13 Going On 30

The carefully choreographed trajectory of Jennifer Garner's career takes an important step with her first leading role in a major mainstream film, and it's a trick she pulls off with wide-eyed glee. Garner — best known for kicking weekly ass as sexy spy Sydney on Alias — takes on this Big-for-girls gig with such verve that she pulls the rest of the movie along for the ride. Playing a 13-year-old who wakes up 17 years in the future as a successful, albeit obnoxious, New York magazine editor, Garner manages to skewer the careerism that clearly got her there, and skirt issues of sexual inexperience with scenes of giggly awkwardness instead of gross creepiness. Sure the movie is occasionally dumb and formulaic — from Andy Serkis's gay managing editor to a high school best friend rivalry — but Garner is having such a good time that you feel like a grump sulking through it. On DVD the film packs in some fun-time featurettes, like everyone's geek past (Garner? Marching band geek) and nearly 20 deleted and expanded scenes, most of the "shopping/dressing/learning montage accompanied by hit song" variety (but without the song). The making of featurette is pretty rote, sure, and one must doubt if 13 Going On 30 really needs full-length commentary from both the director and the producer, but if you find Garner's giggle infectious, you'll find yourself unable to resist her charms. Plus: blooper reel, "Love Is A Battlefield" and "Jessie's Girl" videos, "'80s Outfit Challenge," more. (Columbia Tristar)