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Steven Spielberg has proven himself to be equally adept at at number of different genres, but comedy has been the one genre wherein success eluded him - "1941", his one flat-out comedy, was also his one complete artistic failure. "Hook" was a largely comic fantasy, but was neither entirely a comedy nor entirely successful (though it is a better film than some of it's most vocal detractors have implied). "Catch Me If You Can" was, before now, the closest Steven had come to comic success - but that excellent film is really as much drama as comedy.

While "The Terminal" has been marketed as a comedy-drama, this really is a true comedy, with some dramatic elements. Unfortunately, our society has been dumbed down to the point where people think comedy means "Austin Powers". Here, Spielberg had succeeded completely at creating another classic, and Tom Hanks creates the most endearing character he has played since "Forrest Gump". "The Terminal" is hilarious, touching, fast-moving and entertaining, and the biggest stretch Spielberg has faced since "Schindler's List". It is one of his most character driven works to date.

Sadly, we have reached an appalling mentality among many filmgoers, especially those who congregate on the internet, wherin any upbeat movie that makes you feel good is trashed, regardless of quality. Anyone of even moderate intelligence realizes that there is room for many types films, and a truly well-made "feel good" movie which is not shamelessly manipulative or contrived can be a great thing, which is exactly what "The Terminal" is, along with being the best film of the summer.

Watching "13 Going on 30", it's hard not mental view a different movie at the same time. That movie is, of course, Penny Marshall's 1988 hit "Big", which made a star out of Tom Hanks, bringing him his first Academy Award nomination. The new Jennifer Garner vehicle is clearly a remake of the Hanks vehicle with the genders reversed - and that's okay, since "Big" was really just a variation on an old theme to begin with. But "Big" transcended the genre with an intelligent, soulful script, and by allowing Hanks character to develop fully.

"13 Going on 30" is not a classic the way "Big" was. Jennifer Garner displays again that she has as much charisma and star prescence as any actress in Hollywood. She's already proven she can kick butt as well as an y Hollywood action star, now she proves can do light romantic comedy as well as Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock or anyone else. There is no limit to how far she may go. Sadly, the script does not give her the opportunity to shine the way Hanks did in "Big". While she succeeds admirable at making us believe she is a 13-year old girl in a woman's body, we never see or feel what's going on inside as much as we would like. In "Big", the character grew and evolved - a kid in an adult's world, learning to become an adult so well he almost forgets he's a kid. In "13 Going on 30", she's just a kid. Again, this is not Garner's fault - she does the best she can with an adequate but uninspired (and woefully predictable) script which overplays using '80s music and hairstyles as a punchline.

WHat depth the film does have is provided by the relationship between Graner and Mark Ruffalo, who plays the childhood pal who had an unreciprocated crush on her. There is genuine warmth and sweetness between the characters, and Ruffalo really manages to shine in a fairly simplistic role.

Overall, "13 Going on 30" is worth a look for Garner fans, and for anyone seeking a pleasant (if not really satisfying) diversion. But it you want to see a really good movie on the same thing, "Big" is still miles ahead.

**1/2 out of ****

While Peter Weir's adaptation of Patrick O'Bian's superb novels strays from the source material, combining multiple novels into one, along with some material of it's own invention, it brillaintly captures the spirit of the books. Let's remember that there are 17 Aubrey/Maturin novels - Filming al of them ala Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" would have been absurdly impractical, if not downright impossible. I believe this film gives you a better sense of the overall series than simply doing a straightoforward adaptation of "Master and Commander" (the first novel) would have, and simply doing a completely straightfoward adaptation of "The Far Side of the World" (the tenth novel) may have been too confusing to audiences.

Crowe and Bettany are excellent in their respective roles. Crowe IS the Captain Jack Aubrey of O'Brian's novels come to life, in every respect. Bettany may not look like O'Brian's description of Stephen Maturin, but I can't imagine another actor capturing the soul of the character so well.

Weir's direction is flawless - who knew we was as good with action as with characters?

Patrick O'Brian wrote some of the greatest adventure novels ever put on paper, and Peter Weir turned them into one of the greatest adventure movies ever put on film.