Movie review: New Year's Eve

Pulling together a symphony of stars and linking their stories could easily be a recipe for disaster.

But director Garry Marshall and writer Katherine Fugate have managed to weave it all together in a wonderful story about the magic of New Year's Eve in New York city.

You can't fail but be impressed by the stars on show: Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Lea Michele (Glee), Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, Ryan Seacrest and Hector Elizondo. Wow!

As the clock counts down to midnight, New York is abuzz with people dreaming about their futures and reflecting on their pasts.

Strangers Randy (Kutcher) and Elise (Michele) are stuck in a lift forcing them to learn about each other's hopes and dreams.

Sam (Duhamel) is rushing into the city hoping the mystery woman he met last New Year's Eve will return this year.

Rock star Jensen (Bon Jovi) is hoping for a second chance with his girl, Laura (Heigl), while Tess (Biel) and Griffin (Seth Meyers) are locked in a battle with another couple to produce the first baby in the hospital to arrive in the new year.

But the most heartwarming of the stories is about Ingrid (Pfeiffer), a 50-something personal assistant who has always been too scared to follow her dreams.

A chance meeting with young courier Paul (Efron) sends the pair on a fulfilling journey.

Ingrid wants to tick off her bucket list and she needs Paul's creative help to do it.

Paul's energy and enthusiasm slowly begin to pulse through Ingrid's veins and she begins to open up and enjoy what life has to offer.

And central to it all is Claire Morgan (Swank), who is in charge of ensuring the giant ball descends on Times Square at midnight.

All these journeys are separate but in some way linked with another story.

I expected a star-studded but disjointed story here, but was more than surprised by the entertainment New Year's Eve brought to the screen.

New Year's Eve

(M), 120 minutes

Stars: 4/5