I don't get her appeal and why she is so lauded in Hollywood.

It's a combination of likeability and being in entertaining films.

I've seen some things she was in but she wasn't the reason I watched them, and she's never exactly 'wowed' me.

I think she stood out in a way at the time, as a loud, confident and somewhat aggressive woman.

She became a big hit after "Pretty woman", then there were a lot of roles coming her way. I think it was about wise choices, as long as her movies were successful more roles would come her way.

Yeah, I agree. I never understood it with her - and indeed the loud, aggressive personality (if this is really her personality) - one found it to be a total turn off. I noticed someone posted she was the hottest actress from 1997-2002. Wow! I don't know where that came from. I can name at least 5 better. But I'll just name my personal fave of the time period - Uma Thurman. Last but not least, I never thought she was much of an actress. Simply put, she never did a thing for me, looks wise, actress wise - or, personality wise (assuming what she puts out to the public isn't manufactured).

I take it you weren't around in the 90s when she was a big deal.

She was seriously hot at her youth

BEAUTIFUL,SMART,TALENTED.

She was a lot of men's types in the 90s. Her acting and looks don't do it for me, but the amount of men who call her "likeable" but really mean, well, to be crass "bangable", was and still is pretty high.