We’ve seen variations on the body-swapping concept over and over and over again in many flicks, . Think of it as Big or 13 going on 30, Freaky Friday only in reverse.
To be true I went to see it because of Matthew Perry. I’ve loved him since F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and I think he’s awesome.
17Again" doesn’t break any new ground, but neither is it an embarrassment. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s very witty with good acting and good characters.
The Plot:
Movie starts off with Zac Efron in yr 1989 getting ready for the big game. College scouts are in the crowd and tonight is his ticket to college scholarship, On the day the scouts were at the school to watch a game, he found out his girlfriend was pregnant and left the game to declare his love for her and propose marriage.
Fast forward it 20 yrs:Matthew Perry plays Mike O’Donnell, a father of two who’s just lost his job and is about to be divorced. from wife Scarlet ( played by Leslie Mann), who’s fed up with him for incessantly living in the past.
The only one who cares about him is his lifelong buddy, Ned (Thomas Lennon). He returns to his old high school and is reliving his glory days, when he blew his chance at a basketball scholarship to college.
While looking at a photo of his old team, he meets a janitor who says he bets Mike would like to be back in high school.
Later on, in "It’s a Wonderful Life" style (I prefer to think of this as an homage rather than a rip-off), Mike sees the janitor jump off of a bridge and jumps in to save him. Mike climbs out of the water, and he’s Zac Efron, something I’m sure a lot of both old and young men wish could happen to them. He soon realizes he hasn’t been given this gift to re-do his life.
He’s 17 Again and into high school with his own kids (Michelle Trachtenberg and Sterling Knight). That’s where the whiny Mike faces his responsibilities – the daughter making poor choices, the secretly bullied son who needs a male role model.
Efron sells the kid-playing-adult values stuff amusingly, turning sex-ed class into an abstinence lecture aimed at his daughter-classmate.
Efron strike up chemistry with his soon to be separated wife, , particularly in an impromptu dancing/ wooing scene.
Young Mike still loves Scarlett, and she’s attracted to the boy who resembles her husband back in the day while simultaneously being horrified by the cougary aspects of her feelings. And eventually Mike’s daughter realizes the guy trying to lure her from the bad boy is, you know, really cute, which leads to a few extremely awkward moments.
Most of the laughs are generated by Thomas Lennon (ned), memorabilia-loving buddy, who is persuaded to pose as Mike’s father whenhis pal re-enrolls in high school. I will not describe what happens thefirst time they go out to dinner, except to say that it’s comic genius, perfectly played by Melora Hardin and Thomas Lennon.
My fav Scene:: The scene where efron gushes out his loveand affection for his wife whilst in court - supposedly reading from aletter - is one where he nails the empathy required. His tears and redeyes and demeanour manage to create a genuine heart-breaking moment.
Do watch the flick, , its worth a watch, the slapping phase of zac was lol. The actors in this movie are verymuch casted well. Leslie Mann is a beautiful Scarlet.
17 Again manages to be warm, occasionally genuine and a benign pleasure.You’ll watch it, enjoy it and promptly forget about it. What you won’t forget however, is the film’s star. He’s going to be around for many years to come.
Zac Efron is fun to watch as is the entire movie
Director Burr Steers has given us much more a yummy piece of candy than a five star meal, but if you’re looking for a tasty dessert with a side of movie star in the making, go see 17 Again.