17 Again (2009)

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Considering the fact that the premise of this film (old/young body/soul swapping) has pretty much been done to death in varying decades, "17 Again" is surprisingly effective at rendering the concept funny once again in 2009.For a basic plot summary, this film sees an adult Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) dissatisfied with his life and pining for the promise of his high school career once again. Well, thanks to a magical school janitor (one should always watch out for those characters!), he is put back into the body of his former teen self (Zac Efron) for a "do-over". The "catch", however, is that he is still in the present day (2009), not 1989.The plot of this movie alone lends itself to all sorts of personal and social sight gags, and this movie mines them to their fullest. Seeing Mike trying to weave his way through current high school hallways and scenarios is made entertaining by director Burr Steers. It never gets boring, but also never goes "over the top", either.What really makes "17 Again" a fun watch, however, is the quality of the acting. Though Perry is okay in his relatively brief role, Efron is solid as "young Mike" trying to find his place in today's world. So many viewers can't stand Efron because they view him as a "pretty boy", but in this effort he shows he can act a bit, too. Youngsters Sterling Knight & Michelle Trachtenberg shine in their roles as well. Yet, Thomas Lennon (of Reno 911 fame) nearly steals the show as the goofy nerd sidekick, providing some of the funniest moments of the entire experience.Overall, "17 Again" is a charming little film that can be enjoyed by tweens on up. A few of the jokes and physical humor is a bit "risque", but for the most part it is relatively tame (at least compared to other comedies of the same nature).

This movie was soooo UNfunny in every single scene. This is supposed to be a comedy, let me just tell you it wasn't!! Can't believe this film got 55 out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes! It deserves a lot lower! Personally, not a huge Zac Efron fan, didn't think he did a very good job in the movie. I didn't laugh once!! I was so bored, and I wanted the movie to end a lot sooner than when it finally did! I just think there are a lot better comedies to watch and actually laugh at out there. This movie was a huge disappointment to me, and I'm sure it also disappointed others that saw it! Overall I'll give 17 again a 2/10, seriously you can do better than this mediocre "comedy" movie.

In the year of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a burgeoning basketball stud at high school with the chance for a lucrative future. He gives it all up at 17 years old during the biggest game of his life to take care of his pregnant girlfriend and get married. Years later, their marriage falls apart because Mike whines incessantly about the life he was supposed to have. Scarlet decides to leave him and Mike's life falls apart. Even his kids seem to dislike him. During a visit to his old high school, a mysterious janitor gives Mike the opportunity to be 17 again. Mike ends up taking it and wakes up the next morning as his 17-year-old self. Mike begins to realize that his old life wasn't so bad after all. This was never going to contend for any Oscars, but it was freaking cute! It isn't all that original either. While it is derived from better films, this movie has a charm of its own and hooks you in from the beginning. This movie is aimed for the younger generation, but I feel adults can enjoy this one as well! I wouldn't necessarily call this a family film. There are some disturbing things in this movie! There are slight hints at incest (The storyline between Efron & Trachtenberg is rather creepy, because they are father and daughter) Watching Mike hit on an older Scarlett is a bit inappropriate as well. That being said, It came across as genuine and it's pretty hard to resist. I also questioned how SO MANY people didn't figure out that it was Mike as his younger self. He acts just like him and looks EXACTLY like him. There is a photo in the school hallway with Mike and his basketball team! I'm also positive that Mike would have shown his kids what he looked like when he was younger. I find it hard to believe that a hunk like Efron would look like Matthew Perry as an adult! It's very implausible, but just go with it. It's filled with clever jokes and genuine heart that is hard to find in Hollywood these days. That's why I was happy to put my disbelief aside. Performances are solid. Zac Efron is absolutely winning! He looks to be having fun and loaded with charisma. Hopefully he stays away from substance abuse. The man is talented! Matthew Perry is fun as his older counterpart! He's a tad miscast, but Perry's charisma manages to overcome that. It was nice to see him in a big role. His patented sarcasm is always welcome with me. Leslie Mann is sexy and enjoyable as Scarlett. I wouldn't call her great, but she was entertaining to watch. Thomas Lennon is alternately annoying and amusing as Mike's best friend. Michelle Trachtenberg is cute and a bit creepy in her role, especially in the second half. The ending is typically happy and predictable, but that wasn't a bad thing in this case. It's something I wanted. It's just a great message that proves you should be happy with the good choices that you've made and they've happened for a reason. I enjoy sentimentality, so I dug this movie. It's a little weird at times, but I had a good time. You can try to resist it all you want, but any right person won't be able to. It's just a fun movie that doesn't try to be anything else! I need that sometimes.6.8/10

Don't expect for these types of movies to get 10/10 and have an ultimate story-line to it. However, it's great movie to watch when you have family parties or a hangout with friends. It will give you a good laugh and is entertaining.It's not a bad movie and will keep the audience interested. Go grab some food, come back, and watch it. It's interesting enough to know what's happening and to see it until the end.Also a great movie for almost all ages. I recommend those who are ages 13+ to watch it, not only because it's rated PG-13, but because I think that that age group will be able to understand it and get a good laugh out of it.