18 Again! (1988)

A Major Disappointment

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Some people didn't like this film, but I did. It was one of the four body swap comedies that came out in the same 12 months during 1987-1988. I remember them all very well cause I was 12 and 13 then and I was always going to the movies. "18 again" was the second best of the four. ("Vice versa" was best due to very convincing and humorous acting from Fred Savage and Judge Rhinehold when they switch. "Like father, like son" was my least favorite due to very unconvincing and stupid annoying acting from Kirk and Dudley when they switch. And "Big" was Tom Hanks as a 13 year old in a 30 year old body acting more like was 6 instead of 13 when he switched and not acting anything like he did when he was actually 13). George Burns was always a good comedian, and I liked him in the "Oh god" movies. Here he switches places with his 18 year old grandson, Charlie Shlatter. The swap comes after Burn's birthday party when he says how he's happy about how he has everything he wants, except youth. Then, Burns and Charlie, in the car together, have an accident.When he comes to, Charlie in Burn's body, he discovers he's been swapped. He's shocked for a moment, but then he is ecstatic and excited, he has gotten his wish. He goes back to school and things for him change due to Burn's soul now being in Charlie's body. Before, Charlie was always being pushed around by the bullies in his fraternity, and he had no confidence with girls. Now, Burns in Charlie's body, he stands up to those bullies, makes a jerk of a teacher look bad in front of the whole class by outsmarting him and being a wise ass about it. He now, with confidence, improved his track abilities. And he now, with confidence, was able to attract and win the girl he couldn't get when Charlie was Charlie. I also liked the scene when Burns/Charlie throws a roaring 20s style party, but some of that is cause I'm a big fan of movies from Hollywood's golden age. It being an 80s movie though, I am a tad bit curious how a bunch of 80s kids were automatically able to jump into a 20s style party like that, right away knowing all the dance moves and styles from that era. I like how Burns/Charlie's girlfriend dresses and dances just like a flapper (same with all the girls at that party). I also liked how Burns/Charlie mentioned bathtub gin and said "let's roar like the stock market crash is just around the corner". I also liked the scenes of Burns/Charlie and his old friend Red Buttons when he was convincing him what really happened with him and his grandson switching. And I liked their suggestive version of "By the light of the silvery moon" that they had sang many years ago when they were younger. The one thing that bothered me a bit more in this film is how the other half, Charlie in Burn's body, was basically unconscious through most of the movie, since the souls were swapped, and Burn's body was in a coma from the car crash. But I guess it did give us more time to explore the different experiences Burns was having in Charlie's body. Still a good movie.

Shortly after George Burns' 81st birthday he is involved in a terrible car accident with his 18-year-old grandson (Charlie Schlatter) and the two have their souls switched in the venture. Now Schlatter's soul is trapped in Burns' comatose body while Burns' soul is in Schlatter's body (which was not injured in the accident). The typical insanity then takes place as Burns enjoys living in Schlatter's body, but then he realizes that the fun must stop and that he must do what he can to save his grandson's life. A tedious little comedy that just never does work. The formula is just lacking on the silver screen. 2 stars out of 5.

In this delightful fantasy comedy, George Burns plays a 81-year-old bachelor who smokes a lot of cigars. After an involving his grandson, David [Charlie Schlatter] his soul ends up in Charlie's body and Charlie's soul ends up in his body. That is when things start to get a little weird which is one of the many problems I had with this movie. Though a lot a things about this movie annoy and bother, it is pretty funny. George Burns provides loads of laughs in some really fun scenes and Charlie Schlatter makes this movie extremely entertaining. Pauly Shore has a little, but great part as one David's friends. The supporting cast is excellent, the music is fantastic, the movie was shot beautifully, and out of all the other body-switching comedies, this one is by far the best. Compare this to the Corey Haim and Corey Feldman body-switching comedy, DREAM A LITTLE DREAM and 18 AGAIN! looks like a masterpeace. This is actually one of the funniest comedies of the 1980's. I'm surprised that it isn't very popular. It's probably because it is hard to find. I had to go to four different video stores before I could find this, but it was well worth it!!!

This is the best movie of all the switched personality movies. It's so funny because its true! The funniest part was when that old guy did the dance at the party and all the girls wanted to go out with him. I hope I can do that when I'm 81! This is the best thing Charlie Schlater has done since "Fish Police". I think everyone should go out and see "18 Again!", again!