Movie Review: 17 Again

Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

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17 Again is a 2009 American comedy film about a 37 year old man who becomes his 17 year old self. It stars Zac Efron & Matthew Perry, with Leslie Mann, Michelle Trachtenberg, Thomas Lennon, Sterling Knight and Melora Hardin. This is Zac Efron's first solo film, after doing the successful High School Musical franchise for Disney. Incidentally, this is also the comeback of former F.R.I.E.N.D.S star Matthew Perry, who was last seen in the short lived TV series Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. 17 Again is produced and released by New Line Cinema, directed by Burr Steers from a screenplay by Jason Filardi.

Synopsis: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron/Matthew Perry) is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett (Leslie Mann) and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon). But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirty something outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

17 Again was hilariously funny! I haven't seen a really good teen movie for some time, and I think 17 Again most definitely is the teen flick of the decade. It is the current generation's answer to Big, and the male answer to Mean Girls. The storyline was very well done and enjoyable. I was pleasantly surprised at this movie. I liked the witty punchlines, and I never felt a single one of it out of place. Zac Efron did a really decent acting job. As Mike O'Donnel/Mark Gould, he played the role with utmost credibility. I honestly thought it would be High School Musical-like performance, but he gave life to the role. If he keeps up the good work and takes it to the next level, he can really be an A list star in the future. Zac is no James McAvoy or Ryan Gosling yet in the acting department but there is potential. No wonder the movie is such a big hit that it is, because one look at Zac's blue eyes is enough to make you weak in the knees. Thomas Lennon, who plays his dorky bestfriend Ned is the life of the movie, what with his ober the top scene-stealers and witty one liners. Surprisingly, Leslie Mann displays great chemistry with Zac, who is years younger than him, and she's understatedly funny, too. I just wished Matthew Perry was given ample screen time since he also plays the older version of the character, but then again, it's a Zac Efron movie, and Matthew Perry still retained the same Chandler Bing quirkiness that we all loved in Friends. Pretty much, 17 Again is a really enjoyable film. It may not be Oscar material, but it was a good film to watch. It is also eyeopening because it exposes alot of teenage issues like bullying, peer pressure, coping with the divorce of parents, blending in with the crowd, cliques and what have yous. If I was given the chance to be 17 Again today, I will still be the same 17 year old I was, only better and more mature.