Jason King17 Again ($14-)
April 19th 2009 03:45
Category: No Category
17 Again ($14-)
A former high school basketball star gets a second shot at life when he's miraculously transformed into a teenager and offered the opportunity to redefine his future. Back in 1989, Mike O' Donnell (Matthew Perry) had it all; not only was the seventeen year old senior the king of the basketball court, but college scouts were circling as well. But just as Mike's future began to glow brighter than ever before, he sacrificed everything in order to stay by his expectant girlfriend Scarlett and be a good father. Nearly twenty years later Mike has just been passed over for a big promotion at work, his marriage is failing, and his teenage kids can't stand him. He has blamed everything on everyone and never forgiven himself for what he missed out on while foolishly ignoring what he has in front of him the whole time. His dreams long gone and his family falling apart, Mike takes to staying with his best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon), a former high school geek turned techno billionaire. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Mike is transported back into his teenage body and given the given the unique opportunity to relive his school days. But while Mike may look seventeen again, his thirty-something outlook at life puts him hopelessly at odds with the class of 2009. When Mike discovers that by attempting to recapture his best years he could risk losing all the best things he ever experienced in life, the time comes to make a decision that could have a drastic impact on both his past, and his future.
What a pleasant Sunday morning surprise film this was. The body transport or swap movie has been done to death and I was expecting much the same as every other one but this was much much more. It was hysterical in parts, strong storyline with a superb cast where Zac Efron manages to carry the entire film and is actually believable as a 37yr old guy in a 17yr old body.
The film is directed by Burr Steers who has written some great stuff including Igby Goes Down (LOVE IT) and How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days. He also directed Igby Goes Down and a few TV show episodes (Weeds, The L Word) and after this he has two in pre production - this should cement his career and get him some more A grade talent for comedies or romantic comedies. It should also be noted he has acted a fair bit with a small role in Pulp Fiction amongst his work. He shows great talent in giving a complete package of Zac and not sidelining the rest of the cast. Zac maybe the main man who is the film but all the other characters held their own and the film comes off as a team effort.
The film is written by Jason Filardi who has not had a huge career but a pretty decent one. He wrote the film Drum (Taye Diggs) and also Bringing Down the House (Steve Martin and Queen Latifah). The film won't win awards for its writing but it will keep teens and adults very happy with a flowing plot that never bores and basically covers nearly everything growing teens need to know. Bullying is bad, follow your dreams no matter what they are, once you have made your bed lie in it and be happy about it, support your friends those weaker than you and have FUN.
Matthew Perry is fine as the older miserable Mike but his character is meant to be boring and hence did not get much out of it besides he did good. I don't know who thought that Zac Efron would look like Matthew Perry when he grew up - to be honest I was picturing Johhny Depp
Both total HOTNESS. Haha The kids (Sterling Knight and Michelle Trachtenberg) are great teenage brats who come around and act their parts well. Thomas Lennon is pure GOLD, he is hysterical as the best friend from high school who was never cool and is fluent in Elvish and sleeps in a Star Wars hover car bed and is worth billions when older. He has a comedic background spanning many years with roles in Reno 911, Hancock & I Love You Man. Leslie Mann is also brilliant, she has this croaky melodic voice that I just love and her subtle comic timing was a perfect match for Zac. She is a comedic veteran starring in The Cable Guy, George of the Jungle, Big Daddy, 40yr Old Virgin and many more. She has this definate cougar quality about her and I could actually feel sexual tension between her and Zac.
And no wonder, as they say in the movie "If that guy was an apple...he would be a delicious" LOL. I think most people would be unnerved being around Zac - he is one of those pin up idols every teenager swoons for. The papers last week described him as this generations answer to the Beatles. He walks past crowds of girls (and single gay men) and they pass out in his wake. But will this be his downfall, will he forever be stuck as the teen idol. Well, hopefully not because this guy's got talent. He can sing, he can dance and he can act damn well. I first noticed Zac on drama TV show Summerland where Jesse McCartney was the lead. Now most people wouldn't even know who Jesse was. Zac on the other hand went the teen movie thing with all the High School Musicals and now this. Similar. Next he was to do the remake of Footloose (similar) but has decided against it to be Johnny Quest in a bit more of an action super hero kind of way. He wants to branch into more areas and diversify his career. What he needs to do is have a talk to Leo and listen to how to make career expanding choices and get talent under his belt. If Zac had the respect of the older generation of film watchers and makers he would be unstoppable. He holds the lead role in this film with ease and the camera eats him and he can charm any audience. But I want something juicy - something arty. Give him to Van Sant or Scorcese to teach him some things and show us what he can do.
As a middle aged man about to hit 37th this year I would like nothing more than to be able to go back and do it all again. Perhaps this was what held the most appeal for me, I could totally relate. But out of all the films out these holidays (I have seen them all and am slowly writing my way through them) this one is worth letting or taking the kids to watch. It is decent, has no swear words and holds a modernised Disney movie quality. Well worth the ticket price. Worth $14-
A former high school basketball star gets a second shot at life when he's miraculously transformed into a teenager and offered the opportunity to redefine his future. Back in 1989, Mike O' Donnell (Matthew Perry) had it all; not only was the seventeen year old senior the king of the basketball court, but college scouts were circling as well. But just as Mike's future began to glow brighter than ever before, he sacrificed everything in order to stay by his expectant girlfriend Scarlett and be a good father. Nearly twenty years later Mike has just been passed over for a big promotion at work, his marriage is failing, and his teenage kids can't stand him. He has blamed everything on everyone and never forgiven himself for what he missed out on while foolishly ignoring what he has in front of him the whole time. His dreams long gone and his family falling apart, Mike takes to staying with his best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon), a former high school geek turned techno billionaire. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Mike is transported back into his teenage body and given the given the unique opportunity to relive his school days. But while Mike may look seventeen again, his thirty-something outlook at life puts him hopelessly at odds with the class of 2009. When Mike discovers that by attempting to recapture his best years he could risk losing all the best things he ever experienced in life, the time comes to make a decision that could have a drastic impact on both his past, and his future.
What a pleasant Sunday morning surprise film this was. The body transport or swap movie has been done to death and I was expecting much the same as every other one but this was much much more. It was hysterical in parts, strong storyline with a superb cast where Zac Efron manages to carry the entire film and is actually believable as a 37yr old guy in a 17yr old body.
The film is directed by Burr Steers who has written some great stuff including Igby Goes Down (LOVE IT) and How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days. He also directed Igby Goes Down and a few TV show episodes (Weeds, The L Word) and after this he has two in pre production - this should cement his career and get him some more A grade talent for comedies or romantic comedies. It should also be noted he has acted a fair bit with a small role in Pulp Fiction amongst his work. He shows great talent in giving a complete package of Zac and not sidelining the rest of the cast. Zac maybe the main man who is the film but all the other characters held their own and the film comes off as a team effort.
The film is written by Jason Filardi who has not had a huge career but a pretty decent one. He wrote the film Drum (Taye Diggs) and also Bringing Down the House (Steve Martin and Queen Latifah). The film won't win awards for its writing but it will keep teens and adults very happy with a flowing plot that never bores and basically covers nearly everything growing teens need to know. Bullying is bad, follow your dreams no matter what they are, once you have made your bed lie in it and be happy about it, support your friends those weaker than you and have FUN.
Matthew Perry is fine as the older miserable Mike but his character is meant to be boring and hence did not get much out of it besides he did good. I don't know who thought that Zac Efron would look like Matthew Perry when he grew up - to be honest I was picturing Johhny Depp
Both total HOTNESS. Haha The kids (Sterling Knight and Michelle Trachtenberg) are great teenage brats who come around and act their parts well. Thomas Lennon is pure GOLD, he is hysterical as the best friend from high school who was never cool and is fluent in Elvish and sleeps in a Star Wars hover car bed and is worth billions when older. He has a comedic background spanning many years with roles in Reno 911, Hancock & I Love You Man. Leslie Mann is also brilliant, she has this croaky melodic voice that I just love and her subtle comic timing was a perfect match for Zac. She is a comedic veteran starring in The Cable Guy, George of the Jungle, Big Daddy, 40yr Old Virgin and many more. She has this definate cougar quality about her and I could actually feel sexual tension between her and Zac.
And no wonder, as they say in the movie "If that guy was an apple...he would be a delicious" LOL. I think most people would be unnerved being around Zac - he is one of those pin up idols every teenager swoons for. The papers last week described him as this generations answer to the Beatles. He walks past crowds of girls (and single gay men
) and they pass out in his wake. But will this be his downfall, will he forever be stuck as the teen idol. Well, hopefully not because this guy's got talent. He can sing, he can dance and he can act damn well. I first noticed Zac on drama TV show Summerland where Jesse McCartney was the lead. Now most people wouldn't even know who Jesse was. Zac on the other hand went the teen movie thing with all the High School Musicals and now this. Similar. Next he was to do the remake of Footloose (similar) but has decided against it to be Johnny Quest in a bit more of an action super hero kind of way. He wants to branch into more areas and diversify his career. What he needs to do is have a talk to Leo and listen to how to make career expanding choices and get talent under his belt. If Zac had the respect of the older generation of film watchers and makers he would be unstoppable. He holds the lead role in this film with ease and the camera eats him and he can charm any audience. But I want something juicy - something arty. Give him to Van Sant or Scorcese to teach him some things and show us what he can do.
As a middle aged man about to hit 37th this year I would like nothing more than to be able to go back and do it all again. Perhaps this was what held the most appeal for me, I could totally relate. But out of all the films out these holidays (I have seen them all and am slowly writing my way through them) this one is worth letting or taking the kids to watch. It is decent, has no swear words and holds a modernised Disney movie quality. Well worth the ticket price. Worth $14-
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
no wonder he can pull of acting like a 37 yo
i actually enjoyed Bringing Down The House as a light comedy, so i think 17 Again could have potential if it is by the same writer
its a very 80s concept though isnt it? like Big or Freaky Friday . . . a fun concept, i would like to see more of it!
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I didn;t mind Bringing Down the House - I love Queen Latifah.
It's fun in a Disney way. Very much like Freaky Friday except no two people swapping - more a growing younger for one person.
It's worth it for the laughs and cheesiness.
Thanks for the comment.
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
It's a cute factor, a cheeky grin and good acting!
Tell her to look out for his next film being made now - Jonny Quest