Indicators of the dearth of originality are already in evidence this week. The fourth instalment in an action franchise and a remake of a once cherished cult kids classic. So it’s wise to approach 17 Again with plenty of caution.
For one, it is based on a premise that has been re-configured more times than Mickey Rourke’s face. What if you got to be young again? You can reel off a list topped with the classic BIG, Vice Versa, 13 Going on 30, both versions of Freaky Friday, and now this.
Secondly, it is the first star vehicle for that generator of a million audience squeals, and an icon of first crushes for so many backpack wearing, pocket money spending girls, Mr Zac Efron. Talk about a demographically dictated movie.
Now the real twist comes with the knowledge that your reviewer is well outside that target audience, the antithesis in fact, but is more than happy to report that this is thoroughly unoriginal, highly enjoyable entertainment, and there might very well be something to this Efron kid after all.
Mike O’Donnell’s (Matthew Perry) life didn’t turn out as he’d hoped. A high school legend on the basketball court, he gave it all up for his pregnant girlfriend. Twenty years later and on the verge of divorce, he is magically (substitute for ridiculously) given the chance to re-live his youth again in the body of Efron.
The movie succeeds mainly thanks to the universally excellent ensemble. Efron is a comfortable comedic lead performer, here indicating a career beyond lunchbox stickers and T-shirts is achievable. Perry is, well, Matthew Perry, drenched in sarcasm and utterly adequate as a man suffering life’s familiar obstacles. There is no doubt that the real star of 17 Again is Thomas Lennon as Mike’s geeky, Lord of the Rings obsessed friend. Getting all of the big laughs he easily sweeps the movie from under Efron’s dancing feet.
It’s obvious, but has a genuinely human core to its formulaic message, and look past the awful posters and your own preconceptions and it’s surprisingly funny. Recommended.
[etRating value=“ 3”]
For one, it is based on a premise that has been re-configured more times than Mickey Rourke’s face. What if you got to be young again? You can reel off a list topped with the classic BIG, Vice Versa, 13 Going on 30, both versions of Freaky Friday, and now this.
Secondly, it is the first star vehicle for that generator of a million audience squeals, and an icon of first crushes for so many backpack wearing, pocket money spending girls, Mr Zac Efron. Talk about a demographically dictated movie.
Now the real twist comes with the knowledge that your reviewer is well outside that target audience, the antithesis in fact, but is more than happy to report that this is thoroughly unoriginal, highly enjoyable entertainment, and there might very well be something to this Efron kid after all.
Mike O’Donnell’s (Matthew Perry) life didn’t turn out as he’d hoped. A high school legend on the basketball court, he gave it all up for his pregnant girlfriend. Twenty years later and on the verge of divorce, he is magically (substitute for ridiculously) given the chance to re-live his youth again in the body of Efron.
The movie succeeds mainly thanks to the universally excellent ensemble. Efron is a comfortable comedic lead performer, here indicating a career beyond lunchbox stickers and T-shirts is achievable. Perry is, well, Matthew Perry, drenched in sarcasm and utterly adequate as a man suffering life’s familiar obstacles. There is no doubt that the real star of 17 Again is Thomas Lennon as Mike’s geeky, Lord of the Rings obsessed friend. Getting all of the big laughs he easily sweeps the movie from under Efron’s dancing feet.
It’s obvious, but has a genuinely human core to its formulaic message, and look past the awful posters and your own preconceptions and it’s surprisingly funny. Recommended.
[etRating value=“ 3”]
