Mike O'Donnell is a man whom life has passed by. But, upon falling through some sort of crack in time, he discovers that he has the chance to start a fresh life because he's 17 Again. Who says you're only young once?
Oh yes giggling fan girls, it's Zac Efron! "Oh he's so pretty!" In case you couldn't hear it, there was sarcasm in that statement. I don't swing the Zac way. The obviously pretty isn't my style. But after seeing this movie, I do have a new appreciation for him. NOT because I think he's attractive, but because he is quite a talented actor.
Mike O'Donnell is a man who is severely disappointed with the way his life has turned out. He believes that making one decision at 17 has sent his life completely downhill. Back in his day, he was captain of the high school basketball team and had the potential to play professionally, be a super sports star, all that jazz. But he threw it all away didn't he? Now, twenty years later, he is moving nowhere in his job, he and his wife are getting a divorce, he has been kicked out of the house, and his two teenage kids want nothing to do with him. Glumly wishing that he could relive the glory days of 1989, Mike falls off a bridge through some sort of crack in time and before he knows it, he's 17 again!
It may be a story that has been done and shaped time and time again, but this was actually a really clever little film. It got me at the lightsaber fight between young Mike and his best mate.
Zac Efron was really funny. Between his fits of yelling and "freaking out" to his almost "cougar-hunting", he was a complete delight to watch the entire way through.
I have to draw special attention to the funny details of the movie though. Any film tragic would find this movie hugely entertaining, mainly because of the character of Ned, Mike's best mate. Ned is a rich dork. He is simply adorkable! See what I did there? His house is filled with props and toys and statues. He has a Darth Vader and a Yoda in his hallway. He has a red and a blue lightsaber. He speaks Elvish. And his bed is modelled to look exactly like Luke Skywalker's land speeder in Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope. How freaking awesome is that! This is my true tragic nature coming out now.
The script was really clever too. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but there's a famous Back to the Future line it the film. Watch and see if you can work out where. And all the actors were great. The kid who played Alex, Mike's son, was wonderful, a complete sweetie. And the girl who played Maggie, Mike's daughter, is totally gorgeous.
Packed with time travel, spirit guides, lightsaber duels, Excalibur, lots of love and lots of laughs, 17 Again was a really clever little comedy that will have you laughing every time. Each time you watch it, you find a new layer of humour. Priceless.
"It's freaking me out! I'm pubescent!"
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