17 Again" has been done before in "Big", "13 Going On 30" and one of my favorite movies, "The Kid". That being said: I really liked "17 Again". This is a star vehicle for teen heart-throb Zac Efron. Okay, the movie opens cheesy with ripped Efron shooting baskets in 1989 as high school star point guard Mike O'Donnell, highly recruited by colleges. Efron also impresses in a dance number with the cheerleaders. It's a good kind of cheese.
In director Burr Steers and writer Jason Filardi's "17 Again" older Mike (sympathetic Matthew Perry) gets a chance to be 17 again with the assistance of spiritual guide Janitor (Brian Doye-Murray). Efron is really good here displaying charm, humor, and surprising depth and compassion. There is a scene where the young Mike (Efron) consoles his daughter Maggie (vulnerable Michelle Trachtenberg) over her heartbreak, "When you're young everything seems like it's the end of the world, but it's not…" "17 Again" has a certain bitter sweet and affirming resonance. In a light hearted way "17 Again" is about the choices we make in life and how we foster greatness for the ones we love. "17 Again" works, because of the solid Efron and the amazing Leslie Mann as Mike's estranged wife Scarlett.
Mike (Perry) is currently living with his wealthy high school bud Ned (hysterical Thomas Lennon). Ned is the genius, who invented the software that prevents music piracy, and also the guy who made piracy possible. Mike's wife Scarlett (Leslie Mann) has filed for divorce, and he barely knows his two teenage kids Maggie (Trachtenberg) and Alex (Sterling Knight). Mike has a job he hates. After a devastating day at work Mike visits his high school that Maggie and Alex now attend. He expresses his yearning to be 17 again in his glory days to the Janitor (Doyle-Murray). Having ice cream with his kids, he finds out the Maggie got into Georgetown and Alex lies to him about trying out for the basketball team.
There is a wonderful scene as Leslie Mann discards Mike's belongings in a wood chipper. Mike confesses, "I have been so disappointed with my life…" Mann's Scarlett has had to endure this for 18 years of marriage. Mike said he felt obligated. Broken hearted Scarlett concedes, "Don't do me any favors." From here "17 Again" charts a familiar course as Mike becomes the 17 year-old Efron. What keeps it in engaging is Mike's epiphany that his travel back is really about "helping Alex and Maggie". Mike discovers that Alex is a punching boy for bully Stan (jerky Hunter Parrish), who is captain of the basketball team. Stan is also Maggie's boyfriend. Alex is really a great kid with a good 3 point shot, and sweet on head cheerleader Nicole (pretty Josie Lopez). Maggie is the smart and big hearted teen defining herself in the world. Both Knight and Trachtenberg are authentic and very good.
The supporting performances are strong. Thomas Lennon as Ned is hilarious and charmingly nerdy. His Jedi Knight duel with young Mike (Efron) is hysterical. Ned also poses as Mike's Dad. Ultimately this works as he pursues the affections of the stunning and funny Melora Hardin as Principal Masterson. I was dying when Lennon and Hardin were talking in Tolkien Elfish at dinner.
We stick with the movie, because of Efron and Mann, who are compelling and display a goofy and touching chemistry. Efron is good looking and charming. Mann is smart, sexy, and funny. There is a funny sequence as Mann tells Efron that she is not into the whole "cougar" and "Mothers I like to…" deal. Efron has a moment of solace as his Mike sees the beautiful garden Scarlett designed. The two have a lot of fun with an inappropriate tango of sorts. It's this kind of spirit, fun and touching humanity that make "17 Again" so entertaining and worth watching.
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