17 Again DVD Review
SoHood.com Reviewed by: Michelle Thomas
Movie Rating:  4.5 out of 5
Extras Rating: 5 out of 5

What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) 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 and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike’s (Mattew Perry) glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett (Leslie Mann) 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. 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 thirtysomething 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.

Zac Efron stars as Mike whose loved by most girls and hated by most guys but surprisingly delivers in 17 Again. As the title suggests, the film plays off like a reverse movie of Big with Zac in the place of Tom Hanks. Mike is a troubled husband and father who thanks to a mystical janitor at his old High School, he is then transformed to his 17-year-old self in order to help his kids and save his marriage. How did this all happen? Well, Mike saw the janitor in a highway bridge about to jump into the water when Mike was thrust into a bizarre worm hole.

Meanwhile, his rich and nerdy best friend is on a mission to win the heart of his high school principal. Watching this film brings back memories of my high school days. You had the nerds trying to fit in and jocks, cheerleaders who got all the attention. It was nice to  watch Zac Efron really show that he can act and commands a presence on screen.

Obviously, 17 Again has some predictability to it but thanks to Zac Efron it sells its Kid-in-form-of-adult premise. Some jokes are surprisingly very funny but it takes a rocky start to reach them. All and all, 17 Again is fun for teens and good for a decent chuckle for anyone else.