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Movies / Upcoming / 17 Again
17 Again

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17 Again (2009)

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Reviews Counted:135

Fresh:78

Rotten:57

Average Rating:5.5/10

Consensus: Though it uses a well-worn formula, 17 Again has just enough Zac Efron charm to result in a harmless, pleasurable teen comedy.

Australian Rating: PG [See Full Rating] Mild sexual references, violence and coarse language

Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

Genre: Comedies

Australian Theatrical Release:
Apr 7, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $64,087,443

Synopsis: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) is a star on the high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future... What would you do if you got a second shot at life?

Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) is a star on the 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 Scarlet and the baby he just learned they are expecting.

Almost 20 years later, Mike's (Matthew Perry) glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlet (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 (Thomas Lennon).

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 among the class of 2009.

And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

New Line Cinema Presents An Offspring Entertainment production, 17 Again, starring Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin and Matthew Perry.

The film is directed by Burr Steers from a screenplay by Jason Filardi. The producers are Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot. Toby Emmerich, Mark Kaufman, Keith Goldberg and Jason Barrett are the executive producers, with Dara Weintraub serving as co-producer.

The behind-the-scenes creative team is led by director of photography Tim Suhrstedt, production designer Garreth Stover, editor Padraic McKinley and costume designer Pamela Withers Chilton. The music is composed and conducted by Rolfe Kent, and the music supervisor is Buck Damon.

17 Again will be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. --© Warner Bros [More]

Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon

Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin

Director: Burr Steers

Director: Burr Steers
Screenwriter: Jason Filardi
Producer: Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot
Composer: Rolfe Kent
Studio: New Line Cinema

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for 17 Again

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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Efron's presence can’t disguise a movie patched together by people who apparently didn’t read beyond the pitch.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia | comment Comment
05/06/09
Luke Goodsell
Luke Goodsell
Empire Magazine Australasia
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though there are mistaken identity moments of mirth, the cheese factor unfortunately lets it down...

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
04/10/09
Rhiannon Sawyer
Rhiannon Sawyer
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Being 17 has never been so enticing! Guaranteed to lift your spirits, make you laugh and charm your socks off, this body switch comedy is wild, wacky and wonderful. If the crazy situations and characters don't suck you in, charismatic Zac Efron will.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
04/04/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It knows it has one thing going for it: teen idol Zac Efron. So it shows off that boy from beginning to end: shaggy hair, dreamy eyes, etc. ... '17 Again' is a virtual Efronathon, and I can't imagine his fans complaining.

Full Review Source: Florida Times-Union | comment Comment
09/10/09
Matt Soergel
Matt Soergel
Florida Times-Union

Efron's adequate but completely anonymous work keep this from achieving true liftoff.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
08/31/09
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

17 Again is a reasonably entertaining time at the theater, offering something both for youngsters ... and for their parents.

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
08/30/09
Sonny Bunch
Sonny Bunch
Washington Times

While it's not in the same classic league, the movie has a nice Back to the Future vibe to it.

Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | comment Comment
08/15/09
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

...ultimately fits comfortably within the pantheon of above-average body-switching comedies.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/14/09
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Efron, whose biggest onscreen drawback is his ever-changing '60s mod hairdo, owns almost every moment, milking the minimal laughs available while playing up the material's maudlin strengths.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
08/09/09
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
PopMatters

It's cute and sweet and generally inoffensive.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
08/09/09
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

Zac Efron couldn't ask for a more flattering breakout vehicle than the charming 17 Again

Full Review Source: What Would Toto Watch? | comment Comment
08/07/09
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
What Would Toto Watch?

I'd never be 17 again.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment 1 Comment
08/03/09
Kamal  'The Diva' Larsuel
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review

17 Again manages to squeeze more than a little life from the old "switch-movie" trope, along the way transforming itself into a sweet and amusing comedy.

Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
07/24/09
Mike Scott
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune

17 Again manages to be very sweet and romantic for the most part, and despite the fetishizing of living in the past, it really more about being responsible for one's choices and grateful for what one has.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
05/31/09
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

perhaps the movie should be called, "The Film You've Seen 17 Times Before, Again."

Full Review Source: Sean the Movie Guy | comment Comment
05/25/09
Sean McBride
Sean McBride
Sean the Movie Guy

Mesa mesa sto syrfeto ton klise, an ton antekseis, ehei stigmes aprosdokita (kai abola) komikes, haritomena (kai sygkratimena) paihnidia me MILFs kai cougars kai ermineies kalodehoymena aksioprepeis

Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment 2 Comments
05/10/09
Joseph Proimakis
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses

Finally admit to yourself Zac Efron may just have the stuff to make it big. Do it. Do it NOW.

Full Review Source: The Movie Kit | comment 1 Comment
05/04/09
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
The Movie Kit

'17 Again' demonstrates that Effron has rightfully earned some of the rampant adulation that has come his way.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/03/09
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com

Derivative to be sure, but smarter and funnier than expected with some good life lessons along the way.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
05/01/09
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

You won't see much new, but you'll enjoy every moment of it.

Full Review Source: Gazette (MD) | comment Comment
05/01/09
Jeffrey Lyles
Jeffrey Lyles
Gazette (MD)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Latest News for 17 Again

August 10, 2009: RT on DVD: A Sweet I Love You, Man Deleted Scene, Zooey Deschanel's Latest, and More
You're in for some sweet, sweet movie watching this week, starting with the latest in bromantic comedies (I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel). Those with a High... More...

April 20, 2009: Tune In to the Rotten Tomatoes Show This Week!
This week, The Rotten Tomatoes Show will be looking at the movies that opened over the weekend, with help from you (the Rotten Tomatoes community), the Current TV community, and... More...

April 20, 2009: Zac Efron enjoys breakout role in Hollywood's latest time-travel adventure. Opens in new window
More...

April 19, 2009: Box Office Wrapup: Zac Attacks #1 Spot with 17 Again
This weekend Zac Efron scored his second number one opener in six months as his non-musical high school comedy 17 Again debuted powerfully in the top spot to lead the North... More...

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