Efron's presence can’t disguise a movie patched together by people who apparently didn’t read beyond the pitch.
17 Again (2009)
Tomatometer
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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
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
Reviews for 17 Again
Though there are mistaken identity moments of mirth, the cheese factor unfortunately lets it down...
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.
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.
Efron's adequate but completely anonymous work keep this from achieving true liftoff.
17 Again is a reasonably entertaining time at the theater, offering something both for youngsters ... and for their parents.
While it's not in the same classic league, the movie has a nice Back to the Future vibe to it.
...ultimately fits comfortably within the pantheon of above-average body-switching comedies.
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.
Zac Efron couldn't ask for a more flattering breakout vehicle than the charming 17 Again
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.
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.
perhaps the movie should be called, "The Film You've Seen 17 Times Before, Again."
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
Finally admit to yourself Zac Efron may just have the stuff to make it big. Do it. Do it NOW.
'17 Again' demonstrates that Effron has rightfully earned some of the rampant adulation that has come his way.
Derivative to be sure, but smarter and funnier than expected with some good life lessons along the way.
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. ![]()
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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