Seventeen Magazine

On the same day I went to Stout, I also went straight to Emily's school on my way back to the cities, and a couple of hours later, we went to go see 17 Again, which I surprised myself for actually wanting to see. Emily asked if I could write a review of it, even if it's not for the Southerner, and I said sure, so I'm gonna give my best go.

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"17 Again" has many messages: 1. Don't get your girlfriend pregnant, 2. Be nice to the nerdy kid, 3. Zac Efron can apparently do something other than a musical, 4. And don't wait too long, or he'll turn into Matthew Perry (yeah right..)

Mike O'Donnell (Perry) has had to live his life like he never wanted. In a dead end job, getting a divorce, and barely knowing his kids. He get's thrown through some sort of time warp pool, and turns 17, again. Now, a young Mike (Efron) must pose as a new high school student, try to right all his wrongs with his wife (Leslie Mann), get to know his children, and in his spare time show off his killer basketball skills (Troy Bolton, anyone?)

The film relies heavily on comedy brought in by Mike's best friend, Ned (Thomas Lennon). Lennon steals every scene he's in, whether he's being over the top, or just standing there. And speaking of comedy, who know Zac Efron was funny? You did, if you watched him host "Saturday Night Live," but I now wonder if he suddenly lost the ability to sing and dance impecibly, he might be a perfect little comedic actor.

Now to put it simply, for what it is, it's an enjoyable film. Teenage comedies do not have to be directed well, or even be scripted well, which makes "17 Again" fit the bill. But as much as it is a pure Zac Efron guilty pleasure, it's a funny, enjoyable way to throw away your friday night, and to sit back and relax, knowing that dreamy Zac won't really turn into Matthew Perry. But one could only hope he'd still be as humorous.

C+

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This review may not reflect it, but I actually really liked it, surprising even myself. I thought it was funny, but it was kind of lame, and as I said, poorly directed. I think I'm seeing it again tomorrow night again. But there's a specific audience for it, as I'm sure you can gather, so know thine own self.