17 Again

A variation on the body-swap comedies of yesteryear—see Vice Versa, both Freaky Fridays and the similarly titled 18 Again!—Zac Efron’s new picture concerns Mike O' Donnell, a not-so-successful middle-aged man (Friends’ Matthew Perry) who wishes he could revisit his high school glory days. His wish comes true with one caveat: Instead of returning to his senior year, he gets his senior-year body back.

Rather than try to explain his predicament to his soon-to-be-ex-wife (Leslie Mann, of Knocked Up), O’Donnell enrolls in school alongside his two kids, hoping for another shot at a basketball scholarship to college. Although he has no problem getting back on the team, he finds fitting in doesn’t come as easily.

Watching 17 Again, it’s hard not to wonder if Zac Efron has a clause in his contract that states he must play at least one scene of shirtless basketball per film. In many ways, O’Donnell is indistinguishable from Efron’s other well-known free-throwing persona, Troy Bolton of the High School Musical trifecta. Both guys are major sports stars beloved by their peers and girlfriends. Seeing Efron in baggy jeans and over-the-top bling, throwing around the word dope is amusing, but it isn’t long before his new classmates accept him based on his pretty-boy looks. A few icky scenes where O’Donnell’s daughter (Michelle Trachtenberg) hits on him are awkward to sit through, but fortunately they don’t last long.

The relationship that might also have seemed creepy—between Efron and Mann—winds up being the highlight of the film. Noticing a similarity between her husband in his youth and her son’s new "friend," she finds herself falling in love, just as she did 20 years earlier. Efron does a surprisingly good job playing a mature leading man, and the couple have great chemistry.

A few scenes where sex is (not explicitly) discussed and some mild language earn the film its PG-13 rating. Kids older than 12 should be able to handle it, and parents will be entertained by this short trip that teaches viewers to have no regrets.—Kay Boatner

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