Johnny Simmons

Against what I’d like to call my better judgement I decided that I would watch 17 Again, Zac Efron Movie. Well the Zac Efron, Matthew Perry and Leslie Mann movie. It was surprisingly good. Sure this has been done before a lot, the body switching [Freaky Friday, Back to the Future, etc]. And this neither reinvents nor transcends that well worn theme. But it’s a pleasant film. I really was surprised. I mean I was expecting this film to make me cringe. In addition, I’m so glad to see Leslie Mann, who I think is a great and underrated actress, can play something other than a demented shrew. And it’s so good to Matthew Perry [the best friend second only to Ms. Kudrow] is back on the silver screen.

                                           

Zac Efron was something of a revelation. I hated High School Musical [the first one is the only one I dared experience]. He was trite bordering on boring in Hairspray, but he’s quite good in this. The early scenes when he’s young are a bit docile but when he is reborn it gets better. There were a few moments I really felt like it was Matthew Perry. He didn’t do as well as Lindsay playing a grownup. But he was good. Okay maybe that’s pushing it…he was fine… Now I hope that he can keep it up. I really hope he can become a better actor.

                               

Sterling Knight playing Efron’s son [just had to write that] is somewhat impressive. And although Michelle Tratchenberg’s storyline is weak…I like her…so…I didn’t really care. She does her typical teenage angst thing, but it doesn’t weaken the film. The character is particularly underwritten though. Leslie Mann of course does good work in her throwaway role. But she does what she’s supposed to and she does it well.

                                              

I couldn’t help but smile at the amount of fanboy quotes from The Lord of the Rings. God, I am hopeless.

                           

And God, this film is so old…why am I reviewing it now…?

C+