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Movies / On DVD / 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.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for language, some sexual material and teen partying.

Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:10-04-2009

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 fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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17 Again is good-humoured, pacy and exactly the right kind of entertainment for its target audience.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
04/17/09
This is London

The surprise factor is that the film has just enough charm and good humour in its own right to broaden that demographic to a wider, recession-hit audience in search of undemanding, feel-good fun.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
04/14/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Screen International

The situation is cleverly exploited for light laughs and the kind of sunny, undemanding entertainment that is easy to consume.

Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
04/17/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

Here’s the shocker: 17 Again is actually pretty good.

Full Review Source: SFX Magazine | comment Comment
04/09/09
Andrew Osmond
Andrew Osmond
SFX Magazine

A decent time-passer for adults, and essential for any girl under 12.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/17/09
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's silly, but the generational love matches it entrains.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
04/17/09
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

Amusing, wholesome fun for young teenage swooners who will squirm with horror at the adults who ought to know better.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
04/09/09
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Enjoyable, frequently funny body swap comedy with likeable characters, a decent script and a superb central performance from Zac Efron.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
04/09/09
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Despite the predictable body-shifting premise and a heavy dose of sentimentality, this teen comedy is extremely enjoyable

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment 2 Comments
04/24/09
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Three stars for its undemanding fun and occasional wry barb about lost youth. But, add one or even two more stars depending on how much bedroom wall space Zac currently commands.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
04/09/09
Rob Daniel
Rob Daniel
Sky Movies

A very enjoyable, and often fantastically funny, teen movie.

Full Review Source: News of the World | comment Comment
04/09/09
Robbie Collin
Robbie Collin
News of the World

Zac has star quality and it starts to shine here. He’s got an exciting future ahead of him – and it’s not just amongst the tween audience.

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment Comment
04/09/09
Simon Thompson
Simon Thompson
Heart 106.2

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
04/23/09
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The leads are charming, the comedy well judged and the script, however predictable, sure-footed, playing on notions of midlife nostalgia with grace and integrity.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
04/09/09
Tom Huddlestone
Tom Huddlestone
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

17 Again is a triumph of casting genius to rival the Davis/Crawford pairing in Baby Jane.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment Comment
04/09/09
Victor Olliver
Victor Olliver
Teletext

17 Again is meant to be a comedy but remains mostly mirth-free.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
04/17/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Check out 17 Again, an age-swap comedy co-starring Matthew Perry, only if you have daughters who will kill for a sight of heartthrob Zac Efron.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment 1 Comment
04/09/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

I found him a sympathetic, and strangely believable, middle-aged dad.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
04/17/09
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

The ancient body-switching premise is animated by a breezy script that briefly addresses some of its darker implications before returning to a celebration of adolescence.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
04/16/09
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

A delightful, crowd-pleasing comedy radiating with a charismatic performance by Zac Efron. It's pure, undiluted fun.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
04/16/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for 17 Again

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