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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 date; UK critics are listed first)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
3/5

Rich Cline

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

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Apr., 24 2009 01:43 AM

Shadows on the Wall

tomato
3/5

Tim Robey

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 03:16 AM

Daily Telegraph

tomato
3/5

Anna Smith

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 05:12 AM

Empire Magazine

splat
2/5

David Edwards

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 03:36 AM

Daily Mirror [UK]

tomato
3/5

Anthony Quinn

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:51 AM

Independent

tomato
3/5

Allan Hunter

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:28 AM

Daily Express

tomato
3/5

17 Again is good-humoured, pacy and exactly the right kind of entertainment for its target audience.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:14 AM

This is London

tomato

Allan Hunter

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 14 2009 04:36 PM

Screen International

tomato
3/6

Tom Huddlestone

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:38 AM

Time Out

tomato
3/5

James Christopher

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:28 AM

Times [UK]

tomato
3/5

Rob Daniel

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:17 AM

Sky Movies

tomato
7/10

Simon Thompson

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:58 AM

Heart 106.2

tomato
8/10

Victor Olliver

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:55 AM

Teletext

splat
2/5

Nigel Andrews

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: | comment 1 Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:54 AM

Financial Times

tomato
4/5

Andrew Osmond

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:31 AM

SFX Magazine

tomato
3/5

Matthew Turner

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:20 AM

ViewLondon

tomato
4/5

Robbie Collin

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:10 AM

News of the World

tomato
2.5/4

Matt Soergel

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 10 2009 11:06 AM

Florida Times-Union

splat
2/4

Michael Dequina

Efron's adequate but completely anonymous work keep this from achieving true liftoff.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 31 2009 01:59 AM

TheMovieReport.com

tomato
2.5/4

Sonny Bunch

17 Again is a reasonably entertaining time at the theater, offering something both for youngsters ... and for their parents.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2009 12:01 PM

Washington Times

 
 
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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. Opens in new window
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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