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17 Again (2009)

Director: Burr Steers

Time Out rating

Average user rating

162 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Updating the traditions of bodyswap comedy for teens weaned on ‘High School Musical’, this is light, forgettable but surprisingly well-constructed multiplex fodder. Fired from his job and on the verge of losing his family, middle-aged Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) dreams of the days when he was a high school basketball star. But when an encounter with a janitor transforms him into his 17-year-old self (a winning turn from Zac Efron, below), he finds that life as a teenager isn’t how he remembered it.

With its monochrome morality, nerds v jocks characterisation and narrative nods to John Hughes, this is so ’80s that one expects Judge Reinhold to wander in. But 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.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2016, 9-15 April, 2009

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User reviews of this film

kajal said...

Posted on May 22 2011 06:07 OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING !!!!!!! much better than hsm !!!!!!!!!

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Nkoyo said...

Posted on Aug 11 2009 15:03 Loved it. Expected it too be dull and predictable, it turned out to be funny, interesting, engaging and predictable. Thumbs up to Matthew Perry and Zac Efron. Zac Efron is such a good actor, (i never knew that) , really has a strong prescence even tho he is so good looking and he's sexy as hell.
Wouldnt mind seeing it again.

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lincoln said...

Posted on Aug 02 2009 11:15 it is a great movie. I didn't expect there are going to be a very touching moment (because there are Zac Efron) but surprisingly, he managed to play his character very well

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peaches said...

Posted on Jun 15 2009 09:56 its really good and they should do a 2nd one of it and suck your mum :)

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TAMZIN said...

Posted on Jun 15 2009 09:51 i love it soooooo much its so much better than hsm

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my momma said...

Posted on May 26 2009 18:10 z

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Emma x said...

Posted on May 25 2009 23:18 I Havent Seen ... It But If I Dont Like HSM Is This Not The Film For Me ??

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Sarah said...

Posted on May 25 2009 17:29 was really good film, very funny. If u liked Big or 13 Going on 30 you'll like this too :)

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WOOOO said...

Posted on May 24 2009 19:23 AMAZING!!!!!!!!

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Mother.. said...

Posted on May 15 2009 12:20 This was a great film.loved it so funny. I went to see this film with my little girl and my sis..we all found areselfs laughing all the way though it..and all the way home..great film..

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clover x x said...

Posted on May 14 2009 17:03 what does 12a mean

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Star said...

Posted on May 12 2009 17:13 OMG best film ever and Zac cute as ever.I'm deffo buying it on DVD . And if u don't see it u will regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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megh said...

Posted on May 09 2009 16:55 it was so funny if your wonderin if 2 c it then stop wonderin it sooo funny and zac efron actuly looks good! if any1 has seen it my fave bit is when hes spinning this bullys bball on his lil finger! it so funny! lol

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fiilm luva said...

Posted on May 09 2009 10:34 iis dis a good film goiing 2daii

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morri said...

Posted on May 07 2009 09:29 I saw this film with my daughter. It was brilliant,it's a film you could watch again and again. Turned out to miles better than I anticipated. 10/10..Well done Zak......

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