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Bookmark this page17 Again (2009)
Director: Burr Steers
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
User reviews of this film
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- jaspreet said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 21:38 i luv th film and i luve zac ha was GREEEEEATTTTTTT+
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- Doctor Zed said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 17:18 A surprisingly good film which was a first class choice for a rainy bank holiday. My kids are HSM fans and are only 9 and 6 but they loved the film. Although there are a few moments which I felt unconfortable them watching.
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- CharlieWWH said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 10:27 i loved this film sooooooooooo much n i would deffo go n c it again!!! Zac Efron is a complete fitty n ws soooooooo funny!?! lol xx
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- lollipop354 said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 09:44 This film is absolutely fab, well recommended for people with a good sense of humour!! Alot better than I thought it would be!!!!!!!
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- coco said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 09:23 its really funny ive seen it and i want to see it again
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- Emma said...
- Posted on May 03 2009 18:34 This film made my day yesterday. Went to see it with my cousin. We both laughed, a lot
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- BOO!!!!! i love j.H 4eva said...
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Posted on May 02 2009 19:01
this is a great movie, easy to follow & soo Sooo sooo Funny!!! =D
u have to watch it, its hard to say how good it is!! x - Report as inappropriate
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- Annie Mack said...
- Posted on May 02 2009 10:29 As a 40 something wanting to see a light film to bring a bit of cheer this seemed to fit the bill. I knew it was going to be the standard body swap formula but was pleasantly surprised by the whole thing. I laughed out loud on a number of occassions and was impressed by the attention to detail. 'Uncle Ned' was a scream. It did what hoped - it left me with a smile on my face! Will add it to my rainy sunday afternoon dvd collection when it is released.
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- hannah campbell said...
- Posted on May 01 2009 20:44 zaci s a fitty and sexy the movie is so good i was lafing all trhe time lov hannah xx
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- hannah said...
- Posted on May 01 2009 18:48 I thought it woould have been better I say it was just a wee bit better than hsm and that is telling you something and I would not buy it on DVD because there are some bits you would not watch with your mum :P
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- Molliieee said...
- Posted on May 01 2009 17:49 Zac Efron Is Mine,,.. I Loveee Himm Soooooooooooo Mujj. He Is Phiittttt As Hell. Lovee Youu Zac Efronn. x x x
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- xXLottieXx said...
- Posted on May 01 2009 11:55 This is one of those rare films that (I believe) the whole family will enjoy; the hilarious character of Ned made the film for me, and his references to sci fi and love of expensive cars will keep the men/boys in the family interested. Obviously for the girls there is The Efron! I was suprised by how much I liked this film, having seen high school musical I found Zac Efron too 'wholesome American teen' but I thought he was brilliant in this, great with not only the comic moments, but the emotional ones too. As I said before, it's 'Uncle Ned' who makes the film for me personally, there are plenty of laughs in it, and the heartwarming story, whilst ever-so- slightly predictable, is enjoyable and easy to follow for people of all ages. I would thoroughly recommend this film, especially to families HSM fans and pre-pubescent girls!
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- Pam said...
- Posted on May 01 2009 09:49 My 17 year old daughter dragged me to see this film but it was a really good film, it had me laughing and crying at the same time
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- sharon said...
- Posted on Apr 28 2009 19:08 took my daughters to see this film and we all loved it....zac efron was fab !!!!
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- Amy said...
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Posted on Apr 28 2009 18:47
sorry i meant
*better than doing homework or being bored - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Matthew Perry, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 12A
Duration: 102 mins
UK Release: Apr 10 2009
US Release: Apr 17 2009
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