by h20series
In my ongoing quest to understand the appeal of Zac Efron, I decided to watch the film “17 Again.” The movie revolves around Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry), a man who made a life-altering decision as a love-struck 17-year-old and now questions that choice in his present-day life. We meet Mike at a low point, with his career in ruins, his teenage children wanting nothing to do with him, and his wife Scarlett (Leslie Mann) filing for divorce.
Feeling stuck and disillusioned, Mike finds solace in reminiscing about his glory days in high school. Through a series of peculiar events, he is transformed back into his 17-year-old self (played by Zac Efron).
Believing that this is his chance to fulfill his basketball dreams, Mike decides to enroll in high school again. He assumes the identity of his best friend Ned Gold’s son, becoming Mark Gold. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he discovers that his son is being bullied by the basketball team and his daughter is dating a jerk. His focus shifts from his own happiness to the well-being of his kids.
As he befriends his son, Mike finds himself spending more time with his soon-to-be-ex-wife and realizes that he still loves her. There are many cringe-worthy moments between a thirty-something Scarlett and a seventeen-year-old Mark/Mike.
In the end, Mike finds himself at the same crossroads he faced as a teenager. He is given a second chance to create his ideal life.
Apart from a few comedic moments involving Ned, the premise of this movie feels well-worn. While it fares decently compared to similar films, it falls short of the fantastic Tom Hanks-starring movie “Big.”
It’s painfully obvious that this movie serves as a vehicle for Zac Efron, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Although it didn’t resonate with me personally, I can understand the appeal for Zac Efron fans. His character transitions from a cool kid to a nerdy father, and it works for the intended audience.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME