Oh, to be 17 again! (17 Again (DVD))

Member Name: loopylis

Product:	17 Again (DVD)
Date:	01/11/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, light hearted

Disadvantages: Cut scenes from advertised

Like a lot of young girls now, my daughter has a huge crush on teen senation of the moment, Zac Efron. She has been harrassing me for ages to go and see it, but she was too young to see it at the cinema as it is rated 12, so when it arrived from Lovefilm last week, she was one very excited little girl!

As it is rated a 12, I had to watch first to make sure there was nothing in it she shouldnt be seeing.

The film is about Mike (played by both Zac Efron and Matthew Perry). At high school, Mikes life was going great, scouts had turned up to watch him play basketball and he was hoping for a scholarship. Just as the game starts, his girlfriend tells him some life changing news. Instead of finishing the game, he walks out after her and decides to stick with his girl.
It then flashes forward to now, where Matthew Perry takes over the role of the older Mike, who is now divorcing his wife, has 2 kids and is unhappy. He cant get past how different his life could have been had he finished the game.
This all leads to an encounter with a 'spirit guide' who takes Mike back to being 17 again, only he is living his life now, instead of when he was 17. He is now at school with his son and daughter, and he gets to know his children better. He also realises he has to win back his wife. With the aid of his best friend, he has to realise what he has and sort his life back on track to change back to his adult form.

The film is quite funny. There were moments where I thought it was a bit boring, mainly the scenes with Mikes daughter, played by Michelle Trachtenberg (of Buffy fame). She played the role of stroppy, rebelious teen too bland for my liking and she was rather unconvincing.
But, there are some great one liners, and some really funny scenes, and the whole story throughout is good, and a happy ending that makes you smile.
Zac Efron plays his role fantastically, although I do think he is becoming a bit stereotyped by playing basketball playing teens all the time, it would have been nice to see him doing something different. But, he looks good, he acts well, and he has some great one liners.

My daughter was disappointed though. In the adverts, there was a scene where Zac Efron has his top off while gardening, and sees two women ogling him and puts his shirt back on. That scene on the adverts is really funny, and Im sure it upset a lot of young girls that it was actually cut from the film!

All in all, this was a funny, family film. There are a few swear words, but nothing, in my opinion, too risqúe at all, I do think the 12 rating is slightly harsh and this should have been a pg film.

But, if you are looking for something light hearted and funny, this is a film to go for.

Summary: A good all round family film