Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) has reached a low point in his life. He is dissatisfied with his career and on the brink of divorce from his wife, Scarlet (Mann). He wants to be able to go back to his senior year, the time when Scarlet got pregnant with their first child, and change it all. He is shocked when, in one strange moment, his wish is granted and he is his 17-year-old self (Zac Efron) again. Now in the same school with his kids, Mike learns a lot about what he truly wants out of life.

CRITIQUE

There is a dubious practice occurring in Hollywood right now that does two things: plucks young stars for fame from the halls of the Disney Channel, and pushes these young performers to both sing and act. In very few cases will this result in an actual, bonafide film career. Zac Efron may be one of those cases, if this film is any indication. 17 Again is an endearing and, at many moments, genuinely funny film with an uplifting message and strong performances.

After the success of the High School Musical series, as well as his well-done role as Link in Hairspray, this film was clearly seen as a chance for Efron to prove his ability to carry a film. His many squealing girl fans will be delighted to hear that he succeeds admirably. Though his looks certainly help, Efron has always been the sort of performer to sneak up on you with what he can do. The somber tone of the prologue detailing Mike’s teen years may surprise most viewers-- it is affecting and Efron effortlessly pulls that off. Of course, he isn’t allowed to leave his singing and dancing past behind quite yet, as director Steers adds in a cool dance bit in this sequence.

The remainder of the film goes similarly well, though sometimes the “responsible father” stuff is a bit hard to swallow out of Efron. Perry’s short appearance at the beginning feels a bit incongruous but the humor is something he excels at (obviously- this is Chandler Bing we’re talking about!) so it leads fairly well into the rest of the plot.

The meat of the story is the how Mike is changed by experiencing being 17 once more, and the dissatisfaction with life he assumes he must correct is something everyone can relate to. Mike is wrong about how he must change, however; the point of what he’s going through is not for him to do his life over, but to realize that there was a valid reason that he did it that way in the first place. This realization is what will make him happy and that is a heartwarming message.

Moreover, the laughs the film provides are simply icing for that cake, and they mostly come in the form of Mike’s best friend Ned, played pricelessly by Thomas Lennon. The character is an entertaining take on the usual “geek made rich” guy. His wooing of the high school’s principal (wonderful Melora Hardin) is hilarious.

Though not an Oscar-caliber film, 17 Again does deliver entertainment aplenty in the positive story and wonderful cast.

THE VIDEO

Both widescreen and full screen versions of the film are included on this disc. Of course, the format the best preserves the theatrical presentation for home viewing is widescreen. The color is wonderfully transferred, for example.

THE AUDIO

As usual, the English track is in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and it is an excellent sound format. Though there are no other language tracks on this disc, there are both English and Spanish subtitles offered.

THE EXTRAS

Zero, there are no extras on this disc.

FINAL THOUGHTS