17 Again

Harking back to older films such as Big and Vice Versa, and more recently Freaky Friday, 17 Again is another “body swap” movie where one person magically becomes someone they’re not for bizarre magical reasons.

Plot-in-a-nutshell: Friends’ Matthew Perry plays a middle-aged guy (Mike O’Donnell) going through a divorce with his school sweetheart. After a bizarre meeting with a mystical janitor, he falls off a bridge and awakes as his 17 year-old self – played by Zac Efron who’s apparently popular with the teen brigade. I saw the film with my little cousin (who’s 7½) and he’s the reason she wanted to see it.

It’s rated 12A in the UK, and there’s a fair bit of sexual talk – thankfully all this went right over the little cuz’s head. The plot’s nothing special, you just know what’s going to happen but there are still a few laughs along the way. Some moments are well played, such as the young Mike O’Donnell trying his best not to snog his own daughter despite her launching herself at him.

Overall, I enjoyed it way more than I expected but still not a huge amount. Although I do want Mike’s friend’s bed. Anyone who sleeps in a floating full-size Star Wars vehicle is a true geek.