17 Again
17 Again is reminiscent of 13 Going on 30, Big or Freaky Friday, showcasing characters who haven’t had things work out quite like they had planned. Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry/Zac Efron) keeps living in the past thinking of a life changing decision he made at the ripe ole age of 17, assuming he made the wrong choice he can’t find happiness where he is at in life. Will he find the “better” life he seeks and will it take turning the clock back to find the answer?
ClearPlay in Action!
With all of my filters at medium ClearPlay did a fantastic job of eliminating plenty of swear words, crude language and blasphemy. During a teenage party alcohol is not seen consumed but the assumption of underage drinking is there. Even though Mike is an adult in a young man’s body he carries on a flirtatious relationship with his soon to be ex-wife which is a little awkward; as is an encounter between Mike and his High School daughter who of course doesn’t know who he is and starts to have feelings for him. A fight scene is filtered, however a scene where Mike is slapped multiple times and a cartoonish light saber fight are not. Teenage bullying is touched on as Mike’s son is the victim of the abuse. Do keep in mind the story revolves around a teen pregnancy but I did appreciate the emphasis placed on a family working out their problems amid a crisis. I’m sure this one would be right up your teen’s alley but I wouldn’t go younger than age 14.
Is being young really all it is cracked up to be?...
Yes, this movie feels oh so familiar and has been told probably 30 different times but it can hold its own if you take it for what it is, a lighthearted flick. Efron may have proven he isn’t just a pretty face, he was funny and can act too (at least in this). Thomas Lennon, plays Mike’s geeky best friend Ned, and was a great comedic counterpart and by far gives you the most laughs. Even though much of the humor is predictable, Ned’s quirky lifestyle and silly facial expressions were very welcome. How will the rest of us ever learn life lessons without a flashback to our past?... I guess I’ll have to learn the old fashioned way.
Hannah – ClearPlay Identity Interventionist
Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying; 102 min; Directed by Burr Steers