17 Again (8/11/2009)

Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying.

Directed by Burr Steers

Starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann and Thomas Lennon

Todd’s Word: 17 Again? More like Never Again.

Jonathan’s Word: I wouldn’t go that far. Yes, it’s nothing new. But overall it was pretty good fun. Worth renting for sure.

Give us the synopsis.

Todd’s Word: Okay. Here goes:

What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) is a star on his high school basketball team with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting.

Jonathan’s Word: Okay… I know you’re not done yet, but I gotta interject. This was an interesting plot point. On one hand this was a noble move by the main character. “I’m gonna support you through this!” I’m glad the audience got to see that. And I liked how the story alluded to the natural consequences of having a teen pregnancy. Let’s face it—there are consequences. But that’s where the film fell a little short. They never really addressed, “Wow, teen sex leads to consequences.” The movie just dealt with, “Did this guy stick by her side, or not?”

Todd’s Word: The movie never addressed the cause of their dilemma. Just, “What do we do now?”

Jonathan’s Word: As a parent, I paused the film at that moment and we talked about it. I used it as a springboard for conversation.

Anyway… go on with your plot description.

Todd’s Word: Almost 20 years later, Mike's (now Matthew Perry) glory days are clearly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett (Lisa Mann) has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon). But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirty-something outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

Jonathan’s Word: It’s pretty evident that this is nothing new. In the 80’s we had a bunch of these films: Like Father Like Son, Vice Versa, Dream a Little Dream. More recently we had the Freaky Friday remake. Not the most original plot. But I think there were some fun moments.

Todd’s Word: Yeah—the ending credits.

On the surface, this sounds like a great family movie about learning those hard lessons about what’s really important in life, but this is far from a family movie. My family and I were about 15 minutes into it when I reached for the DVD case to check the rating. An unplanned pregnancy, passing around a basket of condoms in health class, an over-sexed principal and other adult themes had me worried about all the tween and teen girls that would be renting this one – especially to see Zac.

Jonathan’s Word: Okay, you’re making this sound worse than it was. Yes, there were a few moments with the principle and her relationship that were across the line (innuendo and implied sex). But the unplanned pregnancy? I don’t have any problem with a movie bringing that up head on. Condoms in a health class? Total reality. All great springboards for discussion. Not preachy at all.

I thought the movie had some redeemable moments.

Todd’s Word: There are a few redeemable qualities of the movie. The first is the question, “If we could go back in time, what would we change?” I think any chance we can get to encourage students to talk about consequences and what we really value in life is a good thing. Another is watching Mike walk back into his high school as a student but with the life experience of an adult. This time around he's learned the value of sexual responsibility and even gives a group a girls the “value yourself” speech (although it falls on deaf ears). He also realizes how out of touch he is with his children and how much he loves his wife.

Jonathan’s Word: Good times.

Todd’s Word: On the technical side, Zac is a force in the High School Musical series, but I’m not convinced he has what it takes to be a leading man. Matthew Perry got more laughs from me in his few scenes than Zac did in the entire movie. The pace moves at a moderate speed and the director clearly knows where he is going. But in the end, there is nothing new, inventive or particularly funny, I say “Skip It.”

Jonathan’s Word: I don’t think Zac’s performance was bad, nor do I think Matthew Perry is any Charlton Heston.

It’s not for younger kids, but can be a great discussion piece with older teenagers. As a parent, use it! Make use of the pause button and discuss what you see.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Although it stars tweens and teens superstar Zac Efron, the adult themes are a bit much for younger viewers.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

1. What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
2. How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
3. How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?