17 Again

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Who is this Zac Efron fellow? And, while I'm at it, what's with Hannah Montana? And why does Bob wear square pants (I won't even ask why he's a sponge)?

My ignorance about 'what the kids are in to these days' comes as a bit of a shock. I was all over the kids entertainment scene what seemed like five minutes ago: does no-one remember Agro's Cartoon Connection? And well, The Simpsons is still all over the TV, so how was I to know I was so out of touch?

In any case, Zac Efron is evidently a tween heartthrob and star of the High School Musical franchise. I haven't seen any of his films, but have seen him on Rove a couple of times and mostly I just want to brush his hair out of his eyes.

Wow. I really am getting old.

Which makes it fitting, I guess, that I went to reclaim my youth by watching 17 Again. Expectations were zero. I'd had a rough day and decided to drag my Mum to a really stupid movie. So, colour me surprised when I actually enjoyed it!

The film begins as shameless titillation for Zac Efron fans. He's shirtless, muscles-a-rippling, shooting hoops. Then in the next scene he dances (80s style, but still).

Shirtless. Check.
Dancing. Check.
Singing. Mercifully, no. Think you'll have to wait until the next High School Musical for that.

Ok, so now the movie can really start. It's essentially Big in reverse, but actually quite a sweet story of a male in mid-life crisis learning to reconnect with his family. Matthew Perry pretty much phones it in as the adult Mike O'Donnell: unfulfilled father of two disinterested teenagers, on the brink of divorce and bordering on bitter. The magic transformation takes a little too long, but soon enough it's back to Zac.

Surprisingly he pulls off the role of father in a teenager's body. He's obviously not ashamed to look silly and really goes for it in a few scenes; you'd almost say "Awww, Dad" were the lines not being delivered by such a baby-face.

Father...figure

On the other hand, the geeky best-friend subplot may not work for you. There's a lot of over-the-top American humour to wade through, so you'll either roll your eyes at the best friend's attempts to woo the headmistress, or - ahem - like me, you may actually know a thing or two about Lord of the Rings and have a little chuckle.

The family scenes are pretty much par for the course - wayward daughter and nerdy son - but Leslie Mann does a nice job as the conflicted wife, trying to move on. Mann's always good for a few laughs and she and Efron handle the awkward humour well.

17 Again is absolutely paint-by-numbers, but that doesn't preclude it from being fun. Girls can watch it and coo over Efron, but I doubt this will convince any males to see the film. And actually that is a real shame, because it's light and breezy style doesn't prevent it from conveying a few home truths. 17 Again could almost be required viewing for all mid-life crisis aged men.

Turns out it's worth finding out what your kids are about.