Zac Efron, who tantalises the screaming masses, can make a potato sack look positively delicious. But could this teen heartthrob make the Easter rom-com 17 Again shine?
Zac Efron in 17 Again
For a movie that is full of eye candy (including the several shots of a shirtless Efron playing hoops) may only please a very few, with miss cast characters, too many sappy moments and the comic highlights coming from a Star Wars nerd playing Efron’s surrogate uncle.
The movie begins with Mike (Efron) as the school basketball start in 1989 who has the promise of a college scholarship, but gives it up for his pregnant girlfriend Scarlett (Leslie Mann).
The film then jumps to 2009, with Mike now craggy Matthew Perry as a disappointed separated dad, whose children thoroughly dislike him. Perry looks incredibly tired and his jittery acting style doesn’t work for the fatherly role.
When Mike longs to be 17 again, a weathered old janitor (his ‘spirit guide’) uses the twinkle in his eye to sweep him back to his pubescent self.
Mike returns to school as the positively gorgeous son of his best friend Ned (played by Thomas Lennon), a Star Wars loving nerd who found riches after being tormented in high school.
Lennon gives the film a great comic relief, with his attempted courting of the high school principal and when they speak in their native Lord of the Rings tongue, Elvish.
The film has some big highs and lows, but is broken by large sappy moments where the camera zooms in on Efron’s concerned and pensive face. His courtship of Leslie Mann, whilst he is 17 and she is 37 is slightly creepy.
17 Again is a great film for a very, very light hearted watch and perfect for the tweeny age group. Another tick against Zac Efron’s name.
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