On the brink of a midlife crisis, 30-something Mike O’Donnell wishes he could have a “do-over.” And that’s exactly what he gets when he wakes up one morning to find he’s 17 years old again. With his adult mind stuck inside the body of a teenager, Mike actually has the chance to reverse some decisions he wishes he’d never made. But maybe they weren’t so bad after all.
Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film Cast:
- Mike O’Donnell (Teen): Zac Efron
- Scarlett O’Donnell (Adult): Leslie Mann
- Mike O’Donnell (Adult): Matthew Perry
- Maggie O’Donnell: Michelle Trachtenberg
- Scarlett (Teen): Allison Miller
- Ned Gold: Thomas Lennon
- Alex O’Donnell: Sterling Knight
- Jamie: Kat Graham
- Ned Gold (Teen): Tyler Steelman
- Samantha: Tiya Sircar
- Lauren: Melissa Ordway
- Nicole: Josie Loren
- Coach Murphy: Jim Gaffigan
- Wendy: Collette Wolfe
- Dom: Adam Gregory
- Stan: Hunter Parrish
- Samir: Mario Cassem
- Principal Jane Masterson: Melora Hardin
- Janitor: Brian Doyle-Murray
- Roger: Tommy Dewey
- Secretary: Lorna Scott
- Hostess: Kodi Kitchen
- Judge: Diana Maria Riva
- Bailiff: Ellis E. Williams
- School Cop: Ed Ackerman
- Referee: Will Schaub
- Mike’s Lawyer: Loren Lester
- Naomi: Nicole Sullivan
- Mrs. Dell: Margaret Cho
- Dean: Larry Poindexter
- Dorky Kid (Ned’s Party): Bubba Lewis
- Syracuse Scout (1989): Chris Valenti
- Kevin (1989): G. Lane Hillman
- Girl (Wyatt): Hope Riley
- Scarlet’s Lawyer: Jeanine Jackson
- Ohio Scout: Gregory Sporleder
- Guy in Crowd: Keith Oney
- Kid (Office): Leonard Wu
- Cheerleader (1989): Liana Blackburn
- Cheerleader (1989): Lindsay Taylor
- Cheerleader (1989): Shelby Rabara
- Cheerleader (1989): Danielle E. Hawkins
- Cheerleader (1989): Katrina Norman
- Cheerleader (1989): Rhapsody Violetti
- Cheerleader (1989): Tiana Brown
- Cheerleader (1989): Taisha Monique Clark
- Cheerleader: Vanessa Lee Chester
- Cheerleader: Tyne Stecklein
- Mr. Adams: Jordan Schatz
- Mascot (uncredited): Jesse Heiman
- Hammer Dancer: Rachele Brooke Smith
Film Crew:
- Casting: Lisa Beach
- Casting: Sarah Katzman
- Stunt Coordinator: Webster Whinery
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: John Ross
- Sound Effects Editor: Frederick Howard
- Director of Photography: Tim Suhrstedt
- Producer: Adam Shankman
- Producer: Jennifer Gibgot
- Costume Design: Pamela Withers
- Original Music Composer: Rolfe Kent
- Executive In Charge Of Production: Erik Holmberg
- Editor: Padraic McKinley
- Music Supervisor: Buck Damon
- Unit Production Manager: Dara Weintraub
- Director: Burr Steers
- Production Supervisor: Gina Fortunato
- Screenplay: Jason Filardi
- Art Direction: Tom Reta
- Production Design: Garreth Stover
- Property Master: Michelle Spears
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Michael Keller
- Makeup Department Head: Kimberly Greene
- Dialogue Editor: Kimaree Long
- Second Second Assistant Director: Peter Dress
- Post Production Supervisor: Frank Salvino
- Set Decoration: Natalie Pope
- Script Supervisor: Steve Gehrke
- Supervising Sound Editor: Perry Robertson
- Music Editor: Nick South
- ADR Editor: Barney Cabral
- Set Costumer: Marylou Lim
- Costume Supervisor: Michelle Kurpaska
- Still Photographer: Chuck Zlotnick
- Supervising Sound Editor: Hugh Waddell
- Sound Effects Editor: Peter Staubli
- ADR Editor: Thomas Jones
- Visual Effects Supervisor: David Jones
- Dialogue Editor: Laura Harris Atkinson
- Sound Effects Editor: Bruce Tanis
- Camera Operator: Jeffrey Greeley
- Hair Department Head: Melissa Yonkey
- Casting Associate: Beth Lipari
- Music Editor: Massimo Ruberto
- Casting Associate: Charla Bowersox
- Construction Coordinator: Karen Higgins
- Art Department Coordinator: Jennifer Möller
- Visual Effects Coordinator: Jennifer Avery
- Visual Effects Producer: Mark Edwards
- Assistant Costume Designer: Jennifer Starzyk
- Set Costumer: Alyssa Kim
- Key Hair Stylist: Marie Larkin
- Makeup Artist: Erin Wooldridge
- Sound Mixer: Steve Cantamessa
- Stunt Coordinator: Mihai Danciu
- Steadicam Operator: Chris W. Johnson
Movie Reviews:
- John Chard: It’s a classic transformation story. Are you now or have you ever been a Norse God, Vampire, or Time Traveling Cyborg?
Another in what is a long line of body swap comedies, 17 Again is fun, frothy and full of warmth; just like all the other ones really! There’s nothing new here, it’s the same old format as a grown up Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) rues how his life has grown to miserable proportions but magically gets to be a high-schooler again and grasp that second chance. Back in his 17 year old bod (Zac Efron looking like a young Rob Lowe), Mike oversees the trials and tribulations of his two kids who attend the same school, whilst also forming a “special” bond with his future wife Scarlet (Leslie Mann) who is going to divorce him! Cue much high-school pranks, perils and near misses and a few worthy messages in the narrative.
Tailored towards a certain demographic with the casting of Efron, who is very likable and a worthy lead here, the film thankfully doesn’t lack for good performances elsewhere. Both Mann and Melora Hardin as the hot principal make their roles stand out, while Thomas Lennon as Mike’s uber rich man child buddy steals the movie. It’s rich in clichés of the formula and the predictability of outcome robs us of a surprise, but these are not actually irritants, for this is a very enjoyable movie. One where the teens hot for Zac can stare lovingly, and one where the adults can nod in knowing agreement at some plot dynamics. 7/10