This weekend I had an itch to watch a new movie, but I didn’t really have anything in mind. When I pulled up in front of Blockbuster (yes, they still have physical stores) I saw the sign outside for 17 Again and I remembered that several people that I respect had said good things about it. So I rented it.
I’m glad I did. It may be the best film I’ve seen all year. It was fun, it was hilarious, it was simple, it was the perfect movie.
I think that you all kind of know the jist of the story. It’s basically the movie Big in reverse. It also kind of reminded me of Like Father Like Son. Why? I don’t know. Maybe I just like referencing Kirk Cameron’s early film career. (He showed such promise!)
I thought that Zac Efron was great and really delivered a wonderful performance, especially in the more emotional scenes. It was impossible to for me to accept the almost 24-year-old Michelle Trachtenberg as either a high schooler or Zac Efron’s daughter (she’s 2 years older than him). Thomas Lennon absolutely stole the show.
Obviously, we’re not talking about an Academy Award winning movie here. It’s just one of those films that you can through on and zone out to for 90 minutes and feel satisfied in the way you’ve spent your money.
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Donna
We also were in the market for a movie and also cruised on over to Blockbuster but we picked up “The Soloist”. Great movie, excellent cast and acting. A very good choice that I recommend!!
September 7, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Ryan
I was interested in that one. From the previews it looked very Oscar friendly. I was a bit concerned, though, that it may be out of everyone’s memory by Oscar time.
September 8, 2009 at 8:05 am
MML Presents: Tuesday Extended Update | Tilling the Soil
[...] of movies over the last two weeks, 17 Again (which may be the best movie I’ve seen all year, see review here) and Fast and Furious. I finished a book I’ve been working on since the first of the year. I [...]
September 8, 2009 at 7:05 am
Dan
Really?!?! The best movie you’ve seen all year?! That can only be true if you’ve not seen any movies this year. District 9? Public Enemies? (reviews coming soon)
I just saw a preview for this on Netflix and maybe it’s my predisposed opinion of Efron that ruins it for me, but dude, this doesn’t look good.
Hmmmm…
September 8, 2009 at 8:34 am
Ryan
Let me make one clarifying statement: Best Film from this year that I’ve seen this year. Realize that I haven’t seen a whole lot of new films this year… Wolverine, Terminator, that’s about it.
I think that probably a lot of people have a presupposition regarding Efron. I think that he’s going to be a good actor. Give him a chance.
September 11, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Donna
I mean it looked cute but I think I have seen this premise before a few other times. Not to say I wouldn’t rent it for a fun few hours but I agree with Daniel, best movie so far this year?
September 10, 2009 at 3:41 pm
johnny thunders
this movie was really really funny. not best movie of the year quality, but it was fun and had an amazing cast. zac efron is great, and tom lennon and leslie mann were really fun.
and it’s so much better than the soloist, which was a really really really really really really really awful movie.
December 31, 2009 at 10:17 pm