his flick lost me at seeing Zach Efron shoot hoops and kick up his heels within the first two minutes. I’m pretty sure I got my fill of that on the Disney Channel. Though this alternate take on Freaky Friday has its moments, 17 Again served more to remind me why I have no desire to return to high school.
Brooke doesn’t share my point of view; she enjoyed her teenage years. But she was one of the popular kids. I, on the other hand, remained indiscernible and more or less bided my time until I could quit that inverse meritocracy. I was mocked for high aspirations, forced to endure senseless glorification of two-bit athletes, and – with the exception of two or three teachers – seen as an unconvincing case and abandoned to my own devices. I suppose promptly forgetting all of it was a form of cathartic revenge.
This movie brought it all back, and I didn’t enjoy that.
PS – The inconsistencies in the character of Maggie (the daughter) left me scratching my head.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
I had this movie in our Netflix queue and when Jay saw it there he said, “This is a joke, right?” Needless to say, I still haven’t seen it.
I have very few happy memories of high school myself, so maybe it’s just as well.
February 6th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Hello? It’s Zac Efron! No letter H! get your facts staight!:)
February 8th, 2010 at 11:34 am
First time I’ve ever heard a choir geek referred to as one of the “popular” kids. )No offense to Brook seeing as how she was my best friend and I was one of them too)
February 9th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Thank you Mindy! I’ve been trying to tell him how I was not one of the popular kids for a very long time now.