SYNOPSIS: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

REVIEW: So here we go “Again”. Nah, not really, this movie is a lot of fun even though it is an overdone theme. How many times have you seen this typical story where a person’s fate/destiny is twisted in order to teach a lesson? This movie does follow the same pattern but it does seem a little different too. Plus the fact that I’ll admit . . . I’m a sucker for this kind of story. I’ve enjoyed a lot of them and this was no exception. I did go in not expecting a whole lot because of its typical storyline but I was impressed and entertained. The film was cute, touching, quite funny, with good life lessons, and a good cast that meshed very well. I was most impressed by Zac Efron, who plays the lead role of Mike O’Donnell as a teen. I really haven’t seen a lot of his work so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. He actually carried the movie quite well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving him an Oscar or anything, but he wasn’t cheesy or lame as I thought he might be. He actually delivered a convincing role. Matthew Perry plays the adult counterpart and Matthew really doesn’t get a chance to shine due to the small role. On the other hand, Mike O’Donnell’s lifelong best friend, Ned Gold as an adult, was played by Thomas Lennon and he was right on as usual. He has done some incredible supporting role work in comedies throughout his career and this one can go near the top. You can also put Leslie Mann in that category of unsung comedic heroes, or in this case heroine. She plays Mike’s wife Scarlett and again, as always, she delivers a gem.

One aspect of this movie that surprisingly helped accentuate these sharp roles was the wardrobe used for the characters. After Mike becomes 17 again, his outfit choice for his first day back at school is interesting to say the least. Luckily he tones down to a more acceptable modern day, laid back, high school style. But top honors goes to nerdy, but filthy rich Ned whose eccentric ensembles take him outside the box of normality and add to the comedic effectiveness of his performance. By the way, it really does help to have a filthy rich best friend. It adds a lot more flavor to the movie such as in the use of certain automobiles. For example, Ned hooks up Mike with a gorgeous Audi R8 to drive to school. In another scene you see Ned driving a yellow Lamborghini. Sorry, but I do so enjoy these little details. You can tell that Director Burr Steers paid attention to detail in this motion picture. This could have easily been one of those mass produced, cranked out, cookie cutter movies with some audience attracting names to just make a few bucks and go. Well this movie is more than that. This being only his second major motion picture direction, not a bad job at all by Mr. Steers. If you like the destiny twisting stories, I can safely recommend this movie to you.

Review By Cine Marcos 
cinemarcos@smartcine.com

MORE MOVIE REVIEWS >>>