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April 17, 2009
Review – 17 Again
Zac Efron is cute. Leslie Mann is cute. Thomas Lennon is Tony Randall.
Can I stop there?
Michelle Trachtenberg, at 23, is getting a little creepy playing 17-year-old goth virgins, though it certainly is not her fault that she has perfect skin and young looks and unless she wants to take jobs where she has to take off her clothes to prove she is a 20something, she’s kinda stuck. Melora Hardin is still sexy at 41. Brian Doyle-Murray looks like Bill after 20 years in prison.
Are we done yet?
Matthew Perry is a nice looking man and there is not a hint of him ever looking as movie-star perfect as Zac Efron… not to mention that there is no way that any man goes from Efron’s energy to Perry’s energy… just not smart casting. They should have just pulled the trigger and hired Paul Rudd for a few days… or Michael Sheen, who can use a quick, commercial jobs between awards movies.
The highlight for most adults will be Thomas Lennon as The Other 40 Year Old Virgin. Nice outright steal, guys. The whole film is like that, though not often as successfully. I’m not sure that the trio of girls who are, quite literally, offering Zac Efron sex without requiring that he even know their names (and unlike O&R, no sobriety issues… this is clear eyed slutting) is the best thing to put into a film for teen girls. No question though, Melissa Ordway will get a lot of meetings with execs trying to get her to repeat the offer… though I have a feeling she’s already been having those meetings and that’s not likely what she’s after. (She wants a part… not THAT part.)
Aside from another offer to be in Footloose, this film won’t do much for anyone… except for the kid, Sterling Knight, who doesn’t seem at first to be able to act, but who gets stronger as the film progresses. There is a glimpse that he may become something real in time.
The story? Uh… yeah. 1950s teen comedy with texting. (Note: this is not your breakthrough “kids text now” film. ) Not a complete piece of crap… not anything worth paying much attention to… just your basic Novocain, not nitrous oxide kind of movie.
Posted by dpoland at April 17, 2009 12:23 PM
Comments
TRACHTENBERG is awesome and should be in CRANK 3 next instead of this kind of bullshit.
HEY is Brian Doyle Murray playing the character of Lou Y. Thompson again? Combined with Trachten-hot that would almost make this bearable.
Posted by: LexG ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 17, 2009 02:12 PM
Yes, but how does it compare to George Burns' legendary 18 Again?
Posted by: Wrecktum at April 17, 2009 03:25 PM
"Yes, but how does it compare to George Burns' legendary 18 Again?"
Burns had better energy.
Posted by: Hallick at April 17, 2009 06:34 PM
Man Dave.... the reviews are back in force, no? Thanks brother.
Posted by: the keoki at April 18, 2009 10:39 AM
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