This was a film that I was happy to see but wasn’t rushing to get to. I ‘umed’ and ‘ared’ for a while and then eventually went. I’m very glad I did. There’s nothing new about the plot. We’ve seen it before in Big (with Tom Hanks), 13 going on 30 (with Jennifer garner) and the much closer titled 18 Again! (with George Burns from the late 80’s). It’s always going to be a fun film because of the comedy that naturally comes with a switching of age tale. The premise that after you’ve learnt a lot more about life (and are wiser), you can actually go back to being a teenager and make other decisions, always paves the way for a workable film. Think, ‘if I knew then, what I know now’.
I didn’t like Zac Efron prior to the film. He of ‘High School Musical’ fame (I’ve already told you I hate musicals, except TRHPS) simply irritated the hell out of me. Probably because he’s young, good-looking, highly successfully, can sing and has swoons of female fans lining up for him. It 
was always my feeling that he landed with his ass in the butter that is Disney. For any of you who have watched the Disney Channel, it always seems these young stars are a dime a dozen and pop up each and every week with their own show, followed by a music album and then a main stream picture. Pretty much everything that Disney touches is a success, therefore I saw it as an easy pass to fame. As long as you had a pimple free face, boyish good looks, floppy hair and surf-board abs – you had it made. It seemed far too easy.
Truth is, I never thought this kid really had any acting talent. I was very wrong. He is truly brilliant. His style is effortless. His comic timing is spot on. And, he’s actually very entertaining to watch.
He plays the younger version of Matthew Perry’s (from ‘Friends’ and ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’) character, Mike O’Donnell, in the film. Mike was a great basketball player – with a scholarship to play College ball. He’s was the coolest guy in school, with the girl of his dreams. The world was his oyster until he made a decision, that at the time seemed the best, but later he believed chaged his life for the worse… forever. Now over the age of 30, in a life he wishes was different, nothing is going his way. He loathes his job, his kids hate him and his wife wants a divorce. He wishes he had a second chance… and gets it. Over night, he goes from bad dad (zero) to too cool for school (hero) for a second time. But, how does he handle (1) the fact he’s now at school with his own kids? (2) he’s 17 and going through a divorce and (3) trying to find out why he’s in a time-warp!
The film is boosted by another superb comic actor, Thomas Lennon, who is absolutely hilarious in the film and steals some of the best moments in it. He plays Mike’s best friend from school who later assists him in getting through the age switch. If you are going to see the film for one reason only, he’s well worth it.
It has a fantastic supporting cast, and whilst the mayhem of the 20 year age switch ensues over the 98 minute running time, it still leaves you with a powerful message if you’re keen to take it – make the most of the life you have now!
It provided some great entertainment and plenty of laughs. I also say that what makes this work is the fact that Zac may have decided to slowly drop his ‘tween’ fans and step into what at times is more of an adult comedy. And that definitely works. As comedies go, it’s great. I give it a ‘badda-bing’… 8/10… for love of the movie.