17 Again Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A middle-aged man becomes a teen again to bang his wife, help his kids, and relive high school glory…sounds about right.

🍿 17 Again: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening: A Promising Future Interrupted (1989)

In 1989, Mike O’Donnell is a star high school basketball player with a bright future ahead of him. On the day of the championship game, his girlfriend Scarlet reveals she’s pregnant, forcing him to make a life-altering decision. He chooses to abandon his basketball dreams to be with her.

Mid-Life Crisis (2009)

Twenty years later, Mike is now 37 and deeply regrets his decision. His marriage is falling apart, his career is stagnant, and he has a strained relationship with his teenage children. After losing a promotion and getting kicked out by his wife, Mike wallows in despair, longing for his glory days.

A Second Chance

While revisiting his old high school, Mike encounters a mysterious janitor. After a strange incident, Mike finds himself transformed back into his 17-year-old self. He decides to enroll in high school again, posing as ‘Mark Gold,’ the son of his wealthy best friend, Ned.

High School Hijinks and Family Redemption

As Mark, Mike navigates the challenges of high school while trying to reconnect with his children. He tries to help his son, Alex, stand up to bullies and pursue his crush. He also attempts to guide his daughter, Maggie, away from a problematic relationship. Along the way, he begins to understand the value of the life he had.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mike O’Donnell (Teen) (Zac Efron): A former high school basketball star who gets a chance to relive his youth and fix his past mistakes.
• Mike O’Donnell (Adult) (Matthew Perry): A disillusioned 37-year-old man regretting his life choices and yearning for his glory days.
• Scarlet (Leslie Mann): Mike’s estranged wife who is seeking a divorce and a fresh start.
• Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon): Mike’s wealthy and eccentric best friend who provides comedic relief and support.
• Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg): Mike’s daughter who is struggling with relationships and her identity.
• Alex (Sterling Knight): Mike’s son who is bullied and lacks confidence, seeking to find his place.
• Stan (Hunter Parrish): The high school bully and Maggie’s ex-boyfriend who antagonizes Alex.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike O’Donnell: “I wish I could do it all over again.” – Mike expresses his regret and longing for a second chance at life, setting the stage for his transformation.
• Ned Gold: “Basic spirit guide magic.” – Ned hilariously attempts to explain Mike’s transformation with a mystical, geeky explanation.
• Mike O’Donnell: “You can’t let other people make choices for you.” – Mike, as Mark, gives Alex advice, reflecting his regret and desire to empower his son.
• Mike O’Donnell: “Sometimes a guy needs to fight for what he wants.” – Mike encourages his son, Alex, to stand up for himself and pursue his love interest.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $64,167,069
• Worldwide Gross: $136,316,880

💥 17 Again Reviews

Personal Review

I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting much from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised! It’s a fun, feel-good movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Zac Efron actually showed some real acting chops, and the supporting cast, especially Thomas Lennon, were hilarious. I loved the scenes where he tried to awkwardly connect with his kids; it felt so real! Definitely a good choice for a lighthearted movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Zac Efron”
  • “Viewers who enjoy body-swap comedies”
  • “Families looking for a light-hearted movie night”
  • “Those who appreciate stories about second chances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Teen relationships”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief scenes of bullying”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While the premise is familiar, ’17 Again’ benefits from Zac Efron’s surprisingly charismatic performance. The film offers light-hearted entertainment with a touch of heart, making it a decent watch for teen audiences.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Efron’s performance elevates a predictable plot into something more enjoyable. Thomas Lennon provides consistent laughs as the nerdy best friend. This movie won’t win awards, but it’s a solid family film.
• Roger Ebert.com: “Although 17 again isn’t an excellent movie, the plot is fairly sound and easy to follow. The writers made some pretty questionable decisions, such as having the nerdy best friend steal a bunch of scenes from the main characters.

Audience Reactions

Zac Efron’s performance was surprisingly good and showed he can do more than just sing and dance.: Viewers appreciated the blend of comedy and heartfelt moments, making it enjoyable for both teens and adults.

It was hilarious!: Thomas Lennon as Ned stole the show with his crazy antics.

Overall Consensus: 17 Again is a lighthearted comedy that benefits from a charismatic cast and relatable themes. It’s a predictable but entertaining film that offers a fun viewing experience for audiences of all ages.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming, Zac Efron experienced appendicitis, initially mistaking it for ‘bad wind’ based on Thomas Lennon’s advice.”
• “The closing credits feature actual photos of the main cast and crew when they were 17 years old.”
• “Burr Steers, known for directing ‘Igby Goes Down,’ balanced comedy and drama effectively in ’17 Again’, proving his versatility.”

🖥️ How to Watch 17 Again?

17 Again is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Netflix, and for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 17 Again, you might like these similar films:

• Big (1988): Features a similar body-swap premise where an adult navigates the world as a child, offering comedic and heartwarming moments.
• 13 Going on 30 (2004): A young girl magically becomes an adult and learns to appreciate her childhood, mirroring the theme of appreciating one’s current life stage.
• Back to the Future (1985): Involves time travel and a protagonist altering the past with unintended consequences, resonating with the second chance theme.
• Freaky Friday (2003): A mother and daughter switch bodies and gain a newfound respect for each other. This dynamic highlights the importance of family bonds, similar to Mike and his children.

🛒 17 Again Related Products

• 17 Again [Blu-ray]: Experience the movie in high definition with this Blu-ray edition, offering enhanced picture and sound quality for a premium viewing experience. Perfect for movie collectors and fans of the film.
• Zac Efron Poster: A high-quality print featuring Zac Efron as Mike O’Donnell. Perfect for decorating bedrooms, dorm rooms, or home theaters, adding a touch of teen idol charm to any space.
• High School Musical: The Concert [DVD]: Relive the excitement of High School Musical with this concert DVD featuring Zac Efron and the rest of the cast in a high-energy live performance. Perfect for fans who want to experience the music and dance from the hit movie.
• Michael Jordan: The Life: Jordan has a lot of cameos in the movie, this biography is an inside look at the life of Michael Jordan. The biography reveals new information about his career, life, and struggles, and about the greatest basketball player of all time. An autographed version of this biography would be a great collector item to keep forever.

🎧 Soundtrack

17 Again features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bust a Move” – performed by Young MC
• “Right Now” – performed by SR-71
• “Secret” – performed by The Pierces
• “La La La” – performed by The Sounds

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

17 Again was an insane movie…

Hey, check out this hilarious and engaging commentary on ’17 Again’ by Alex Meyers. He’s got some great insights on the movie’s best moments.

17 AGAIN — **NEW** SCENE ‘STAN GETS BLAMED’

Did you know there was a deleted scene in ’17 Again’? Well, now you can watch it! This clip shows a funny moment between Stan and Mike.

✨ Rate