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1. Bibliographic Information
Gibgot, J. and Shankman, A. (Producers), & Steers, B. (Director). (2009). 17 Again [motion picture]. United States of America: New Line Cinema.
Principle Actors: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry
102 minutes
Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying
UPC: 7-94043-13594-1
DVD #3000021412
2. Plot Summary
In 1989 Mike O’Donnell is a popular, athletic high school senior with dreams of getting a college scholarship for basketball. On the day of the big game, Mike’s girl friend, Scarlet, tells him that she’s pregnant. Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, Mike forgoes his chance at an education and instead proposes to Scarlet, professing his love for her and his baby. Years have passed since his high school years, and Mike O’Donnell is now in a tough situation. He has just gotten passed up for a promotion he felt he was entitled to, and he and his wife are filing for a divorce. Their two children are now in high school and Mike does not feel connected to them. When he visits his old high school, Mike wishes he could relive his high school experience and do things differently. A janitor talks with him, and suddenly, Mike has changed back into his high school body. He is still stuck in the present day; however, he realizes he has a chance to relive high school with his children. With his adult attitudes, perceptions, and knowing how his life had originally turned out, can Mike decide what is really best for himself? Will he chose to potentially live out his dreams or make things right with his family?
3. Critical Evaluation
17 Again is a movie that relies too much on the Zac Efron fan base. Like his High School Musical character, Zac Efron seems to be in familiar territory as a high school basketball player. While the movie does for the most part focus on Zac Efron, the clichéd plot lines (including the nerdy, unpopular kid turning into the millionaire to spite all the people who bullied him) and poor storyline do little to entice mature viewers. Ultimately, I found the movie to be heavy-handed. The plot revolves around an adult stuck in a teen’s body, which does not necessarily work when the character is busy telling other teenagers about safe sex, and if possible abstinence only. I’m not entirely convinced that teens would want to see a movie with essentially an adult character telling them what they should or should not be doing. This blatant attempt to maintain a “family” film with morals for teenagers is overdone. Furthermore, the morality of this film can be called into question: if Mike’s children mean that much to him, why would he even consider leaving them to pursue his dreams of college basketball? While not a terrible movie, 17 Again just comes off as ridiculous.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Mike O’Donnell’s life has never been what he expected. He gave up a college scholarship in order to marry his pregnant girlfriend, and now, years later, is heading for a divorce. When he is given the chance to go back to high school, can Mike make things right?
5. Information about the Author
Burr Steers is an actor, writer and director whose contributions include Pulp Fiction, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Igby Goes Down. He was born October 8, 1965 and is the nephew of Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Kennedy.
6. Genre
Comedy
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Have you ever wondered what it would be like to relive a part of your life?
-How do you think being an adult trapped in a kid’s body would affect your attitudes, morals, and perceptions?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that 15-16 year olds would be the extent of the interest age for this film.
10. Challenge Issues:
Since it is rated PG-13 I would recommend parents to be sure to abide by the ratings guidelines. The movie does include examples of language, sexual material and teen partying.
For more information on the ratings and the ratings system, see the Motion Pictures of America website at:
http://www.mpaa.org/
Gibgot, J. and Shankman, A. (Producers), & Steers, B. (Director). (2009). 17 Again [motion picture]. United States of America: New Line Cinema.
Principle Actors: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry
102 minutes
Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying
UPC: 7-94043-13594-1
DVD #3000021412
2. Plot Summary
In 1989 Mike O’Donnell is a popular, athletic high school senior with dreams of getting a college scholarship for basketball. On the day of the big game, Mike’s girl friend, Scarlet, tells him that she’s pregnant. Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, Mike forgoes his chance at an education and instead proposes to Scarlet, professing his love for her and his baby. Years have passed since his high school years, and Mike O’Donnell is now in a tough situation. He has just gotten passed up for a promotion he felt he was entitled to, and he and his wife are filing for a divorce. Their two children are now in high school and Mike does not feel connected to them. When he visits his old high school, Mike wishes he could relive his high school experience and do things differently. A janitor talks with him, and suddenly, Mike has changed back into his high school body. He is still stuck in the present day; however, he realizes he has a chance to relive high school with his children. With his adult attitudes, perceptions, and knowing how his life had originally turned out, can Mike decide what is really best for himself? Will he chose to potentially live out his dreams or make things right with his family?
3. Critical Evaluation
17 Again is a movie that relies too much on the Zac Efron fan base. Like his High School Musical character, Zac Efron seems to be in familiar territory as a high school basketball player. While the movie does for the most part focus on Zac Efron, the clichéd plot lines (including the nerdy, unpopular kid turning into the millionaire to spite all the people who bullied him) and poor storyline do little to entice mature viewers. Ultimately, I found the movie to be heavy-handed. The plot revolves around an adult stuck in a teen’s body, which does not necessarily work when the character is busy telling other teenagers about safe sex, and if possible abstinence only. I’m not entirely convinced that teens would want to see a movie with essentially an adult character telling them what they should or should not be doing. This blatant attempt to maintain a “family” film with morals for teenagers is overdone. Furthermore, the morality of this film can be called into question: if Mike’s children mean that much to him, why would he even consider leaving them to pursue his dreams of college basketball? While not a terrible movie, 17 Again just comes off as ridiculous.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Mike O’Donnell’s life has never been what he expected. He gave up a college scholarship in order to marry his pregnant girlfriend, and now, years later, is heading for a divorce. When he is given the chance to go back to high school, can Mike make things right?
5. Information about the Author
Burr Steers is an actor, writer and director whose contributions include Pulp Fiction, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Igby Goes Down. He was born October 8, 1965 and is the nephew of Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Kennedy.
6. Genre
Comedy
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Have you ever wondered what it would be like to relive a part of your life?
-How do you think being an adult trapped in a kid’s body would affect your attitudes, morals, and perceptions?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that 15-16 year olds would be the extent of the interest age for this film.
10. Challenge Issues:
Since it is rated PG-13 I would recommend parents to be sure to abide by the ratings guidelines. The movie does include examples of language, sexual material and teen partying.
For more information on the ratings and the ratings system, see the Motion Pictures of America website at:
http://www.mpaa.org/
11. Why was it selected?
Some of the high school girls that I coached recommended the film.
12. Citations
Internet Movie Database. (2010). Burr Steers. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0824882/
Some of the high school girls that I coached recommended the film.
12. Citations
Internet Movie Database. (2010). Burr Steers. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0824882/
Motion Picture Association of America. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.mpaa.org/
Amazon.com (2010). 17 Again. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/17-Again-Zac-Efron/dp/B001OQCUYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1268688369&sr=1-1
13. Awards
2009 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Comedy (Zac Efron) and Choice Movie Rockstar Moment (Zac Efron)
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