With the release of Zac Efron’s 17 Again right around the corner, I’d like to take this opportunity to address the elephant in the multiplex — namely, the fact that we’ve seen its age-reversal plot before. Many times. There was George Burns’ 18 Again! about an old-guy-turned-youngster. It came out in the same year as Tom Hanks’ Big, which was pretty much the opposite (kid-turned-adult), but oddly felt the same. And who could forget that episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch where she uses magical aging cream to seem more mature on her quest to woo barista Josh? (You know you’ve seen — and loved — it.)
The list goes on. And it certainly wouldn’t be complete without another family-friendly film called — that’s right — Seventeen Again. (Like you don’t remember the 2000 movie starring Tia, Tamera, and Tahj Mowry.) In case you’re one of the billions few who haven’t seen it, Tahj’s character conjures up some magical soap that his divorced grandparents accidentally use. And — voila! — they are 17 (again). The fact that they rekindle their love after seeing each other’s hot young self once more makes this age-reversal flick the most ridiculous in my book. But who knows, perhaps 17 Again will take the cake. Will you see it, PopWatchers? And what classics of the genre stand out in your mind?
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‘13 going on 30′ is the second best age reversal movie of all time (after Big, of course). I saw it randomly on HBO one day and loved it. ‘17 Again’ is also the type of movie I’ll wait to watch on HBO.
I likely will see 17 Again when it comes out on DVD (when you have kids, you sometimes get too busy to get to the theater).
The age-reversal movie that stands out in my mind is 13 Going on 30 – but for the wrong reasons. The movie itself was cute, but I was the same age as Jennifer Garner’s character at the proper times in the movie – when I was 13 in 1987, I was NOT into Rick Springfield and Michael Jackson (so 1982) – I had moved on to Debbie Gibson and Bon Jovi. I was so distracted by their blatant errors that I almost couldn’t enjoy the movie.
Going to see it the day it comes out. It’s all about Zac. I may have seen lots of movies like this but I really want to see how Zac does outside of High School Musical. I have always enjoed Big and 13 Going On 30.
It’s been done soooo many times, it’s not even funny (was it in the first place?).
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/16/tv-tonight-thursday-april-16th-2009/
I will not see it. Big is the best age reversal movie, though I do give props for Efron doing a decent job on SNL.
I will definitely go see 17 Again this weekend in the cinema. Mostly because Zac Efron amuses me, then because LS gave it a bad review (I don’t trust her reviews anymore)
Don’t forget “Vice Versa” with Kirk Cameron and Dudley Moore. Oh yeah, and “Like Father Like Son” with Fred Savage and Judge Reinhold. (Or do I have those switched?)
By the way, the only plot more tired is the Gender Bender switcheroo that come out every other year.
How about Vice Versa, Then there was a dudley Moore and Kirk cameron
Don’t forget Like Father, Like Son with Kirk Cameron and Dudley Moore.
The original: Freaky Friday. Ok; technically body/mind swap, but close to same thing).
I will agree with several of the posters here – 13 Going On 30 is a great representation of the genre. I have to say, though, 18 Again is fantastic. Charlie Schlatter is simply brilliant playing a young George Burns. Whatever happened to him? I loved him in that movie…sigh.
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That’s a tad creepy, how old are you?
My response was to Denise.
Classic? This genre got old after the first film, never mind the subsequent re-hashings.
13 Going on 30 has to be the best of the role reversal movies. But my vote for classic is Like Father Like Son
No, and they need to stop making these movies. Hollywood is really slackign off and running out of ideas.
Um, Freaky Friday anyone? The original, of course. I think this is the grandmother of the genre. Though “Big” did it best.
The more I see Mr. Efron on talk shows, the more I realize he is utterly lacking in an charm or leading man charisma. The media is making him out to be the next big thing, but I don’t see it in him at all. Ellen couldn’t even get a good interview out of him. He’s too young to act so guarded because of paparazzi. He’s already grumpy at 21.
As many times as we’ve seen these movies over the years, it actually sounds like it will be a good movie, and Zac Efron (from the trailers) seems like he can carry a movie.
Of course, I’ll wait for it to come out on Netflix….
Big and Freaky Friday (original or the remake which was pretty good thanks to the awesomeness of Jamie Lee Curtis)those are the best, and there’s no need for more…
I also think that “Big” was the best of the age reversal movies. I used to try biting the tiny kernels off the baby corns after seeing it.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, but in “18 Again,” didn’t George Burns’ character switch bodies with his 18-year-old grandson?
Yes. Burns switched bodies with Charlie Schattler from Diagnosis Murder.
Big and Freaky Friday are the two best. Vice Versa and Dream a Little Dream are also good.