17 Again

Blu-Ray Review: Charming ‘17 Again’ With Zac Efron Works For All Audiences

BrianTT — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:05:10 -0600

CHICAGO – While I watched the relatively clever and surprisingly charming “17 Again,” I kept thinking the same thing - “John Hughes would have totally dug this movie.” The recently deceased king of ’80s teen comedies feels like a clear inspiration for this Zac Efron vehicle, now on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

Clearly designed to transition Efron from his “High School Musical” audience to one that can get into a PG-13 movie without a parent or guardian, “17 Again” is a bit edgier, but still a softball, mostly family-oriented comedy. Writer Jason Filardi and director Burr Steers are going for that thing that John Hughes did so well - entertainment for both teenagers and their parents.

17 Again was released on Blu-Ray on August 11th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

“17 Again” opens in 1989 as Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) is forced to choose between a basketball game and his girlfriend. (An opening scene that involved a basketball game and a musical number? Is this another “High School Musical” movie? It almost feels too calculated a shout-out to the franchise that made Efron a star.)

17 Again was released on Blu-Ray on August 11th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Flash forward twenty years and O’Donnell (now played by Matthew Perry) is in the middle of a divorce (from the lovely Leslie Mann), just got fired from his job, and is increasingly distant from his teenage kids (Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight). Mike has a moment straight out of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and gets a chance to revisit the last time he was truly happy, when he was the star of that basketball team in 1989.

Like “Freaky Friday” or “Vice Versa,” Mike the adult is instantly turned back into his 17-year-old self and assumes that he’s supposed to go back to high school and do it all over again. He convinces his dorky-but-rich friend (Thomas Lennon) to pretend to be his father and enroll him and he tries to help his son deal with bullying and self-confidence and his daughter deal with the pitfalls of falling for an older boy. Maybe he’ll even find a way to fall in love with his wife all over again.

“17 Again” doesn’t break any rules but not every comedy needs to be a trend-setter. This is the kind of comedy that Disney would have made years ago and it lives and dies on its star’s charisma, something that Efron certainly delivers. A well-cast supporting ensemble including Thomas Lennon, Melora Hardin, and the always great Leslie Mann doesn’t hurt.

The cast is mostly good, but I have to admit to absolute exhaustion at the continual casting of adults in teenage roles. Michelle Trachtenberg is TWENTY-THREE years old and she’s not that unfamiliar a face to sell herself as a teenager like an unknown would be able to do. Her boyfriend in the film (Hunter Parrish of “Weeds”) is twenty-two. “17 Again” is a much better film if Mike’s daughter is actually a teenager (and that’s not a slight on Trachtenberg’s ability, just a fact.)

Even ignoring the casting issue, “17 Again” still isn’t quite perfect. Some of it is a bit too cliched and predictable, but the film is sweeter, more charming, and frankly enjoyable than most teen films release nowadays.

Fans of “17 Again” will love the Blu-Ray release, one that’s overloaded with material aimed clearly at Efron fans. The front even says “Packed With Zac! Over 30 Minutes More With Zac”. No one can claim that they don’t know their target audience.

Special features include “Zac Goes Back: Meet the Movie’s Star Zac Efron,” “Way Cool Tell-All Trivia Track,” “Going Back to 17: Castmates Remember Their Own Teen Years,” Additional Scenes, “Zac’s Dance Flashback,” and “Breakin’ Character Outtakes”.

“17 Again” is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and looks pretty standard for Warner Brothers, which means it’s spectacular. The audio track is a little frustratingly mixed with music and sound cues much higher than the dialogue, all in a Dolby TrueHD English 5.1 track.

Check out the official room for “17 Again” on iTunes and take a look at this clip from the opening of “17 Again” before you go pick up your own copy:

‘17 Again’ is released by Warner Brothers Home Video and stars Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Hunter Parrish, Thomas Lennon, Melora Hardin, and Matthew Perry. It was written by Jason Filardi and directed by Burr Steers. The Blu-Ray and DVD were released on August 11th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 33-Image Gallery From ‘17 Again’ With Zac Efron, Matthew Perry

BrianTT — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:08:33 -0600

CHICAGO – This 33-image slideshow contains the press images for Warner Brothers’ “17 Again,” starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, and Melora Hardin. Written by Jason Filardi and directed by Burr Steers, the film opens on Friday, April 17th, 2009.

Synopsis: “What would you do if you got a second shot at life?

Class of 1989, Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) is a star on the high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlet and the baby he just learned they are expecting.

Almost 20 years later, Mike’s (Matthew Perry) glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlet (Leslie Mann) has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon).

But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool among the class of 2009.

And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Chuck Zlotnick and Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

17_again_01: Matthew Perry (center) as the adult Mike.
17_again_02: Zac Efron as Mike and Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_03: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_04: Matthew Perry as the adult Mike.
17_again_05: Zac Efron as Mike and Sterling Knight as Alex.
17_again_06: Leslie Mann as Scarlet.
17_again_07: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_08: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Matthew Perry as the adult Mike.
17_again_09: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_10: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_11: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Nicole Sullivan as Naomi.
17_again_12: Hunter Parrish as Stan, Zac Efron as Mike and Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie.
17_again_13: Zac Efron as and Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_14: Brian Doyle-Murray as the Janitor and Matthew Perry as the adult Mike.
17_again_15: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie.
17_again_16: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_17: Zac Efron as Mike and Sterling Knight as Alex.
17_again_18: Sterling Knight as Alex.
17_again_19: Zac Efron as Mike, Sterling Knight as Alex and Hunter Parrish as Stan.
17_again_20: Zac Efron as Mike and Hunter Parrish as Stan.
17_again_21: Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_22: Zac Efron goes over a scene with director Leslie Mann.
17_again_23: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_24: Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold and Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson.
17_again_25: Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson.
17_again_26: Sterling Knight as Alex, Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie and Matthew Perry as the adult Mike.
17_again_27: Zac Efron as Mike and Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_28: Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_29: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_30: Leslie Mann as Scarlet and Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_31: Zac Efron as Mike and Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold.
17_again_32: Zac Efron as Mike.
17_again_33: Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie and Zac Efron as Mike.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

2009 Warner Bros. Picture Preview: ‘Terminator Salvation,’ ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Friday the 13th,’ ‘Inkheart,’ More

BrianTT — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:29:20 -0700

CHICAGO – Warner Brothers has released a slate of images from their entire 2009 schedule of films, the first half of which are included in a 25-image slideshow below. The second half of the 2009 Warner Brothers slate will be posted a week from today, January 19th, 2009.

This 25-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Warner Brothers Pictures in the first half of 2009 including new movies starring Brendan Fraser, Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johannson, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Christian Bale, Jennifer Connelly, and Drew Barrymore.

These 2009 Warner Brothers Pictures include “Inkheart,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Friday the 13th,” “Under the Sea 3D,” “Watchmen,” “Observe and Report,” “17 Again,” “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” and “Terminator Salvation”. All films have images in the slideshow below.

The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Warner Brothers Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.

“Inkheart”
Release Date: January 23rd, 2009
Director: Iain Softley
Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Sienna Guillory, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron

Synopsis: “Mortimer “Mo” Folchart and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie, share an extraordinary gift for bringing characters from books to life when they read aloud. But there is a danger: when a character is brought to life from a book, a real person disappears into its pages. On one of their trips to a secondhand book shop, Mo locates a book he’s been searching for since Meggie was three years old, when her mother, Resa, vanished into its mystical world. But Mo’s plan to use the book to find and rescue Resa is thwarted when Capricorn, the evil villain of Inkheart, kidnaps Meggie and, discovering she has inherited her father’s gift, demands that she bring to life his most powerful ally, the Shadow. Determined to rescue his daughter and send the fictional characters back where they belong, Mo assembles a small group of friends and family—some from the real world, some from the pages of books—and embarks on a daring and perilous journey to set things right.”

“He’s Just Not That Into You”
Release Date: February 6th, 2009
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writers: Abby Kohn & Marc Silverstein
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, Justin Long

Synopsis: “An all-star cast is featured in the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life. Trying to read the signs of the opposite sex, each hopes to be the exception to the “no exceptions” rule.”

“Friday the 13th”
Release Date: February 13th, 2009
Director: Marcus Nispel
Writers: Damian Shannon & Mark Swift
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Derek Mears

Synopsis: “In this re-imagining of the classic horror film, Clay searches for his missing sister in the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins behind moss-covered trees. And that’s not the only thing lying in wait under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has, with the help of a young woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills weekend. But they are about to find much more than they bargained for. Little do they know, they’ve entered the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history—the infamous killer who haunts Crystal Lake, armed with a razor-sharp machete…Jason Voorhees.”

“Under the Sea 3D”
Release Date: Exclusively in IMAX on February 13th, 2009
Director: Howard Hall
Narrator: Jim Carrey

Synopsis: “This new IMAX adventure transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change. In IMAX 3D, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie.”

“Watchmen”
Release Date: March 6th, 2009
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: David Hayter and Alex Tse
Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson

Synopsis: “A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, the film is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” - which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union - is set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the Watchmen?”

“Observe and Report”
Release Date: April 10th, 2009
Director: Jody Hill
Writer: Jody Hill
Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta

Synopsis: “At the Forest Ridge Mall, head of security Ronnie Barnhardt patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist, combating skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun. His delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution of this crime will earn a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi, the hot make-up counter clerk who won’t give him the time of day. But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.”

“17 Again”
Release Date: April 17th, 2009
Director: Burr Steers
Writer: Jason Filardi
Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry

Synopsis: “What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O’Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike’s glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.”

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”
Release Date: May 1st, 2009
Director: Mark Waters
Writers: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Anne Archer, Robert Forster

Synopsis: “Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women…in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor’s mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul’s wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships—past, present and future. Together they attempt to find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether there is still hope for him to find true love…or if he really is the lost cause everyone thinks he is.”

“Terminator Salvation”
Release Date: May 22nd, 2009
Director: McG
Writers: Michael Ferris & John Brancato, Paul Haggis, Jonathan Nolan, Shaun Ryan, Anthony Zuiker
Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood, Common

Synopsis: “The highly anticipated new installment of “The Terminator” film franchise is set in post-apocalyptic 2018. John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future that Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to ©Warner Brothers. All rights reserved. Specific photographer credits where noted.

Inkheart_1: Helen Mirren as Elinor, Brendan Fraser as Mo, Rafi Gavron as Farid, Eliza Bennett as Meggie, and Paul Bettany as Dustfinger in New Line Cinema’s fantasy adventure Inkheart, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Murray Close
Inkheart_2: Fenoglio (Jim Broadbent, middle) finds his original manuscript for Inkheart as Mo (brendan Fraser, left) and Dustfinger (Paul Bettany, right) anxiously grab at the pages in New Line Cinema’s fantasy adventure Inkheart, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Murray Close
Hes_Just_Not_1: Drew Barrymore stars as Mary and Scarlett Johansson stars as Anna in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_2: Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi, Jennifer Aniston stars as Beth and Jennifer Connelly stars as Janine in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_3: Justin Long star as Alex and Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_4: Scarlett Johansson stars as Anna and Bradley Cooper stars as Ben in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Friday_the_13th_1: Jason (Derek Mears) prepares to slash a victim in New Line Cinema’s horror film “Friday the 13th,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by John P. Johnson
Friday_the_13th_2: Bree (Julianna Guill, left) is unsuspecting of the danger she might be in as Jason (Derek Mears) lurks in the shadows in New Line Cinema’s horror film “Friday the 13th,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by John P. Johnson
Under_The_Sea_1: A Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) shows off its ability to display an entire spectrum of color on its skin, in Whyalla, South Australia, for the filming of the IMAX® 3D film Under the Sea 3D. Photo © 2008 Michele Hall used with permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Under_The_Sea_2: A Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) shows off its ability to display an entire spectrum of color on its skin, in Whyalla, South Australia, for the filming of the IMAX® 3D film Under the Sea 3D. Photo © 2008 Michele Hall used with permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Watchmen_1: Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_2: Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II, Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_3: Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_4: Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the Comedian, Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II, Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan, Matthew Goode as Ozymandias, Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures “Watchmen.”Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Observe_and_Report_1: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comedy “Observe and Report,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Peter Sorel
Observe_and_Report_2: Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ comedy “Observe and Report,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Peter Sorel
17_Again_1: Zac Efron stars as young Mike O’Donnell in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
17_Again_2: Zac Efron stars as Young Mike O’Donnell in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
17_Again_3: Young Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) confronts the school bully Stan (Hunter Parrish) in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_1: Connor (Matthew McConaughey) reacts to Jenny’s (Jennifer Garner) quick wit in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_2: Connor (Matthew McConaughey) tries to prevent a wedding cake from toppling over in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_3: Jenny (Jennifer Garner, left) and Brad (Daniel Sunjata, right) listen to the Minister (Tom Kemp, background) announcing them married while Connor (Matthew McConaughey, center) is powerless to stop them in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Terminator_Salvation_1: Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo by Richard Foreman
Terminator_Salvation_2: Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Terminator_Salvation_3: Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo by Richard Foreman

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com