Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann
Directed by: Burr Steers
Released: 10/04/2009
With Zac Efron gaining a legion of fans from the High School Musical franchise he has become a bonafide heartthrob. It appears being bland yet pretty in a feel good film can catapult you to superstardom. Putting High School Musical aside we are treated to Zac’s first leading man role in which he is really allowed to shine. Gone are the cheesy songs and one-dimensional characters and instead we see a real acting talent.
He stars as Mike O’Donnell, a basketball wonder kid (okay so it’s not a huge stretch) who never reaches his full potential to become a great basketball star. Fast forward a few years and Mike (Perry) at the age of 37 feels as though life has just passed him by and constantly regrets the life choices he made. His kids don’t want to know him and he is in the middle of a bitter divorce with his ex-wife (Mann), who is sick of his self-pity at having missed his chance at greatness.
At a nostalgic trip back to the school where it all went wrong he meets a caretaker who will give him his second chance. After a freak accident, which may test people’s imaginations, Michael is transformed into a 17-year-old Zac Efron for another chance at the life that had eluded him. In the process he is able to help his kids with boyfriends and bullies all under the guise of his best friend’s son. He also captures the attention of his soon to be ex-wife played by a great Leslie Mann and what ensues are some slightly awkward moments when she finds herself being drawn to him. He also becomes the love interest for his own daughter, which results in a very funny yet disturbing scene with him desperately trying to reject her advances.
The film also features a great sub plot involving Michael’s best friend, Ned (Thomas Lennon), who is aware of his best friend’s transformation but who is more concerned with courting the headmistress. Seeing Ned being coaxed into Mike’s plan to invade High School results in some of the film’s funniest scenes, with Efron and Lennon displaying great chemistry.
Although the concept may not be original and some viewers may find the story too far fetched it is a feel good family film with some great laughs. The film does lose a bit of momentum during the middle but is saved by some great performances and an ending which is not too predictable. Zac Efron is sure to gain some more fans as he proves his leading man chops while exuding a great charisma.
Rickee Bhardwaj
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