Zac Efron expands repertoire

written by Sara Schlueter

May 6, 2009

Zac Efron, star of the film “17 Again” makes one of his first big movies that was supposed to stray away from the preteen High School Musical feel that skyrocketed him into the spotlight. The first scene however is of a young Mike O’Donnell (Efron) in 1989, wearing a basketball uniform, and of course shedding the top to the delight of hundreds of adoring female fans. (Sound familiar?)

Even though Efron plays the basketball star, the movie is nothing like what the typical High School Musical fan would have expected. Matthew Perry plays Mike O’Donnell the main character of the movie Mike O’ Donnell as a thirty-seven year old father and husband to his high school sweetheart Scarlett (Leslie Mann). The movie focuses on how O’ Donnell wants to relive the best years of his life, so he falls into a highly unrealistic whirlpool that changes him to be seventeen.

The comedy of the film comes through in O’Donnell’s best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon) who is a huge Star Trek fan but also is a mega millionaire. Ned has the most awkward and sometimes uncomfortable scenes in the movie, but the absurdity of the character really adds to the movie overall and provides many laughs.

As O’Donnell relives being seventeen again, he is able to find out what his two kids’ lives are really like and what he has missed out on. The movie deals with the various issues that his kids face in high school and that teenage kids can relate to such as bullying and relationships. The topic matter, however, deals with subjects that are not suitable for the preteen fans of Efron who flocked to the theaters to see him as a Disney Star.

Some of the most touching moments in the movie are when the young O’Donnell comforts his daughter as she deals with the break-up of her boyfriend. The movie makes the young teenage fans wish that guys were like Mike O’Donnell in real life as he tries to get the teen girls at the high school to respect themselves and as he acts more like a father than a immature high school guy.

“17 Again” is a great film to see with your friends if you are in the mood for a comedy, but it has truly emotional moments as well. Although to some people who watch the movie it may seem as though all Zac Efron can do is play the attractive basketball jock, this movie helps to show his true comedic side, without the singing.

Comments

Got something to say?





Recent Sports Scores

See All Sports Scores

Upcoming Games
Girls Basketball vs. State AAA Trny
Wed, Mar 17 TBATarget Center
Baseball vs. First Day Practice/Tryouts
Mon, Mar 22 TBABSM
Baseball vs. Irondale HS
Thu, Apr 08 4:15 p.m.Irondale HS
Baseball vs. Chisago Lakes HS
Tue, Apr 13 4:15 p.m.Chisago Lakes HS
Girls Diving vs. Edina
Sat, Apr 17 1:00 p.m.Braemer Fields
Baseball vs. Cooper
Mon, Apr 19 4:15 p.m.Cooper
Click on any sport above to see a full schedule for that sport.
Meet the KE Staff

Katie Hoesley

Online Sports Editor

Katie is the definition of might and power. In 1941, she led a prolific team of scientists into the frozen tundra of Antarctica to discover a more visceral aspect of the Polar Bear. However, tragedy struck... Continue Reading »

Humor

Olympic obsession

It was the first day of March and I had fallen into a deep depression. No, it wasn’t because I realized that we were... 

Mar 9, 2010 | Comment | Read More »

Truth about texting

Whenever my phone vibrates, a chill of equal tectonic force runs down my spine. I piece myself together and thumb through... 

Mar 1, 2010 | Comment | Read More »
Recent Comments
  • Kylie Hammell: Thank you for writing a story about BSM needing to improving the sexual education program. Not only...
  • Amelia Wallace: I agree completely! This young, Catholic woman has a valid point. Our schools have a responsibility...
  • kyle hale: Hello, My name is Kyle Hale, I am the district manager for HomeMade in Minnesota, thank you for the nice...
  • Liz Lawton: I can’t believe people have the time to play. As for children playing it, it’s pretty sad...
  • Dean and Becky Ribich: President Tift, We want to thank you for personally and professionally for having the...