This was a very nice movie! It did have some cussing in it that I am not comfortable with listening to, or saying. Some girls just want to have sex with this one boy and one doesn't even care if he remmbers her name or not as long as he sleeps with her. Very nice, and moving. Other than those things it was very good! One of my favorites!
17 Again
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
So-so comedy will amuse young Efron fans more than parents.
Themes in this movie include: growing up
updated 09.25.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–13
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of 17 Again was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Parents need to know that they may want to think twice before letting young tween High School Musical fans see this PG-13 rated comedy, which is edgier than most of star Zac Efron's previous work. There's a scene of teens drinking at a party and a fair number of sexual references. It's generally more talk than action, but there's some making out, a teen girl gets pregnant, and one character hoards condoms. But curse words are few and fairly mild ("ass" and "bitch") and violence is at a minimum (of the two "fight" scenes, one is cartoonish, the other lukewarm). Parents may appreciate the fact that Efron's character implores his fellow teens to make so-called "smart" decisions about sexual activity and college.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what this movie teaches teens about the importance of their behavior and decisions, particularly when it comes to things like sex. Are those messages clear amid the comedy? Is it easier to hear those messages from Zac Efron than from parents?
- Families can also talk about the ongoing popularity of movies about adults revisiting their younger years. Why is that kind of story so appealing?
- How does this movie compare to others in that genre?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on 17 Again
What’s the Story?
Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) is at a crossroads: Facing 40 and an impending divorce from the high school sweetheart (Leslie Mann) he married when they found out she was pregnant, he longs for another try at greatness. A mysterious janitor grants his wish, magically returning him to his 17-year-old self (though not sending him back in time) -- a teenager whose future seems bright with the promise of popularity, possibility, and a basketball scholarship. But, as Mike discovers, the past has a way of looming large, clouding the present and ruining the future. Is it too late to undo the damage?
Is It Any Good?
Face it: We've seen this movie before. The storyline's so familiar (Big, anyone?) that it's practically its own genre -- though fine acting from the cast, especially Efron, does help 17 AGAIN rise a bit above the predictability. As the young Mike, Efron is indisputably watchable, emitting charisma from every pore. He's game, too, giving himself over to scenes that could have played tepidly and awkwardly -- Mike the teenager fending off the advances of his own daughter, who's not aware he's her dad, for example -- but generally don't. (Runner-up awards go to Mann and Thomas Lennon as older Mike's proudly nerdy friend Ned Gold.)
But good acting doesn't automatically make for a good movie, and, as directed by Burr Steers (who's helmed such deliciously subversive titles as Weeds, Big Love, and Igby Goes Down), 17 Again lacks edge. Yes, there are jokes about cougars and Lord of the Rings fanatics, but that's small potatoes. And though it's good to see Perry on the big screen again, he's woefully underused. Anyone over 12 or 13 is also likely to roll their eyes at the movie's High School Musical references (the opening, which includes glimpses of a sweat-drenched Efron shooting hoops, practically threatens a song-and-dance number). It's clearly a play for the HSM audience, but it ends up feeling like a cheap -- and unnecessary -- shot. Bottom line? Manage your expectations, and it may end up being worth the popcorn, especially for your teens.
Movie Details
Studio: New Line Cinema, Director: Burr Steers
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 4/17/2009, DVD release: 8/11/2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 4/17/2009, DVD release: 8/11/2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying
Our Members Say
See all 129 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Nice movie.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
really good movie but no really appropriate at several parts!!!! bad language
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I loved this movie. it made me laugh and cry. I wouldn't waych it with my parents though. not good for immature tweens. (doesn't spoil...) in one of the scenes, a guy touches the principles hand and says, "i think our hands just made a baby." i died laughing. it has some bad launguage. but it doesn't say the f word. it is really about family. three girls really like zachs character, but they don't really do anything to him. it is a great movie.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Another coming-of-age movie, with an Efron spin.
When I saw this movie, at first I was surprised that Zac Efron was in it because of the more mature content. There are a lot of sexual references like in the health class. Also, there is an out of control party. Besides that, the movie was a little odd, but good too.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
very funny and amusing but definitely has mild profanity and sexual references. i really discourage families from letting 10 and under watch it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
My friends and I enjoyed the movie but some scenes were inappropriate for my sister (who is 8). If you are going to see this movie, be careful who you bring.
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
VERY funny..innapropriate though.
I think it was an overall good movie. but definetly not something i would want to sit down and watch with my parents.. theres alot of sexual references throughout and it was funny, but innapropriate.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
good funny movie 11 over
very funny good for family 11 and over
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
This movie I must warn has a lot of grown up talking in it. Therefore, yougsters do not need to watch this movie. This movie is really good for older teenagers.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Zac is great!
I thought this was a cute movie. Zac Efron fans will like it, although the younger fans should beware of some mild language, teen drinking, and sexual references. Overall, this movies was funny and parents shouldn't be afraid to let their children watch it.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
It's okay for tweens
I think that it is really gross when Zac kisses his friends mom.
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
This was good for kids older than 14 who understand that sex at a young age is wrong
The movie was good but you could tell that all the language and others that aren't appropriate for kids weren't absolutly needed.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
great for 10 and up
parents this is a fine movie i loved it. it's funny there are 6-7 swears and some some sexual behavior but other than that it's fine. nothing i hadn't heard or seen before.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
If you're the right age, overall a great movie
17 Again was a great movie, with a great message. it was refreshing and different from other recent movies, with a heartfelt message to go along with it. A guy who resents marrying his wife and giving up college at a young age, is seventeen again and is reminded why he married her, and makes him appreciate his life and he then wants it back. it demonstrates hardships in relationships with the dad and kids, wife and husband, and inner conflict with finding where and who your supposed to be. there were sexual refrences that would be okay for mature 12 year olds, but no younger than that. other than that and mild language, the movie is overall appropriate. i would definitely recommend it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great movie for teens
Loved the movie! It was very funny! Some parts are inappropriate like there is this 1 part where they talk about "making love" during a science class. A lot of brand names. But other than that it is a fun movie about a guy who makes his life right again when he is turned back into a 17 year old.
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
Not a movie for tweens, very entertaining though
Okay, I did enjoy this movie (I'm 43) but took my 11 year old to see it and was horrified. Generally we don't do Pg13, so perhaps I should have done some research beforehand, but it definitely wasn't appropriate for a 5th grader. She and most of her peers have just learned the facts of life, and what a condom is. To have the health teacher handing them out in class by the handful in the movie (?!) was not something I expected. The movie begins with Zac's character (a high school kid) learning his his girlfriend is pregnant. Obviously in the next few years all of these ideas will be thrown at her when she gets to middle school, but I'd like to keep the child in her while I can. The positive messages were there, and I don't have an older child so I'm not really sure what age this WOULD be appropriate for but probably 13 or 14 at the least. At the very least if you see it with a younger child ... have your remote control ready to pause and talk about some of the issues about what your own values are. There are some really good talking points.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Looks okay for under 10, really just for 13+
The trailers for this movie make it look little kidish, so when I saw the movie, I was surprised. 40% plus had to revolve around sex, which was a little bit of a shocker for me. also, the bullying had a lot of harsh swears but they were only used once and never again, which was a good thing. Over all, I loved the movie! It had a great story and taught a lesson, which I thought added a little bonus. Also, it was pretty funny and I thought the actor of Ned did a great job. Finally, I also agree with dreweth. Just because Zac Efron is in it and the trailiers look good doesn't mean it's appropriate for them. Grade: B+
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Good movie for aging Zac Efron fans, some awkward parts.
Funny? Check. Big-name actors? Check. Should you take your "Zac Efron Tweens"? No. Teens should watch it, but please don't take your Elementary school Die-hard HSM fans just because it has Zac Efron in it.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I thought the whole movie was just fine. There might of been two curse words, but people are overreacting if there thinking a Zac Efron movie is too much for their kids. If parents are concerned, they need to rent it first and see what it is about and then decide if they want their kids to see it. I'm 16 years of age- and to be honest with you... this movie is nothing compared to what kids at school say everyday!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 72% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 31% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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