17 Again Blu-ray Review

"17 Again" arrives on Blu-ray with an exemplary 1080p/VC-1 encode that sets a high standard for its genre. Boasting a warm and vibrant palette with mild bronze hues, this transfer ensures natural skintones and a lively, consistent contrast, providing the image with exceptional depth and dimensionality. The detail is striking, offering crisp object definition and sharp texture clarity, culminating in rich, fully-resolved black levels. Particularly notable are the scenes in Ned's house, which are intricately detailed, showcasing obscure comic books and movie memorabilia that are a delight for fans. The overall picture is clean, free from artifacting, banding, source noise, aliasing, and DNR, creating an almost enchanting viewing experience from start to finish.

While the VC-1 encoded transfer remains robust throughout, it does have minor flaws. There is some noticeable edge enhancement that slightly hampers the overall presentation. Additionally, in the effects sequence featuring the whirlpool vortex, black levels blend together, diminishing the clarity of the scene. However, these issues are fleeting and do not significantly detract from the overall high-quality transfer. Digital noise and other anomalies are non-existent, maintaining a pristine and detailed image with colors that pop. Overall, viewers will find the high-definition video transfer to be remarkably clean and visually satisfying, far exceeding typical genre expectations.

Warner’s Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track for "17 Again" offers an effective and engaging audio experience. Although the film is predominantly dialogue-driven, the front speakers handle these sequences with ease, ensuring clear and well-prioritized dialogue. When the rear speakers and subwoofer are utilized, the soundscape becomes immersive and dynamic. Notable highlights include the janitor's fountain of youth, where the low-frequency effects (LFE) roar to life, and Ned’s chaotic battle with newly shrunken Mike, which features consistent and engaging rear speaker activity.

The soundtrack also delivers punchy bass during the film's party scenes and well-articulated sonic details in basketball game sequences. There are moments when the directionality of audio, especially in the hallways of Mike’s school, seems a bit inconsistent, and a few conversations can appear off-center. Additionally, the film’s soundtrack occasionally gets overshadowed by other elements of the mix, although this is a minor issue that doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. Despite a few imperfections, the surround track does a commendable job of drawing listeners in and enhancing the film's most dynamic moments.

"17 Again" on Blu-ray offers limited but high-definition (HD) supplemental content exclusive to this edition, though it leaves much to be desired in terms of depth and engagement. The extras include a trivial trivia track with superficial information and pop culture references, a standard making-of featurette, and brief outtakes and featurettes. While these are presented in HD, the content itself is somewhat uninspiring and can be swiftly navigated. Promises of additional BD-Live features like a Zac Efron feature commentary remain unmet until the film's official release. Fans might find the current supplements lackluster but enjoy the few entertaining moments.

Extras included in this disc:

• Way Cool Tell-All Trivia Track: Trivia and pop culture references related to the film.
• Zac Goes Back: Making-of featurette with interviews.
• Breakin' Character Outtakes: Behind-the-scenes outtakes.
• Going Back to 17: Cast reminisce about high school years.
• Additional Scenes: Sixteen minutes of deleted scenes.
• Zac's Dance Flashback: Efron learning '80s dance moves.

"17 Again" emerges as an intriguing blend of clever writing and a strong ensemble cast. The narrative revolves around high school senior Mike O'Donnell, played by Zac Efron, who forfeits a bright future when he learns his girlfriend is pregnant. Fast forward twenty years, and Mike, now portrayed by Matthew Perry, faces a midlife crisis as a divorcee stuck in a dead-end job. His life takes an unexpected turn when a mystical encounter transforms him back into his 17-year-old self. Enlisting his wealthy, geeky best friend Ned Gold, portrayed hilariously by Thomas Lennon, Mike returns to high school and realizes his second chance at youth is meant to help others.

What ultimately makes "17 Again" watchable and, at times, charming, is its commendable supporting cast. Lennon’s performance as the eccentric millionaire-fanboy provides the film with its most delightful moments. Equally strong are Leslie Mann's portrayal of Mike's estranged wife and the clever comedic cameos by Melora Hardin and Jim Gaffigan. Despite Efron’s lack of nuanced comedic timing when juxtaposed with his seasoned co-stars, he manages to deliver a heartfelt closing speech. Nonetheless, the film sticks closely to genre conventions, with Burr Steers’ direction unable to rise above the predictable and clichéd screenplay.

The movie's charm lies in its spirited secondary characters and the blend of humorous and touching scenes. The marketing strategy focusing on Zac Efron's star power from "High School Musical" fame may appeal to tweens but overlooks the film's broader potential audience. While some viewers might cringe at the tween-centered marketing and its superficial veneer, those giving it a chance will find "17 Again" to be a family-friendly film that delivers both laughs and moral lessons, albeit through a familiar and sometimes clichéd storyline.

"17 Again" offers a blend of comedy and heartfelt performances that provides a modern twist on the classic high school tale. Zac Efron delivers an enthusiastic performance, supported by memorable turns from Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, and Thomas Lennon, who add layers of humor and emotional depth to the film. Despite its predictable plot, the film's execution keeps the audience entertained, especially those with a penchant for feel-good teen comedies.

The Blu-ray edition of "17 Again" ensures a commendable viewing experience. The video transfer stands out with its sharp detail and vibrant color fidelity, enhancing every scene from high school escapades to introspective moments. The Dolby TrueHD track complements the visual quality with clear, immersive audio that brings the film's comedic and dramatic beats to life. Though the supplemental package is somewhat underwhelming, lacking in substantial bonus content, the technical presentation more than compensates for this shortfall.

In conclusion, "17 Again" isn't going to win any awards for originality, nor does it announce Zac Efron as the next Brad Pitt, but it's a fairly decent waste of time with some solid supporting performances. While the Blu-ray edition's weak supplemental package leaves a lot to be desired, its video transfer is quite remarkable and its Dolby TrueHD track is strong. Give it a rent if you're a fan of the genre or have a teenage girl in the house. Otherwise, proceed with caution.