Plot: If you've seen any body switch/time switch movie, you'll be able to predict what happens down to the last scene. Maybe even if you haven't.



10 Lessons I Learned From 17 Again

1. Scriptwriters seemed to have run out of ideas, so eighties movie plots are being recycled. I noticed this watching the trailers, too. People my age are in need of being taught life lessons that we didn't learn the first time around, so we're going back to the future. (Note to future directors: Stop. Stop already, please. Or if you do so, use lots of irony. Just a suggestion. "Back to the Future" had a lot of in jokes, but "17 Again" squanders many chances to be funny.)

2. If you were alive in the eighties, you'll recognize quite a few recycled scenes including ones from "Back to the Future," "Just One of the Guys," and the original "17 Again." Presumably the switch in age was so there could be a college application storyline. However, if you do the math, they've done some time fudging here. That's the second thing you'll notice. The first is the seeming miracle of Zac Efron turning into Matthew Perry.

3.Taking responsibility for one's actions as a teen will make you extremely miserable in the future. The best thing to do is put yourself and your needs first.

4. When you're in high school, everything seems like the end of the world. But you're really just beginning your life. Actually, I learned this one already, but it's a good message anyway.

5. Hitting on your friend's mom is no longer considered cool, at least in the Disneyverse.

6. You need to keep exercising and eating right after high school, or you'll lose your youthful physique and no longer be as attractive to the opposite sex.

7. If you go back to high school, it helps to have perfectly coiffed adorably floppy hair, nice cheekbones and unlimited access to your dad's credit card.

8. There are at least two other options to two teens having a child of their own, but this film acts like they don't exist.

9. Elvish can bring two unlikely souls together, one of whom keeps swearing that she'll never date the other.

10. Beware of elderly janitors who seem to know everything about you. They may be your spirit guides. Really.