While the whole de-aging or time traveling storyline has been done over and over, it does seem to see a resurgence in pop culture every few years. The movie doesn’t really offer any kind of fresh perspective on the story telling, but it does do one thing different. When most movies offer the chance to be young again, change the past, the writers actually take you to the past. In this version Matthew Perry become Zac Efron, but he’s still existing in the same day and age as his own kids.

Zac Efron was the perfect choice for the lead role at seventeen, although I am hoping that after this he doesn’t have to play basketball in every film role he takes on. He does a great job of conveying the maturity of an adult with two kids who wants to keep his family together, as well as a guy who wants to embrace his youth because he feels he was cheated out of it. I was actually really impressed with the depth of emotion Zac demonstrated throughout the film, especially in one particular scene, which I’m sure you’ll know when you see it. It’s not that I never thought he was a good actor; I just don’t think a lot of his roles have allowed him to show much range. Here, he really carries the film.

Another pleasant surprise was Sterling Knight’s performance. Having only seen him on the Disney Channel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew he had great comedic timing and the ability to overact as Disney’s version of a ladies man, but his part in this film was very different. He’s the insecure kid getting picked on by his older sister’s boyfriend, and he’s completely believable. It was a nice turn from his work as Chad Dylan Cooper on Sonny With A Chance. Yes, the movie is predictable, but yes, it also just as funny and heartfelt as you may have heard. See it. You’ll enjoy it.

However, I have to say I loved the movie. It has a great cast beyond Zac Efron. Michelle Trachtenberg plays his daughter, nothing too special about her performance just as I wasn't overwhelmed with Matthew Perry as the adult Mike. Sterling Knight (from Sonny with a chance) plays his son Alex and does a great job. Sterling seems to have a good sense of comedic timing. Hopefully we'll see more of him soon. Leslie Mann as Mike's wife Scarlett is brilliant. Melora Hardin (Jan from the Office) is the school principal and one of the best cast members in the entire movie is hysterical. As a permanent nerd, he's just too funny.

As for the movie, okay, my biggest problem is that there's no way the timing works. See, supposedly the reason Mike is unhappy with his life is because he married his pregnant high school girlfriend but wonders what his life could have been. Yet 20 years later his oldest daughter is 18? Otherwise, there really isn't any originality to the story. It's a backwards Big or 13 Going on 30, (unlike several reviews have said it is not like Freaky Friday and if you haven't seen Big go rent it) and

plenty of old cliches are used. The beauty is truly in the cast. They bring the movie up to a far better level. Zac Efron and Leslie Mann especially never make their scenes feel creepy, just like if the kids show up it will be awkward. Somehow the love shines through.

Overall, I would highly recommend this movie. I'll bet good money you'll walk out a fan.