18 Again!

18 Again is another one of those 80s role reversals, which for the decade, seemed to always involved young men and their fathers or grandfathers. Here, a young man switches bodies with his grandfather, and both see what it's like to live young and old.

Charlie Schlatter is David Watson, a college kid who's quiet, and far too held back in saying what he wants to say, especially around girls. But all that changes when he switches bodies with his grandfather Jack (George Burns), a charismatic, funny old guy with a whole lot of energy who, in switching bodies with his grandson, gives David a lot of appeal. Suddenly, he does the 180 from quiet to cool. It's your typical story about learning about self-confidence aside from sharing experiences about being that age these days in the same that Vice Versa, Dream a Little Dream, and Like Father Like Son did when they were released.

But this one is much more appealing than those previously mentioned, particularly driven by George Burn's great sense of humor and universal ability to charm, and also with Charlie Schlatter doing a pretty good job trying to act like George Burns would. Schlatter is hardly an annoying or selfish teenager, and neither is Burns, and I think that's what sets this movie apart from the others as well, despite being one of many using that plot. It's well worth the time. Plus, Pauley Shore has a small part as David's cooky friend.

This is a fun comedy. It hits all the right notes for a very tired "soul-switching" genre that tended to dominate in the late-80s/early-90s. The difference is "18 Again" is the best of that genre hands-down. "Big" is a better movie, but that isn't soul-switching as much as a "child/grownup" genre. Match "18 Again" against other soul-switchers like "Dream A Little Dream", "Vice Versa", "Freaky Friday", or the horrific "Like Father, Like Son" from the same era - and you'll see a story with a heart unlike the others. In modern terms, this movie is closest to "17 Again" - although again, that isn't soul-switching as much as "child/grownup". However, I would take "18 Again" over "17 Again" simply for two reasons: Charlie Schlatter's uncanny physical mimicking - and the comedy talents of George Burns.

Charlie Schlatter is absolutely PERFECT as both David/Jack. His lovable-but-worthless "deer in the headlights" college freshman vs. that of his world-wise, confident grandfather, played by the irrepressible George Burns. The story twists with young David going through a series of let-downs that only a college freshman could experience with all the put-downs and disappointments we could expect. Enter his amazingly spontaneous and funny grandfather, Jack. Once Jack's soul enters David, we see all the confidence David needed to solve so many of his difficult situations.

The supporting cast is fine, if not a bit caricatured. However, watching Burns "inhabit" Schlatter's 18-year-old body is a joy. Schlatter should be teaching young actors/actresses on how to mimic body movements. He is simply that mesmerizing once Jack is "inside" him. It's a hoot. The part where "young" Jack tells his best friend, Charlie (Red Buttons) who he really is... It's a gem of a scene. Two legendary comedians using the body of a very capable young actor to convey joy and happiness from a bygone era... Loved it.

This is not a classic college comedy like "Animal House", "Revenge of the Nerds" or anything like that. But as a feel-good, happy little story that is well worth watching simply to watch George Burns at his best as the old gent with a wicked wit, this is a good one.

The '80s was a good time for this kind of movie. Obviously.

Not only was there "18 Again!", but there was "Big", "Like Father, Like Son" and "Vice Versa", all with the same basic idea - regaining lost youth. And in comparison with the others, this falls sorta mid-way.

Burns, as always, is great and in fine form. Schlatter does a great Burns imitation in his early scenes especially. Runyon plays basically the same character she did in "Up the Creek" an just about every other part she'd played in movies before this. But she does okay. Morris, slinky and sultry as ever, doesn't disappoint. Everyone else just kind of hangs back and lets the story take care of itself. But that's okay; it does.

Let's face it: you can only say good in a movie where Pauly Shore play a halfway tolerable person.

Seven stars. Watch "18 Again!" and if you have before, do it "Again!"!

I saw this movie almost ten years ago, and I still haven't seen a better comedy.

I enjoyed every minute. Don't miss it !!

Charming comedy about the fate that intervenes in the lives of Jack, a swinging 81 year old bachelor who has everything but youth, and his grandson David, who change souls after a freak accident. Burns is lovely, but it is Schlatter who steals the picture with a witty and youthful version of Burns.