18 Again! (1988)

Too much of everything

Some things I liked some I did not.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

"David Watson" (Charlie Schlatter) is an 18-year old college freshman who is in the process of attempting to pledge to a fraternity. His worst antagonist is a senior in that same fraternity named "Russ" (Anthony Starke) who just so happens to have a girlfriend by the name of "Robin Morrison" (Jennifer Runyon) who David is also quite smitten with. In any case, one night while out with his grandfather, "Jack Watson" (George Burns) an auto accident creates a situation in which the soul of Jack is transplanted into David—and vice versa. So now, rather than being 81 years old, Jack is now 18. And being extremely outgoing, Jack becomes quite determined to make the most of the situation. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I thought that this was a pretty good comedy all around with both George Burns and Charlie Schlatter performing in a fine manner. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Jennifer Runyon certainly helped to improve the scenery as well. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

Some people didn't like this film, but I did. It was one of the four body swap comedies that came out in the same 12 months during 1987-1988. I remember them all very well cause I was 12 and 13 then and I was always going to the movies. "18 again" was the second best of the four. ("Vice versa" was best due to very convincing and humorous acting from Fred Savage and Judge Rhinehold when they switch. "Like father, like son" was my least favorite due to very unconvincing and stupid annoying acting from Kirk and Dudley when they switch. And "Big" was Tom Hanks as a 13 year old in a 30 year old body acting more like was 6 instead of 13 when he switched and not acting anything like he did when he was actually 13). George Burns was always a good comedian, and I liked him in the "Oh god" movies. Here he switches places with his 18 year old grandson, Charlie Shlatter. The swap comes after Burn's birthday party when he says how he's happy about how he has everything he wants, except youth. Then, Burns and Charlie, in the car together, have an accident.When he comes to, Charlie in Burn's body, he discovers he's been swapped. He's shocked for a moment, but then he is ecstatic and excited, he has gotten his wish. He goes back to school and things for him change due to Burn's soul now being in Charlie's body. Before, Charlie was always being pushed around by the bullies in his fraternity, and he had no confidence with girls. Now, Burns in Charlie's body, he stands up to those bullies, makes a jerk of a teacher look bad in front of the whole class by outsmarting him and being a wise ass about it. He now, with confidence, improved his track abilities. And he now, with confidence, was able to attract and win the girl he couldn't get when Charlie was Charlie. I also liked the scene when Burns/Charlie throws a roaring 20s style party, but some of that is cause I'm a big fan of movies from Hollywood's golden age. It being an 80s movie though, I am a tad bit curious how a bunch of 80s kids were automatically able to jump into a 20s style party like that, right away knowing all the dance moves and styles from that era. I like how Burns/Charlie's girlfriend dresses and dances just like a flapper (same with all the girls at that party). I also liked how Burns/Charlie mentioned bathtub gin and said "let's roar like the stock market crash is just around the corner". I also liked the scenes of Burns/Charlie and his old friend Red Buttons when he was convincing him what really happened with him and his grandson switching. And I liked their suggestive version of "By the light of the silvery moon" that they had sang many years ago when they were younger. The one thing that bothered me a bit more in this film is how the other half, Charlie in Burn's body, was basically unconscious through most of the movie, since the souls were swapped, and Burn's body was in a coma from the car crash. But I guess it did give us more time to explore the different experiences Burns was having in Charlie's body. Still a good movie.

I honestly admired the whole film and I really didn't think I was gonna be satisfied because the rating on the film here was low including a couple of bad reviews. Regardless of what people think, I decided on this movie myself! I just couldn't get over the fact, George Burns was 92 years old when he played Jack Watson. To me, I thought he looked younger like in his late 70's! Seriously, that man really is a legend and for a man who smoked so much, Christ almighty that's so amazing yet so odd that normally people who smoke lose 14 years of their lives! That guy should've won more then an Oscar, I think he truly deserves more since I never even heard of the man before!Charlie Schlatter looked absolutely gorgeous in this especially when George Burns' character was suppose to be stuck in his body. He honestly would melt every girls heart from having the grandfather's fancy attitude. Yknow whenever he has that attitude, it gives you the feels of self confidence and being positive within yourself, I think it does make you feel good when a character doesn't give a crap on what anyone says! He was also an excellent actor who should deserve more!Very enjoyable movie!

My biggest issue with this one is why didn't the kid have more questions when he "came back" at the end?? If you think about it, everything would have made no sense to him at all.Aside from that, this is an enjoyable movie, albeit a flawed one. Charlie Schlatter had a lot of fun with the role, and I warmed up to it (at first he struck me as rather annoying). The movie mostly revolves around his performance as a re-young George Burns, and he does a pretty good job with that.I really liked the Anita Morris character; it was a rather unsympathetic role but she got into it and that made it worth watching.Jennifer Runyon is a trifle nondescript here; she doesn't get to do a whole lot other than smile and look pretty -- which she does well. She got a fair amount of lines, but there wasn't much interesting about them.Don't expect greatness here, just some silly fun, and you'll enjoy it.