Consistent with a long string of time paradox's and  time warped movies,  Mike O’Donnell is played by Matthew Perry as an adult and Zac Efron plays the teenage Mike O’Donnell.  Mike is of course very upset that his life is in shambles.  His career is on a low, his marriage on the rocks and he has only the hint of any relationship with either of his children.  In despair mike wishes for a do over.  He wants to relive his life and make things better. 

When transformed into a teenager he hangs out with his best friend and  geeky super wealthy Ned Gold and has him pose as his father to get him into school.  Ned played by Thomas Lennon and is such a ridiculous character he is actually funny. 

Mike of course now gets it!  His son is being picked on and humiliated in High School, his daughter is dating a bully / troll that wants her for sex only.  He has a new mission and feels that his real purpose is to save his children.  Along the way he also has to contend with his soon to be ex wife, once his true love! 

We have seen Freaky Friday, 13 Going On 30, or Mr. Destiny just to name of few.  However I think that in all the zany antics going on with the impossible characters that are created, the writers and directors give Zac Efron a real part as he tries to sort through the sordid affairs of his life and children.  He makes some horrible choices like having a victory party at his best friends home after a basketball game, but even that has some good moments. 

The best part of this movie is you will laugh, it has some common sense answers to complex questions for youth,  in the movie his children  and is very funny. His good looks do not escape his daughter who will fall for him as well as his wife who swears he looks just like her soon to be ex Husband only when he was a teenager!  

I liked it and was more than pleasantly shocked at how good the move was! Good afternoon matinee fun time.