By means of an accident the soul of David and his swinging grandfather get swapped. While the grandfather's body is still in coma, he enjoys having a young body again and repairs some facts...
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Title: 18 Again! (1988)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| George Burns | ... | Jack Watson / David Watson | |
| Charlie Schlatter | ... | David Watson / Jack Watson | |
| Tony Roberts | ... | Arnie Watson | |
| Anita Morris | ... | Madeline | |
| Miriam Flynn | ... | Betty Watson | |
| Jennifer Runyon | ... | Robin Morrison | |
| Red Buttons | ... | Charlie | |
| George DiCenzo | ... | Coach | |
| Bernard Fox | ... | Horton | |
| Kenneth Tigar | ... | Professor Swivet | |
| Anthony Starke | ... | Russ | |
| Pauly Shore | ... | Barrett | |
 |
Emory Bass | ... | Art Teacher |
|
|
Josh Devane | ... | J.P. (as Joshua Devane) |
| Benny Baker | ... | Red | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
By means of an accident the soul of David and his swinging grandfather get swapped. While the grandfather's body is still in coma, he enjoys having a young body again and repairs some facts in David's life, who he finds not to be self-confident enough. Written by Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
Taglines:
Be careful what you wish for... it just might come true! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 April 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Eighteen Again! See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$1,475,645, 10 April 1988, Wide ReleaseGross USA:
$2,567,099Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Part of a late 1980s mini-cycle of age-swap / body-swap pictures. The movies included Big (1988), 18 Again! (1988), Vice Versa (1988), Dream a Little Dream (1989), and Like Father Like Son (1987). See more »Goofs
For David's big race, Charlie gives him the running shoes that he wore back in 1928, however the leather on sixty year old shoes would have deteriorated to point that the shoes would be unusable. See more »Quotes
David Watson: I don't want to hit a lady, Horton, but I wouldn't mind hitting her.See more »
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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.