Perfectly adorable

Charming and brutal

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

"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.

David Watson (Charlie Schlatter) and his friend Barrett (Pauly Shore) are college students. He suffers under his frat brother Russ and pines for Russ's girlfriend Robin Morrison. He has a hard-nosed wealthy businessman grandfather Jack Watson (George Burns). His father Arnie works for Jack and concerned about Jack's wild companion Madeline. On his 81st birthday, Jack wishes to be 18 again. Jack takes David out for the night but they get into a car accident. Jack ends up in a coma. David wakes up with Jack's consciousness. He is surprised at David's sad life and his love of painting instead of business. He confides in friend Charlie (Red Buttons) about the switch.There are two problems with this body-switch movie. Charlie Schlatter doesn't get George Burns quite right. Sometimes he's good but not always. Schlatter needs to do a better Burns impression because everybody knows how he act. As for Burns himself, it would be great for him to do something different. Instead, he's stuck in a coma for most of the movie. Once he goes into a coma, he only gets a few dream sequences where he is the same Burns. The story is the standard body-switch. It has some fun moments but is mostly a disappointment.

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.

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 !!