If Zac Efron really is trying to leave the extremely successful "High School Musical" movies behind him, he could certainly do a lot worse than "17 Again" as a so-called "transition project."

　　 The film still has some things in it that make his fans happy — he dances (but doesn't sing) and he plays basketball, without a shirt on at one point.

　　 And even though he's still not what you'd call a great actor, he does have enough charm to win himself a few new followers here.

　　 As for the film itself, it's definitely familiar and formulaic. Among others, this comic fantasy borrows from "13 Going on 30," "Big" and even "It's a Wonderful Life." But it also has some charm to it as well.

　　 The film's title refers to Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry), who's been failing spectacularly, both in his personal life and professional life, for 20 years. (A once-promising athlete, he married his pregnant high school sweetheart and settled for supposed mediocrity.)

　　 The unhappy 30-something falls into a whirlpool that somehow causes him to revert back to his teenage form (Efron).

　　 Mike is horrified at first, but then he realizes he has a chance to re-live his "golden years." He pretends to be the son of his nerdy but rich pal, Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon), and heads back to school.

　　 He also keeps a close eye on his estranged wife, Scarlett (Leslie Mann), and his two high school student children, Maggie and Alex (Michelle Trachtenberg and Sterling Knight).

　　 Director Burr Steers and screenwriter Jason Filardi get more mileage out of this material than you'd think. The cast certainly helps there.

　　 They're also smart enough to play to Efron's strengths as a performer. (He does a pretty convincing approximation of Perry's unique mannerisms, for example.)

　　 And in support, Lennon (TV's "Reno: 911!") is a hilarious scene-stealer. A subplot about his character clumsily trying to woo the school principal (Melora Hardin, from "The Office") is so fun you almost wish the whole movie was about them instead.