The Spawn of Freaky Friday: The Triple 80’s Switcheroo films
The Spawn of Freaky Friday: The Triple 80’s Switcheroo films
Back in the 80’s body swapping was a “Big” trend. Be it growing younger or just swapping places with a family member, this was a new format that Hollywood decided to run with till we all got sick of it. Well at least until Lindsey Lohan and Jennifer Garner would lead the charge back to this formula fifteen years later with yet another Freaky Friday remake and the fem version of Big, 13 Going on 30.
But the 80’s were this type of films hey day. In the course of 12 months 3 different movies, all of them nearly the same exact plot, were released. All it seemed to try and hide the fact they had ripped off their plots from Freaky Friday by saying “Look, its guys! We’re not the same at all!” Wow, thanks for showing us just how smart you think we are studio people. In any regard, even with their lack of originality the 3fer of body swap flicks are still pretty entertaining and a nice dose of nostalgia. Let’s recap them shall we?
Like Father Like Son: October 1987
Plot Shot: Heart Surgeon father and slacker son trade bodies thanks to a mysterious potion. Hilarity and touching moments ensue.
The first of the three to be released, this one stars Dudley Moore as Kirk Cameron’s dad (wha huh?). Capitalizing on Cameron’s teen stud status the movie also co-starred a young Sean Astin. Mindless fluff, it’s still funny, and strangely surreal to watch Dudley Moore riding skateboards and trying to act like a sixteen year old.
Vice Versa: March 1988
Plot Shot: Over worked father switches bodies with his son thanks to an ancient skull. Wacky hijinks ensue.
Wow…original huh? This time around we have Judge Reinhold as the dad and Fred Savage as the kid (do they even try to get actors who even slightly look alike to play a parent and their offspring?)
Fresh off of Beverly Hills Cop 2, Reinhold is allowed to go crazy as a young kid in a big mans body. His wide eyed look is a little scary actually (and he looks downright psychotic on the movie poster). Fred Savage does a nice turn trying to be a grown up. But it’s a bit much after awhile and is formulae as can be.
18 Again!: April 1988
Plot Shot: After a car crash and a wish, a grandfather body swaps with his 18 year old grandson. Morality tales and partying ensue.
Yes, you read that date right. Only one month AFTER Vice Versa we get this body swapping tale released to theaters. But to be fair, this one’s got a bit more punch and is the first time we see the grandparents in the body swap equation. This was actually the last true starring role for Burns (who was 10 years older than the character he was playing) and I have to say I like this one better than the rest.
For one thing, they don’t have the kid trapped in the older body running around…he’s in a coma. Charlie Schlatter does an great job imitating Burns as an 18 year old. Burns does a voice over narration throughout the film, just so you don’t forget he’s around. It’s bittersweet to watch and I think more heartstring pulling than the rest.
As a side note, Schlatter, who portrayed Ferris Bueller in the doomed TV series version, has gone on to become a pretty prolific voice over actor. He’s been involved with cartoons like Over The Hedge and Kim Possible as well as video games like Metal Gear and EverQuest.
—Jessica Dwyer
