So it’s been brewing for a bit,and believe me I have been fighting it with all my energy,but I think I am beginning to seriously fall for Zac Efron. Zac has seemingly been working over time to get into my good graces and after seeing the commercials for his upcoming film “17 Again”,I just know I am goner when it comes to this dude. Now this aint the some sort of dirty crush like what I have for Ryan Reynolds or Alan Rickman (Don’t Scoff!),but its more the “gosh darn it aren’t you charming”kind. Now don’t get me wrong,I will forever be bitter that this kid was cast as Link in “Hairspray”,but I think his most recent career moves are a wonderful start to a true career outside the Disney umbrella. And apparently I am not the only who thinks this way,since the actor was given the award for Breakthrough Performer at ShoWest earlier this month.

In “17 Again”,Efron stars as a younger version of Matthew Perry’s character Mike O’Donnell after something paranormal and hijinxy happens. Zac then is confronted with viewing his life through a different framework,which I can only assume means he will become closer to his children and love his wife,played by Leslie Mann,more. While the movie might not be the most original,I like how instead of being thrown into the role of one of his kids,which would have been a direct pick up from 80′s classics like “Vice Versa”or “Like Father,Like Son”,they have him just as some random teenage kid,so that you get to actually see how kids are nowadays. And from the commercials and trailers,this could easily become the next installment in my collection of perfect Saturday Afternoon comedies,much like “13 Going on 30″and “Whatever Happens in Vegas”(don’t judge!). Also starring in the film is State alumni,Thomas Lennon,who plays Perry’s/ Efron’s best friend,which is always a comedy slam dunk in my mind. And as Efron seems to be attempting to distance himself from his Disney life,he is attempting to go the funny route. This weekend,Efron will be move up another step on the pop culture ladder when he hosts “Saturday Night Live”,with musical guests Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This coupled with the “Pool Party”video that dropped today on FunnyorDie.com marks the next step for the young Efron,the one that brings his career beyond songs and dances.

The video stars so many young Hollywooders it resembles an UsWeekly party. The scene stealers are the always funny Nicole Sullivan and Thomas Lennon,who play Efron’s embarassing Uncle Hank and girlfriend. And while its hard for anyone to hold a candle to that sort of funny,Zac does a good job as the straight man in this parody (No thats not some undercover gay joke). After all this,I’m excited to see whats the next step in Efron’s blossoming career.

So what do you think of this pool party??