cultfilmfreaksdotcom
Sort of a MODERN PROBLEMS of the teen set or a racy update of the Disney DEXTER films, ZAPPED stars Scott Baio as a brainy scientific high school whiz kid Barney. After womanizing rich kid Peyton, played by future CHARLES IN CHARLES co-star Willie Aames, pours beer into a potion that explodes in the laboratory, Barney's able to move things around at will: ranging from bullies to girl's skirts and not in that order.Too silly for the college crowd and too dirty for kids, the lighthearted tale never quite knows where it's going, or why. But the banal venture is not without merit. Felice Schachter's spectacled beauty Bernadette, as a snoopy journalist student, is a good love interest, providing a conscious for our hero, eventually using his power to gamble.Scenes involving Barney's skills to save his troublesome friend out of sticky situations, mostly involving ingénue hottie Heather Thomas and her jerky college beau, are engaging with dated yet somewhat impressive special effects. As are the segments where Barney causes a ventriloquist dummy to stalk his religious zealot mother (Mews Small).Okay, so it's no comedy classic, but all the hijinx magic, leading to homage of CARRIE – Barney turning the prom into a frantic tornado – is fun enough to keep you entertained. And what else do you expect from a film with this title? For More Reviews: www.cultfilmfreaks.com
TOMASBBloodhound
Zapped is essentially a teen-aged version of the Chevy Chase film Modern Problems in which a seemingly normal person suddenly gains telekinetic powers. In Zapped, Scott Baio plays a nice, but nerdy high schooler who accidentally gives himself the power to move objects after a lab experiment goes awry. Baio seems befuddled by these new powers. His hotshot friend (played by Willie Ames of course) wants him to use his powers for monetary gain. A nosy school reporter babe wants to turn the whole thing into a big story. Actually the funniest thing Baio does with them is befuddle his overbearing parents.This is a relatively cheap effort that produces only sporadic laughter. Baio and Ames are a passable team. Heather Thomas is incredibly gorgeous, but the end credits confirmed my suspicions about her nude scenes. They were in fact done by a body double. The film scores additional points for having several scenes that reference other films in a humorous way. I think I noticed Taxi Driver, Carrie, The Exorcist.... there may have been others. The film loses stars for a dumb subplot involving the school principal and an affair with his secretary. Also there are a couple really bad slow love songs on the soundtrack. The film is worth about 5 of 10 stars. Add the Scatman Cruthers bonus star and we get a 6 out of 10.The Hound.
Owl007
This highly under-rated film of the early 80's is not only a masterpiece but a film of immense cultural significance. One that really should be studied in any film course that is on offer at tertiary institutions around the world. It not only shows good versus evil it has such grand themes as science versus nature and a meditation on the religious right that is often over looked by the more carefree viewer.These grand precepts joined with a killer soundtrack just reinforce this film as a piece of cinematic wizardry.Furthermore the cast and the special effects contribute to these points and it is imperative that when one views this motion picture these underlying themes and points are taken on board to ensure a true appreciation of possibly the greatest film ever produced.A must see!
triple8
Though this is watchable, it does get a little played after awhile. For some reason, this movie isn't as good as one thinks it could be, when you first hear what its about. I think zapped could have been a little more creatvie in how the powers were actually put to use, to many girls being disrobed etc etc, it's fun at first-but there's nothing done thats spectacular or strongly memorable. It is just a nice little movie about a boy who develops special powers. The movie could have had more of a field day with creative innovative ways to use those powers! But nothing special happens at all.This movie isn't especially terrible but cannot come close to some of the more well done 80's movies, not enough creativity went into developing an entertaining idea. The movie becomes a bit to formulatic and "been there,done that". I'd give this just a 5 out of 10. Not bad, but not particularly good either.
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