Nerdy high school science whiz Barney Springboro (a likable performance by Scott Baio) acquires telekinetic powers after being exposed to an experimental batch of premium grade marijuana. Barney uses his newfound abilities to create all kinds of comically wild havoc which includes helping his hip, wealthy best friend Payton (a winningly breezy turn by Willie Aames) hook up with snarky, yet desirable cheerleader Jane Mitchell (a delightfully bitchy portrayal by Heather Thomas). Director/co-writer Robert J. Rosenthal relates the amusingly silly story at a constant snappy pace, does a solid job of maintaining a light and breezy tone throughout, and tosses in an entertainingly nonstop barrage of admittedly dumb, but still funny lowbrow humor. An inspired send-up of "Star Trek" rates as one definite gut-busting highlight. The prom dance climax which cheerfully parodies the conclusion of "Carrie" likewise hits the sidesplitting spot. The lively and engaging acting from a game cast qualifies as a major plus: the adorable Felice Schachter as sweet school newspaper reporter geek Bernadette, Robert Mandan as pompous principal Walter J. Coolidge, Scatman Crothers as cranky baseball coach Dexter Jones, Greg Bradford as jerky college preppie Robert Wolcott, Sue Ane Langdon as ditsy English teacher Rose Burnhart, and Hilary Beane as sexy secretary Corinne Updike. Roger Bowen and Mews Small are hilarious as Barney's uptight and overbearing ultra-conservative parents. Eddie Deezen has a small role in one of his standard dweeb parts. The gorgeous Jewel Shepard pops up (and out) for a brief, but nice topless scene. Daniel Pearl's slick cinematography gives the picture an attractive polished look. The bouncy soundtrack, the endearingly chintzy (less than) special effects, and several vintage cornball early 80's musical montage sequences all further add to the infectiously goofy merriment. An absolute hoot.

I think after seeing this movie it wasn't the best acting but the plot was good and the final prom scene was worth waiting for. I especially liked the friendship of Barney Springboro, played by Scott Baio and Payton Nichols, played by Willie Ames. The sexy co-ed, Jane, played by Heather Thomas was as fine as a high school girl could be, she was snobbish and you just wanted her to really get embarrassed in the end. I just knew she had to have something interesting happen to her and low and behold it did in the prom sequence. Jane had her pink, strapless gown pulled right off her through Barney's telekinetic power leaving her in only pink matching panties, garter-belt, stockings and heels for the whole school to see. As she discovered her predicament she screamed and quickly ran off only to have Payton chase after her to try to grab her panties. Then what happened next was unbelievable, Barney got carried away, opened the gym door blowing up a stiff breeze which started to tear off everyone's clothes who were in the vicinity. Girls had their dresses ripped off them as they were down to their bras and panties. One lovely blond was shown in just a white lace g-string panty with her breasts covered by nothing but her hands. Another girl up on stage dancing, had her flirty dress blow freely in the breeze, ala Marilyn Monroe, then had it fly off her leaving her in just her white bikini panties. Still more girls were running around showing their assets in skimpy bras and panties trying hard to cover-up while guys were pursuing them. All in all it was a unique but sexy ending to a cute show and had me thinking I wished I'd have been at that prom!

I believe I'm one of the few people who are huge fans of this movie. It's not a great movie but it excels in it's 1980's cheesy-ness. Forget John Hughes and St. Elmo's Fire, if you are looking for the quintessential teen movie, it's Zapped. Scott Baio gets hit on the head and gets telekenisis powers, Willie Ames is with him as always, Scatman Crothers gets high and rides a bike through a field, girls shirts rip off. I have devoted my life to make sure as many people see this movie as possible. And the song they play at the prom, "Got To Believe In Magic" by David Pomeranz. It's beautiful, I've used it in video projects and a play I directed. It's a horrible movie but it's not in the so bad it's good category. It's a movie I can watch repeatedly and enjoy even though it is pretty bad. Stay away from the sequel you will only get scorned.

Scott Baio was hot in "Happy Days" playing Chachi, but when he played Barney in "Zapped", Chachi doesn't stand a chance against him. Being endowed with telekinetic powers, he was unstoppable. Just disrobing every girl in school was completely hilarious. I liked it when he made the popular girl flash, the boyfriend asked her "What are you, some kind of pervert?" And when he made two girls lose their shirts and the guys their shorts, that was a howl as well.The prom scene will the one Barney will never forget. The boyfriend was a complete wimp when she lost her dress and fainted when he saw her bottom. And all the other girls lost their dresses as well when Barney's power goes way out of hand. This movie was good, but it could use a little more work. I liked it a lot, I don't care what the critics say about it.5 out of 102 out of 5 stars.