Movie Review: Zapped (1982)
A raunchy 80s teen comedy about a high school science nerd who gains telekinetic powers, leading to chaos, pranks, and hilariously dated special effects. A cult favorite that captures the anything-goes spirit of the era.
COMEDYCOMING OF AGESCI-FI
Mike H.

★★★★★
The definition of an 80s guilty pleasure: goofy, raunchy, and oddly charming. Scott Baio with telekinesis? Only in the 80s.
Jose S.
California
When you think of 80s teen comedies, a handful of titles probably come to mind right away: Porky’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Revenge of the Nerds. But tucked in that same era of wild, often raunchy humor is one of the strangest entries, Zapped! (1982). This is one of those movies that feels like someone tossed together a teen sex comedy, a superhero parody, and a Saturday morning cartoon, then sprinkled it with just enough absurdity to make it unforgettable.
I’ll be honest, Zapped! is not a masterpiece in the traditional sense. But that’s what makes it so much fun to revisit. It doesn’t try to be The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles. Instead, it leans all the way into ridiculous setups, telekinetic gags, and the kind of humor that only could’ve come from the early 80s.
The Plot in a Nutshell
The story follows Barney Springboro (played by Scott Baio), a shy high school science nerd who accidentally develops telekinetic powers while working in the lab. With his new abilities, Barney can move objects with his mind, which, naturally, in an '80s teen comedy, means plenty of floating clothes, pranks, and sexual mishaps. His best friend Peyton (played by Willie Aames) encourages him to embrace the chaos, and before long, the movie turns into a mash-up of high school hijinks, outrageous set pieces, and telekinetic revenge fantasies.
What Most Reviews Don’t Talk About
Here’s what I don’t usually see discussed when people bring up Zapped!: beneath all the raunchy gags, it’s actually a pretty clever satire of high school comedies and superhero tropes. Sure, it’s heavy on the absurd humor, but there’s a sly commentary about teenage wish fulfillment. If you handed a socially awkward teen godlike powers, what would happen? Exactly what happens here: misuse, mayhem, and mischief, but also moments of sweetness when Barney tries to connect with his crush.
There’s also an interesting blend of tones. One moment you’re watching a goofy gag with flying objects, and the next, you get a surprisingly tender scene about fitting in. That balance of crass comedy and genuine heart is something a lot of 80s teen movies tried to nail, but Zapped! has its own weird way of pulling it off.
Scott Baio and Willie Aames 80s Time Capsule
The casting is another thing that makes this movie fun to revisit. Scott Baio was still riding the wave of teen idol fame, and Willie Aames was a familiar face for Gen X kids from Charles in Charge and Eight is Enough. Seeing the two of them together in such a wacky, R-rated comedy feels like a bit of an odd pairing, but it works. Baio plays the straight man to Aames’ wild, over-the-top antics, and their chemistry gives the movie its backbone.
The Special Effects 80s Charm at Its Best
Let’s be real: the special effects in Zapped! are dated by today’s standards. But that’s part of the charm. The floating objects, the levitating clothes, the over-the-top “superpower” scenes all have that old-school practical effect vibe that makes them weirdly endearing. Unlike modern CGI-heavy comedies, Zapped! embraces its limitations, and the result is a film that feels authentic to its time, clunky, goofy, but fun.
The Controversial Humor
It’s worth mentioning that Zapped! is very much a product of its era. Some of the jokes and setups definitely wouldn’t fly today, and the movie leans heavily into the raunchy side of comedy. But if you view it through the lens of 80s teen sex comedies, it fits right in with its contemporaries. Think Animal House with superpowers, but set in high school.
Why It Still Matters for 80s Comedy Fans
For fans of 80s nostalgia, Zapped! is an underrated time capsule. It’s not the kind of movie that gets the Criterion treatment, but it captures the wild, anything-goes energy of the era. It’s the kind of film you’d stumble across on cable late at night and end up quoting with your friends the next day.
For me, the fun of Zapped! comes less from the plot and more from the vibe. It’s silly, it’s excessive, and it doesn’t care about being polished. But that reckless spirit is exactly why it still holds a place in 80s movie history.
My Takeaway
Zapped! is far from perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s an unapologetic slice of 80s teen comedy culture, complete with cheesy effects, outrageous gags, and enough quotable moments to make it worth a revisit. If you’re into offbeat comedies from the era, this is one you shouldn’t overlook.
At Box Review, we like to shine a light on these cult gems because they remind us of the fun, chaotic side of 80s cinema that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. Zapped! may not top any “greatest films” list, but for sheer nostalgic entertainment, it delivers.
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