Le Surdoué de la promo

And I ain't joshin'.

Why Scott Baio gets the proverbial shaft when great actors are discussed is beyond me. Here's a cat who has dated all the hottest tail and was the driving force behind what is arguably the edgiest, most acerbic teen flick ever in "Zapped!" ... yet he is often mentioned in the same breath with the two-headed Corey Monster (Haim and Feldman) and his frequent, far less dramatically astute compatriot, Mr. Willie Aames. Such degradation is tantamount to a travesty.

This movie is a cutting comedic triumph. Baio's character makes incisive observations about the empty rhetoric of adolescence, and challenges authority not only with his telekinetic powers, but alcohol, tobacco and sex. And let's examine the telekinesis closer -- is it just another one of those blessing-and-a-curse afflictions that finds the right guy or girl? Absolutely not. We're talking about a uniquely Zen ideal, a manifestation of a young man's private internal nirvana in the laboratory of the local high school. Beakers move, brooms sweep up debris, roulette wheels spin out of control, dad tosses liquid laxative all over himself uncontrollably ... this is a celluloid incarnation of unrivaled genius.

Alas, who am I kidding? This movie is stupid bad. And yet I still love it, dammit. So sue me.

Hey, it's a 1980s video-type movie. It's a one-gag picture with some amusing moments, some dumb moments, and a titillating finale. Don't pay more than a buck to rent it. Scott Baio is... well, Scott Baio. Enough said.

Zapped has only two redeeming values...the fact that it showcases the talents of the late, great Scatman Crothers (NOT a pinnacle of his career) and more importantly...the big screen debut of the lovely Miss Heather Thomas. Other than that, this movie is best watched after many, many beers...even then it may not be watchable. The story is a soft-core porno meets an ABC after-school special...lotsa boobs, extremely bad story-line, a "Star Trek" sequence that must be seen to be believed (or disbelieved!)...But somehow the 10 minutes that Heather Thomas graces the screen makes it all seem worthwhile...Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Skip the lame sequel at all costs! (Even Linda Blair doesn't save it!)

As Scott Baio's father asks him: "Son, are you on dope?" - - you'd have to be to enjoy this one!

The nerd Barney Springboro (Scott Baio) researches in the high-school laboratory means to increase the orchids of the principal and the behaviors of drunken mice under water. When the baseball coach accidentally drops one substance in another, Barney accidentally develops telekinesis power. His best friend Peyton Nichols (Willie Aames) and his school mate Bernadette (Felice Schachter) discover his secret. Peyton uses Barney´s ability to bet closer to the hot Jane Mitchell (Heather Thomas), who dates the college student Robert Wolcott (Greg Bradford). Bernadette tries to find application for Barney´s power and they fall in love with each other. Meanwhile Barney gets into trouble when Peyton decides to use his friend´s ability to make easy money.

"Zapped!" is a silly comedy that entertains. There are a couple of funny scenes and many hot girls, highlighting the sexy Heather Thomas. The viewer can see this film in a rainy day with few alternatives of entertainment. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Mistura Especial" ("A Special Mixture")

Zapped secured the services of three current teen stars to guarantee a box office for this comedic salute to Carrie. The three are Scott Baio from Happy Days, Willie Aames from Eight Is Enough, and Felice Schachter from The Facts Of Life. Would that things had only gone this well for Carrie on her prom night.

Nerdy kid Scott Baio, a misunderstood science genius, gets some kind of chemicals mixed due to baseball coach Scatman Crothers spilling something and a noxious gas overtakes him in the laboratory in school. When he wakes up he finds himself with the power of telekinesis. After that it's one ridiculous situation after another.

One thing about this film, except for the three leads nearly everyone else in the movie is a blithering idiot. Other kids, teachers, Baio's parents, Scatman Crothers is an exception. Best scene in the film is on prom night Baio's parents get a couple of priests to perform an exorcism on him.

As for the prom, the scene is strictly a takeoff on Brian DePalma's Carrie with the damage played for laughs instead of violence. Typical brat pack comedy by three who were trying to break into the pack. Some funny scenes, but mostly kind of dopey.