ZAPPED

US, 1983, 93 minutes, Colour.
Scott Baio, Willie Aames.
Directed by Robert J. Rosenthal.

Zapped is an example of American film-making designed for the teenagers of the early '80s. It has the campus setting (echoes of Grease and less reputable campuses as those where you have Fast Times at Ridgemont High). The teenagers in this school are more clean-cut than many others - especially in the form of television's Scott Baio and Willie Aames. The girls are attractive - but probably older. The teachers are the usual inane crowd - with Sue Anne Langdon making a daffy reappearance.

The content of the film is minimal ~ Scientist Scott accidentally discovers a power to un-zap things, especially girls' clothes. It is used against bullies and to win baseball matches. This is the kind of thing that was popular with Disney films - variations on The Invisible Man and Flubber. The tone of the film has an emphasis on sex. In fact, Willie Aames is a real Don Juan round the school with teachers and pupils. He upstages a Robert Redford lookalike. Scatman Crothers is also there to give some black rhythm and Elderly jokes to the proceedings.

All in all, an example of briskly-made inane shenanigans - with a snicker.