Watch Zapped Again!

Zapped Again! is a teen comedy film released in 1990 and a sequel to the 1982 film Zapped! The movie stars Todd Eric Andrews, Kelli Williams, Reed Rudy, and Maria McCann in key roles. Directed by Doug Campbell, the film aims to capture the same mixture of high school rebellion, teenage angst, and sci-fi hijinks that its predecessor did nearly a decade earlier.

The story centers around Kevin Matthews (played by Todd Eric Andrews), a new student at Emerson High School who stumbles upon the laboratory of the original film's character, Barney Springboro. In an unexpected turn of events, Kevin accidentally exposes himself to a chemical concoction left behind from Barney's earlier experiments. Much like Barney, Kevin discovers that the accident has granted him telekinetic powers, a supernatural ability that allows him to move objects with his mind.

As with many high school-themed comedies, Kevin's newfound abilities quickly become the central focus of the plot. The shy and awkward teen sees it as an opportunity to improve his standing in high school, particularly among his peers and the opposite sex. Kevin teams up with his best friend, Wayne (Reed Rudy), and they begin to explore the potentials and pitfalls of his telekinetic capabilities. The pair are at heart benign pranksters, looking to inject some fun into the otherwise mundane high school routine.

One of the key relationships in the film is the budding romance between Kevin and the sweet, intelligent girl-next-door, Lucy (played by Kelli Williams). Despite his growing popularity and ability to impress, Kevin is drawn to Lucy's authenticity and kindness. She becomes an integral part of the story as Kevin navigates his new powers, high school politics, and the challenges of young love.

As Kevin becomes more adept at controlling his powers, his antics grow bolder, inevitably setting him up for conflicts with various school authorities and bullies, as well as placing him at the center of larger-scale comedic set pieces. Much of the film's humor derives from the absurd situations Kevin finds himself in, often as a result of his telekinesis and the misunderstandings it causes. However, the heart of the film remains in the coming-of-age narrative, with Kevin eventually needing to make choices about the ethical use of his gifts and the type of person he wants to be.

Maria McCann plays Amanda, a character who provides an additional love interest and further complicates the social dynamics at work. Her character's interactions diversify the narrative, offering additional layers of teenage complexity as the story unfolds.

A fairly predictable trope of the high school movie genre plays out as Kevin and Wayne's high jinks attract the resentment of school bullies and heavy-handed school administration. With his powers, however, Kevin is more than equipped to deal with these perpetual teen film antagonists. Throughout the high-energy escapades, the film raises the question of what truly matters when navigating the treacherous waters of high school social life.

Further complicating Kevin's situation is the fact that his powers do not go unnoticed by some of the more sinister characters in the school ecosystem, leading to a series of confrontations and challenges that not only test his telekinetic abilities but also his personal integrity and loyalty to his friends. This aspect of the plot brings an element of tension to the otherwise lighthearted comedy.

While Zapped Again! may not break new ground in the genre, it is emblematic of the late '80s to early '90s teen flicks. It harkens back to an era when sci-fi elements were liberally mixed with teen comedy to create zany scenarios meant to entertain and amuse. Overall, the film exists to offer a nostalgic charm, from its fashion to its music and the seemingly simpler times it portrays.

Given that Zapped Again! was released at a time when sequels were aplenty and often lacked the depth or innovation of original films, it provides exactly what one might expect—a chance to revisit the whimsical and carefree world of high school life, peppered with fantastical elements that provide a backdrop for humor and light-hearted drama. In essence, Kevin's journey is about navigating adolescence, the consequences of one's actions, and ultimately deciding what kind of person he wants to grow up to be.