Zapped Again!
Zapped Again! is a 1990 American direct-to-video science fiction comedy film directed by Doug Campbell, serving as a loose sequel to the 1982 teen comedy Zapped.[1] The movie follows Kevin Matthews (Todd Eric Andrews), a new transfer student at Emerson High School who joins the underfunded Science Club and accidentally rediscovers a mysterious elixir that grants telekinetic powers, allowing him to manipulate objects—and notably, girls' clothing—from a distance.[1] This discovery pits him against the school's affluent jocks and popular crowd, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and rivalries within the teen environment.[2] Featuring a runtime of 96 minutes, the film blends elements of high school satire with supernatural antics, emphasizing the Science Club's underdog status against the elite social hierarchy.[1] Andrews stars alongside Kelli Williams as his love interest, with supporting roles filled by Lyle Alzado as a brutish coach, Sue Ann Langdon, and guest appearances from horror icons Linda Blair and Karen Black, adding a layer of campy appeal.[1] Produced on a modest budget and released directly to VHS, Zapped Again! captures the era's teen exploitation comedy style, focusing on telekinesis-fueled pranks amid adolescent drama.[1] Despite mixed reception, including a 4.3/10 rating on IMDb from over 1,300 users, it remains a nostalgic entry in 1990s direct-to-video fare.[1]Production
Development
Zapped Again! serves as a direct sequel to the 1982 film Zapped!, continuing the premise of a high school student acquiring telekinetic powers through a scientific formula originally developed by the character Barney Springboro.[3] The story was conceived by Jack Morris, with the screenplay written by Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio, building on characters created by Bruce Rubin and Robert J. Rosenthal from the original film.[4] This approach maintained the core concept of psychokinetic abilities derived from a rediscovered potion, while shifting focus to a new protagonist in a similar teen environment.[5] The project was produced by ITC Entertainment and Part II Productions, with Robert J. Rosenthal and Jeff Apple serving as producers.[6] Rosenthal, who co-created the original film's characters, played a key role in linking the sequel to its predecessor.[4] Doug Campbell was selected to direct, marking an early feature in his career following his debut with the 1988 thriller Season of Fear.[7] His direction emphasized the film's comedic elements centered on adolescent antics and supernatural mishaps. Developed in the late 1980s as a low-budget endeavor, Zapped Again! was designed specifically for the burgeoning direct-to-video market, targeting the same young audience as the original but adapted to the era's home entertainment trends.[3] Released eight years after Zapped!, the film prioritized accessible teen comedy over theatrical spectacle, reflecting the economic constraints and distribution strategies of independent video productions at the time.[5]Filming
Principal photography for Zapped Again! occurred in Los Angeles, California, USA, utilizing high school sets to evoke a typical American teen environment, including exterior shots at El Rancho High School and interiors at Miller Elementary School in Pico Rivera. The low-budget, direct-to-video production adopted a streamlined approach to achieve a 96-minute final runtime, focusing on efficient filming of comedy-driven sequences like pranks and party scenes amid resource constraints that necessitated quick shoots.[3] Technical execution relied on practical effects for telekinetic moments, such as wires and basic editing tricks to depict object levitation, resulting in effects described as rudimentary compared to contemporaries.[8] Filming incorporated R-rated elements, including nudity and profane language, to secure the film's MPAA R rating.[9]Story and cast
Plot
Kevin Matthews arrives at Ralph Waldo Emerson High School as a new student, where he immediately faces rejection and bullying from the school's popular and affluent cliques. Struggling to fit in, he is turned away from the exclusive Key Club and instead finds solace in the underappreciated Science Club, a group of misfit students passionate about experiments.[1][10] While exploring the Science Club's storage, Kevin and his clubmates discover two forgotten vials containing a mysterious green potion, remnants from an earlier experiment originally invented by student Barney Springboro at the same school a decade prior. During a chaotic confrontation involving bullies who infiltrate the club, Kevin is forced to consume the potion accidentally, triggering a transformation that endows him with psychokinetic abilities, allowing him to move objects and influence actions with his mind.[1][11] Emboldened by his newfound powers, Kevin begins using them for lighthearted yet mischievous pranks around school. He lifts girls' skirts in the hallways, causing comedic embarrassment, and humiliates the school's jocks by making them trip, drop their belongings, or perform unintended actions during classes and events. These antics quickly boost Kevin's social status, turning him from an outcast into a school celebrity as word of the inexplicable occurrences spreads, drawing admiration from peers who had previously ignored him.[1][10] The pranks, however, provoke retaliation from the antagonists: the elite members of the Key Club, who feel humiliated and dethroned by Kevin's rise. Led by the school's top athletes and socialites, they plot revenge, escalating the conflict by targeting Kevin and the Science Club with intensified bullying and sabotage attempts to expose or neutralize his secret advantage.[1][12] The tension builds to a climactic confrontation at a major school event, where Kevin must confront the Key Club in a high-stakes showdown, grappling with the limitations and unintended consequences of his powers. In the resolution, Kevin leverages his abilities one final time to outmaneuver the bullies, restoring balance to the school hierarchy and solidifying the Science Club's reputation, though not without humorous mishaps that highlight the potion's unpredictable nature.[1][10] The film explores themes of teen empowerment through science fiction elements, emphasizing how ordinary adolescents can challenge social inequities using ingenuity and unexpected abilities, all wrapped in a comedic lens on youthful pranks and rebellion against authority.[1][12]Cast
The principal cast of Zapped Again! (1990) consists primarily of up-and-coming actors in the lead and supporting roles, portraying high school students navigating supernatural mishaps at a co-educational high school. Todd Eric Andrews stars as Kevin Matthews, the awkward new student who inadvertently gains telekinetic powers after discovering a mysterious formula left by his predecessor. Kelli Williams plays Lucy Kaminsky, Kevin's resourceful love interest and fellow member of the school's Science Club, providing support amid the chaos. Reed Rudy portrays Wayne, the smug leader of the rival Key Club, serving as the primary antagonist who schemes against the underdogs.[1][13] Supporting characters include Maria Maestas McCann as Amanda, a supporting female character involved in the teen dynamics; David Donah as Cecil, a quirky Science Club member aiding Kevin's experiments; Ira Heiden as Elliott, another club ally with inventive tendencies; and M.K. Harris as Mike, a peer caught in the group's antics. The ensemble is rounded out by Ross Harris as Chris and Linda Larkin as Joanne, both contributing to the teen dynamics without central focus.[4]| Actor | Role | Character Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Todd Eric Andrews | Kevin Matthews | Protagonist; awkward newcomer empowered by science. |
| Kelli Williams | Lucy Kaminsky | Love interest; Science Club enthusiast offering support. |
| Reed Rudy | Wayne | Antagonist; elite Key Club head plotting against rivals. |
| Maria Maestas McCann | Amanda | Supporting character; involved in social interactions. |
| David Donah | Cecil | Sidekick; eccentric inventor in the Science Club. |
| Ira Heiden | Elliott | Ally; tech-savvy club member enabling key developments. |
| M.K. Harris | Mike | Peer; involved in group escapades and conflicts. |
| Ross Harris | Chris | Friend; adds to the ensemble's youthful energy. |
| Linda Larkin | Joanne | Acquaintance; peripheral role in teen interactions. |