Zapped!

Barney Springboro is a high school student absorbed in science experiments, working alongside his friend Peyton on a project involving white mice. When the mice begin drawing food toward themselves without touching it, Barney realizes the work has given him telekinetic abilities, and his new power quickly reshapes his daily life at school and at home. The film follows the trouble a teenager can get into once he can move objects with his mind.

Robert J. Rosenthal directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Bruce Rubin, with Jeff Apple producing. It was Rosenthal's second feature as director, following his 1980 debut. Scott Baio leads as Barney, with Willie Aames as Peyton, Robert Mandan as Walter Johnson, Felice Schachter as Bernadette, Scatman Crothers as Dexter Jones and Roger Bowen as Mr. Springboro. The credited cast runs to 51 performers.

Released in July 1982, the comedy took in about 17 million dollars worldwide against modest means, a return that made it a profitable theatrical performer. Audiences have been lukewarm since: on IMDb it holds 5 out of 10 from roughly 8,600 votes, and on TMDB 5.2 out of 10 from 162 votes. A critics' rating of 3 out of 10 from 15 reviews sits well below the audience scores, indicating reviewers were harsher on the film than general viewers were.