Teenage Thunder gets a feel of the self-centered, belligerent confusion of adolescence, where battle-lines are drawn against peers and almost every adult is a possible agent of parochial control...had the film based itself around Maurie seeing the error of his ways, a different and more pertinent movie might have resulted...as it is, Teenage Thunder possesses well-staged auto set pieces and some lovely vintage film of the San Fernando raceway, a few steadfast performances, and a heart in the right place; it just doesn't really know where that place is and, like Johnnie, ends up misunderstood.
