Short Circuit
Tags: entertaining

Plot synopsis:
Number 5 is part of a series of prototype U.S. military S.A.I.N.T. (Strategic Artificially Intelligent Nuclear Transport) robots built for the Cold War by NOVA Laboratories. The series' inventors, Newton Graham Crosby and Ben Jabituya, are more interested in peaceful applications including music and social aid. After a demonstration of the robots' capabilities, Number 5 is hit by a lightning-induced power surge, scrambling its programming and giving it a sense of free will. Several incidents allow the robot to escape the facility accidentally, barely able to communicate and uncertain of its directive. In Astoria, Oregon, Stephanie Speck (who cares for animals and mistakes Number 5 for an extraterrestrial visitor) grants Number 5 access to books, television, and other stimuli, to satisfy his hunger for 'input'; whereupon Number 5 develops a whimsical and curious childlike personality. When Stephanie realizes Number 5 is a military invention, she contacts NOVA who send out a team to recover him, bringing one of the other robots along to help. When Number 5 accidentally crushes a grasshopper and gains an understanding of mortality, he concludes that if NOVA disassembles him he too will cease to be alive. Horrified, Number 5 steals Stephanie's van and flees, but the pair are cornered by NOVA, including Newton and Ben. Although Stephanie attempts to reveal his newly discovered sentience, Number 5 is deactivated and captured. Being taken on the way to NOVA, he manages to turn himself back on and escapes despite a tracker that had been placed on him. Returning to Stephanie for protection, Number 5's unusual actions catch the attention of his creators, but NOVA's CEO Dr. Howard Marner turns a deaf ear to their wild hypothesis.
From this follow several adventurous escapes from the soldiers, led by NOVA's security chief Captain Skroeder (G. W. Bailey). Having humiliated Stephanie's ex-boyfriend Frank and three of the remaining prototypes (that have been reprogrammed to imitate The Three Stooges by Number 5), Stephanie and the robot convince Newton of the robot's sentience. Shortly after, the trio are cornered by Skroeder, who has secretly taken over NOVA's security, and the Army, both of whom chase after Number 5, whose only concern is Newton and Stephanie's safety. Number 5 flees across the fields until a US Army helicopter sweeps over a nearby rise and its missiles blow the helpless robot to pieces. Newton and Stephanie are devastated over the loss, Newton quits NOVA. Marner is also disappointed at the destruction of years of research, and seeing the security team celebrate, quickly dismisses Skroeder for insubordination. Stephanie leaves with Newton, who plans to head to his father's estate in Montana and start over. During their drive, Number 5 reveals himself to them, surprising his friends by revealing the warmongers actually blew up a duplicate he made out of spare parts. Elated in their reunion, Number 5 renames himself "Johnny 5" after a song "Who's Johnny" that he heard when he escaped from NOVA's van. He accompanies Stephanie and Newton to their new home.

Review: This film is wonderfully life-affirming through the character of robot Jonny 5 (the scene where he realises what it means to be alive through crushing a grass hopper is beautifully portrayed), Ally Sheedy brings a bucket load of positive energy to the character of the naive but loving Stephanie, and to top it all there is a subtle but powerful comment on American militarism.
I know how this sounds, so bear with me a moment.Short Circuit is, at heart, a comedy about what happens when a robot designed to replace a special forces soldier is struck by lightning, and starts to believe he is a living entity.
Maturer audiences will have a hard time overlooking some of the childish nuances of the movie, but it is such a fun and entertaining family film that all of those things can be easily forgiven.
I feel like I've lost something when I can't think of a single movie now that I love so much that I will watch it a few times a week.
This is a pretty tired formula, something man-made suddenly displaying life-like qualities and wanting to be recognized as a real boy, but it's accompanied by some clever messages about the advancement of technology, particularly technology designed to replace humans, which has always been seen as a bit of a dangerous idea, criticized brilliantly by everyone from Charlie Chaplin to James Cameron.
Sadly, CGI has forever replaced the need to create a physical robot like the one that plays Johnny 5 in this movie, so any Short Circuit that was made today would just be some soul-less digital effect cavorting across the screen, instantly forgettable.
They are both cookie-cutter caricatures, Sheedy the lonely Stephanie, who drives an ice-cream truck for a living, and Guttenberg plays a scientist named Newton, who works for the evil NOVA but who only needs a cute ice-cream lady and a charming robot to change his evil ways.
The sequel is not quite as up there, but I also keep it mixed in with my favorite DVDs. For any science fiction fan, it can be seen as a classic and prelude to movies such as "I, Robot".10 out of 10 is my rating because this movie has played a great part in my movie-watching life.
Number Five's designer, Newton Crosby (Guttenberg) and his silly assistant Ben Jabituya (Stevens), have yet to appreciate what Number Five has achieved, as a shell of wires and controls able to take on human qualities, but, soon, they too will join Speck in the quest to save 'Number Five.' Some of it is kind of reminscint of other 80s sci-fi movies like 'Batteries Not Included' and 'E.T.' There's two issues at work in this movie.
I think that's because 'Number Five' is such a funny, loveable robot.If you like the theme of this movie, I recommend seeing the hilarious comedy, 'Making Mr. Right,' which is about a robot designed for space exploration rather than military use.
I saw this movie at the pictures This Movie was a Classic back in 1986 I still remember this movie well "NUMBER 5 IS ALIVE" I would have been 7 years old when I watch this movie the reason I am guess it has such a low rating.
is cause there have been so many movies in this Genre, Over lets say the last 8 years, Including Short circuit ripoff Wall-E http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/ Anyway it doesn't have the awesome graphics Wall-E has cause 3d computer graphics didn't really exist in 1986 Wall-E might even have a slightly better story line But you must remember Short Circuit was the original and did not have 100s of robot friend movies to copy of like wall-e at the time it was made to copy ideas off and revise from, Wall-e received 9 out of 10 Short circuit received 6 out of 10 I feel Short Circuit have been very hard done by for being a old movie.
It could be a number of things: A cute robot, a good cast, great comedy, and John Badham, the director that can take a low budget film and make it into a classic (such as his previous work, Saturday Night Fever, which was alot more vulgar) Or Maybe it's just fun to watch all of the neat little gadgets Number 5 has, showing that some of the least expensive things can be made to look high-tech..
I still see, and still laugh at the ex boyfriend getting his boot heels shot off...his belt and brim of his hat...the look on his face as he saw his precious car taken apart...not Number 5's fault he had left the Chilton manual in the car...:) :) :) This movie is truly an original tale, very well told, and will stand out as an excellent piece for a long time to come..
As the military hunt for the escaped robot, two scientists (Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens) try to find it first.A heartfelt sci-fi comedy that's funny, positive, and extremely entertaining.
I know, I know, it's not like it's a brilliant work of cinematic history or anything, and Steve Guttenberg is hardly the greatest actor of his generation, but if you are looking for just a fun movie with some cheap laughs that won't make you think too much, this is a great pick.
Especially if it's for the whole family, because Short Circuit is definitely family friendly (for the most part).One thing we didn't appreciate was that Fisher Stevens was playing a silly comic-relief character, a nerdy scientist from India who talks with a stereotypical old Indian accent and just doesn't understand things and is super socially awkward.
Short Circuit is a good movie with a good storyline and a decent but not fantastic cast.I watched the movie because my mom always talked about it as a fond movie she remembers as a child,but it definitely wouldn't hold up today,the effects and especially the acting is very cheesy,but its almost impossible not to fall in love with Number 5,he's a very funny and lovable character.I wasn't impressed with the cast,however,I did enjoy G.W. Bailey's performance,I really enjoyed his asshole that he proved from Police Academy that he can pull it off very well.Short Circuit is a very fun movie that the whole family can enjoy.After the fifth member of a group of robots is electrocuted,he forms human feelings and emotions,and escapes his organisation with no intention of returning..
Looking like a cross between a mechanical ET and a prototype WallE, Johnny 5, the robotic hero of John Badham's Short Circuit, is a top-secret, multi million dollar piece of army hardware that comes 'alive' when he is accidentally zapped by a bolt of lightning.
After escaping the high-tech facility where he was designed and built (by Steve Guttenberg, of all people!!!), Number 5 meets animal-lover Stephanie (Ally Sheedy), absorbs huge amounts of information from her books and television, and learns that life is preciousespecially his own.Oozing 80s style from every frame, Short Circuit might be an extremely dated movie (check out the computers that feature in the filma Mac classic is seen being unpacked!) but it still manages to be a whole load of fun thanks to its likable characters and a pretty funny script.
I just finished watching the DVD with my kids (aged 7 and 5), and we all had a great time: I particularly enjoyed the sense of nostalgia I got from watching a 'pre-internet, pre-mobile phone era' piece of cheesy sci-fi from my youth, whilst the children just lapped up the silly antics of Johnny 5.Badham might not be the most stylish of directors, but he can always be relied upon to deliver a solidly entertaining film, and although this one isn't packed with state of the art special effects (even for the time), sometimes the action is rather weak (the 'high speed' chase scenes look rather slow to me), and Fisher Stevens' portrayal of an Asian is rather dubious, it's still worth a try.
Fisher Stevens is the actor whom I remember as defining all that was fun in the film.4 nights ago, I watched my children in amazement, as they voiced appreciation of and approval for virtually all that I found worthy in the movie.
'Short Circuit' is a 1980s film about a witty and loud-mouthed robot (Number Five/Johnny Five) who begins a quest on his own after he has been brought to life after being electrocuted.
"Short Circuit" is indeed worth watching repeatedly.Number Five, one of the robots originally designed as war weapons by Nova Laboratories, accidentally gets struck by lightning and starts to have a mind of its own.
But he and Stephanie have to convince Newton Crosby (the robot's co-creator, played by Steve Guttenberg) that Five is ALIVE and has emotions, just like humans.
As the ending approaches the plot gets really dramatic and you feel so happy after you watch the whole movie.Number Five is enormously sweet and adorable on one particularly memorable scene which he dances with Stephanie and sings along to "More than a Woman".
"Short Circuit" certainly captured my heart and it should be recommended to everyone looking for an enjoyable movie filled with many opportunities for a good laugh.
I've always been a sucker for that old computerized robot voice you hear in this movie, and I'm kinda surprised it didn't leave me with a zen for vodka tonics as well.But it's also got plenty in the amusing department: Ally Sheedy's comical overacting, a guy in brownface, happy-go-lucky Steve Guttenberg, and most importantly, the cool robot with the funny voice and distinctive look.And a laser.A lot of fun, this movie.8/10.
It never gives off the sense that it's trying to be something it's not, staying fresh, funny and even laughing at itself.Maybe the best way to put the filmmaker's attitudes into perspective while making "Short Circuit" would be to mention that director John Badham not only made a much more serious Cold War adventure film in "War Games" a few years before, but the robot (No. 5 as he's called) at one point imitates John Travolta's dance moves in "Saturday Night Fever," another Badham film.
Badham even takes to making fun of his other work using "Short Circuit."Although Badham gets the credit for making No. 5 such a lovable character (with some help from fine voice acting in Tim Blaney), the writing team of Wilson and Maddock deserve a lot of credit for the film's clever and amusing take on artificial life as well as the numerous jabs at Cold War America."Short Circuit" is about a top secret set of military robots designed by Newton (Steve Guttenberg of "Police Academy") for the military supplier he works for called NOVA.
When a lightning strike fries one of the robots, he ignores his programming and escapes the facility where he meets an animal-lover named Stephanie (Ally Sheedy of Badham's "War Games") who takes him in believing he's an alien.
Cue a lot of cute situations where the robot - Number Five - can sing, speak, dance, and fall in love.Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy, both key 1980s movie faces, are well served by great parts in this, and although 'Short Circuit' occasionally feels contrived and a bit certain about the black and whiteness of good and bad, it is still a good film and a lot of fun.A sequel which appeared after a decent interval appeared to have forgotten the first film's ending and was nowhere near as good, but this original item in the series stands up well, despite clunky special effects which pale alongside CGI..
Short Circuit is like the movie "ET" with a robot substituted for the extra-terrestrial and a young woman in place of the child.
Short Circuit is one of those films I rented as a kid back in the precious 80s when we got so many good family movies that just wouldn't see the light of day in these awful times.
Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy star in this often forgotten but somewhat iconic comedy-adventure with a robot in 'Short Circuit'.
Badham even recreates a scene from 'Saturday Night Fever' for laughs, and endears the audience to this robotic hero.I remember enjoying this film as a kid, and still enjoyed watching it again.
In Short Circuit the inspiration is to marry the heartwarming story of ET with robot technology and the story of Robot Number 5, an advanced robot developed for military purposes but gains some kind of artificial intelligence after being struck by lightning and being fried.Number 5 goes on the run from the defence company who want to disassemble him and he ends up befriending naive animal lover Ally Sheedy who protects him but initially thinks he is an alien from outer space.Steve Guttenberg is the creator of the robot program, unhappy about the proposed military uses of his creations.
Number 5 because he was an adorable robot bumbling through his newly discovered "life" and Ben because his jumbled words and teen-like lust for women was hilarious.As much as I like those two characters I found Stephanie (Ally Sheedy) annoying.
btw...Wall-e Reminded me of Johnny -5!(resemblance is uncanny) There was another movie which I liked a Lot at that time , I think it was "short circuit" ..
He finds a lady and they become friends and he becomes more and more human.This movie is just great I would still highly recommend this to kids now a days just because they are sure to fall in love with the robot just as I did as a kid..
I love this movie its was funny charming and really good the story is about number 5 who gets hit and starts to have a mind of his own and ends up at a farm and becomes friends with a human who also think he is a live this film is a like The love bug where it took time for Jim to realize that Herbie was a live I saw this after watching the 2nd movie that is a sequel to it but this movie is better the 2nd I find it more fun and funny the 2nd one was okay but compared to this one it look a bit corny this is very sad and you will love it and its underrated maybe give it a better rating because its a very good movie this would be great if they made a 3rd movie to this and the 2nd The movie is pretty good for the family and you will love it watch it again and again mostly if you have not seen this movie then get out on DVD because it was a huge hit and I love this movie this has became one of my favorites movies its on my favorite movie list that get a 5 stars in my book I give this movie a 10 out of 10..
And believes it's alive like a human.But with the army in search for #5, it needs to find a way to avoid being disassembled.Short Circuit is a cool 80s movie.
Another movie from my kid past, a story about a military robot named Number 5 developing self-awareness and consciousness after being struck by lightening.
With the company who built him, Nova, out to get him because they think he has malfunctioned, technician Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg) and animal lover Stephanie Speck (Ally Sheedy) are on a mission to save Number 5 from being reprogrammed.After watching this movie in its entirety as an adult, I, unfortunately, was not impressed with the film.
The so-called comedy is unfunny, the action is dull and the characters were extremely annoying.Ally Sheedy's Stephanie Speck character was loud, obnoxious, overbearing and developed no chemistry with lead Steve Guttenberg; Fisher Stevens' Ben Jabituya character was very lame with his dumb, stereotypical Indian accent and unfunny jokes; Austin Pendleton's Howard Marner character was overly-excited; and G.W. Bailey's Skroeder character was over-asserted as the supposed villain.
Number 5, the star robot of the movie gets hit by lightning and some thing happened to his circuits.
"Short Circuit" is a watchable film about a military robot who gets zapped by lightning one day and develops a mind of his own ala "Frankenstein".
There's only one reason a person would like this film: If anyone would love to see Steve Guttenberg be upstaged by robot, this is the movie for you..
As cute as Number 5, Steve Guttenberg, and Ally Sheedy were in this movie, the greatest character was Ben!
I Love this Movie because Johnny Five is a Great "Robot".
John Badham, who entertained us so well with "War Games", yet disappointed us with movies such as "Bird on a Wire" and "Blue Thunder", brings to the screen this time a film which plays like a collage of many previous and better shows, "E.T." being the most obvious.The plot follows the adventures of No.5, a hi-tech defence robot that has 'short circuited' after being struck by lightening, and is on the run from his creators who wish to 'disassemble' him.
Having no wish to be destroyed, our little hero befriends an animal lover (Ally Sheedy) who offers him protection.While it presents no originality, and the special effects and gadgetry have been outdone both before and after its release, "Short Circuit" is a good humoured film which provides reasonable entertainment thanks to some enjoyably funny antics from No.5.
Meanwhile, his creator Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg) along with fellow robot expert Ben Jabituya (Fisher Stevens) are looking for Number 5, aka Johnny 5, to see what has happened to him, and they are against the military forces who think it's best to destroy him.
Experimental military robot Number 5 believes that he's really alive after he gets struck by a bolt of lightning.
May 9, 2016Number 5 is a cute robot and brought to amazing life through special effects, however, I'm a little confused as to how this is a kids film?