Short Circuit

Short Circuit (1986)

Runtime: 98 minutes

Directed by: John Badham

Starring: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, G.W. Bailey, Austin Pendleton

From: Tri-Star

This is yet another movie hard to find via legal streaming. Last night this and its sequel (reviewed by me in 2018 and that is much easier to stream) played on HDNet Movies so I took that opportunity. Those that do want to stream-at least in the United States must use Fandango at Home, i.e. the former Vudu. Thus, it was easier to use watch it on cable. Note that this movie’s sequel was watched more by me (and my sisters) as a kid than this. It may have been at least 30 years since this was viewed, no kidding.

It's a Frankenstein’s monster scenario-an allusion stated as text in the sequel-only accidental as a robotics firm builds robots as prototypes that the United States military may have a use for; what luck then that a lightning strike hits the fifth robot, causing him to become sentient. Johnny 5-as he calls himself because, get this, of an El Debarge song created for the soundtrack-escapes and circumstance put him at the house of animal lover Ally Sheedy.

Thankfully Sheedy was as likable as usual (even though for some reason she first thought the robot was an alien!) as all the computer nerds at the robotics firm-boss included-are weird shut-ins who haven’t driven cars in years (?! The building is in the state of Washington; they’re not in New York City) and behavior about/towards women is that they think they are an alien species! That behavior is just weird/creepy; the duo of Steve Guttenberg and Fisher Stevens did not exactly charm me, nevermind the latter’s portrayal of a stereotypical man from India when the actor is white IRL… yes that still has aged poorly.

Those points noted, this movie is fine. Johnny 5 is still an appealing sentient robot and at least Stevens constant malaprops due to his confusion over the English language are typically amusing. G.W. Bailey of course was successful as the head of security, as was the appropriate electric score from David Shire. Both this and the second installment are silly family movies; be that as it may, they did entertain me both as a kid & an adult. This is one of many reasons why I hope the long-standing rumors of a remake never comes to fruition. The practical effects still work; Johnny 5 as a CGI creation just won’t be the same.