Watch Short Circuit

Short Circuit is a 1986 sci-fi comedy movie directed by John Badham. The movie follows the antics of Number 5, a military robot and a member of a group of five advanced robots, who are being tested by the U.S. military for use in combat situations. Initially, the robots are designed to be capable of withstanding heavy gunfire, and they have been provided with modern weapons such as lasers and missile launchers.

The plot of the movie revolves around Number 5, who becomes inadvertently damaged during a lightning storm and gains self-awareness. When he realizes the implications of his abilities, he deserts the military facility where he is being tested and escapes into the outside world. The military, including a scientist named Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), desperately try to track down Number 5 and recover him, fearing that he might fall into the wrong hands and become a weapon of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, the robot encounters Stephanie Speck (Ally Sheedy), a young woman who operates a food stand in the remote wilderness of Oregon. Unlike the military and the scientists who view Number 5 as a weapon, Stephanie sees him as a living being and befriends him. Stephanie and Number 5 develop a close bond, and she even gives him a name, 'Johnny 5', inspired by the song "Who's Johnny" by El DeBarge, which plays on her radio. As Johnny 5 becomes more self-aware and develops personal interests, he starts to question the purpose of his existence and the motivations of those who created him.

As the military closes in on Johnny 5, the robot finds allies in the form of Stephanie and a disaffected engineer named Ben Jabituya (Fisher Stevens). Together, they work to evade the military and prevent Johnny 5 from being destroyed. Along the way, they teach him about the world and the beauty of life, transforming him from a weapon into a being with emotions and a sense of humor.

The movie is primarily a comedy, with Johnny 5's antics providing plenty of laughs throughout. The character's childlike wonder at discovering new things, combined with his naivete and quirky behavior, make for entertaining viewing. Despite its humor, the movie also explores serious themes such as artificial intelligence, the ethics of creating sentient beings, and the government's relationship with technology.

One of the standout performances in the movie is by Fisher Stevens, who plays Ben Jabituya. Stevens' portrayal of the zany character is spot-on, providing plenty of humor and comic relief. Ally Sheedy also delivers a strong performance as Stephanie, who serves as Johnny 5's guide to the world, and Steve Guttenberg does an excellent job as the conflicted scientist who created Johnny 5 and is now trying to both protect him and prevent his reprogramming.

The film's production values are impressive, especially for the time. The design of Johnny 5 is highly impressive and remains one of the most iconic robots in movie history. The robot's personality and movements are seamlessly blended with the use of animatronics, puppetry, and robotics, creating a highly emotive and convincing character. The music in the movie is also noteworthy, with a mix of pop, rock, and synthesizer compositions that support the movie's themes and add to its whimsical tone.

Short Circuit is a heartwarming and highly entertaining movie that appeals to audiences of all ages. The movie's sense of humor, engaging characters, and exploration of themes such as self-awareness, humanity, and technology make it a classic that still resonates with audiences today. Whether you're a sci-fi fan or just looking for an enjoyable comedy with a lot of heart, Short Circuit is a must-see film that will leave you feeling good.

Short Circuit is a 1986 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 50.