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Short Circuit

Short Circuit (1986)

May. 09,1986
|
6.6
|
PG
| Comedy Science Fiction Family

After a lightning bolt zaps a robot named Number 5, the lovable machine starts to think he's human and escapes the lab. Hot on his trail is his designer, Newton, who hopes to get to Number 5 before the military does. In the meantime, a spunky animal lover mistakes the robot for an alien and takes him in, teaching her new guest about life on Earth.

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Unlimitedia
1986/05/09

Sick Product of a Sick System

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Beanbioca
1986/05/10

As Good As It Gets

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Bob
1986/05/11

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

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Dana
1986/05/12

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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alfCycle
1986/05/13

This is a fun, typical 80's movie. The robot is cute and entertaining. I can't help but be reminded of E.T. This movie is silly and obviously not meant to be taken seriously. I definitely laughed out loud at parts. It's very predictable, but I still enjoyed it for what it is. The main negative was the offensive Indian stereotype character. I think they went a little too far with that portrayal, especially since it's played by a white guy. Jeez! Anyway, if you're a fan of fun, goofy 80's movies you'll probably enjoy this one.6/10************SPOILERS************Recommended for those that enjoy robo-whimsy, robo-ET, robo-stooges, robo-disco, robo-cooking, robo-impersonations, robo-joyrides, brown face, offensive stereotypes, unnecessary pigheaded male antagonists, evil corporations, uncompromising military officials, guttenbergs...

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view_and_review
1986/05/14

My earliest memory of an A.I. movie is "Terminator"--and "Short Circuit" is right after that. "Short Circuit" showed that adding emotion to the most robotic organism could make it lovable."Short Circuit" was a cute and funny movie appropriate for most audiences. The robot, Number 5 (voice by Tim Blaney), along with Ben (Fisher Stevens) were absolutely my two favorite characters. 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. She was so naive and vociferous in her naivety it was sickening. She was clearly the movie's means of showing off Number 5 and his new self awareness no matter how elementary it was done.Still, I appreciate the movie "Short Circuit". This was the predecessor to "Chappie" and many people may not know that. It's still funny and a good watch.

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OllieSuave-007
1986/05/15

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 movie takes a very long time to gain any steam, if any, and there is really no plot, just Number 5 befriending Stephanie while Nova is out to get him - no twists or turns and no unpredictable moments. I could live with movies with simple or no basic plot lines if there are any redeeming qualities like humor, comic relief, likable characters and action. This movie, to me, doesn't deliver on any of those. 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. Only Steve Guttenberg, Brian McNamara and Number 5, which I thought was pretty cool, had any likable qualities.Overall, though, this movie is dull and boring with pretty awful acting. Watch at your own risk.Grade F

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utgard14
1986/05/16

A robot made self-aware after being struck by lightning runs away from the military weapons testing facility where it is set to be disassembled. The robot, called Number 5, meets a woman (Ally Sheedy), who befriends it and tries to help it. 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. How cool was that robot? Old school effects are remarkable. People built these things by hand, you know? There's just something so much more effective and impressive about that than CGI effects. The cast is really good. Sheedy and Guttenberg are both likable leads. Fisher Steven is a lot of fun. Guttenberg's Police Academy co-star G.W. Bailey plays to type as he did so often in the '80s. Such a fun movie. I had a big goofy grin on my face the whole time I was watching this.I recently read a review of this movie that trashed it. The reviewer's main reasons for doing so were based on how unrealistic it was. He went on and on about how robots aren't capable of this and that. It made me very sad for him because I know he must not have any friends. If you are reading this and you view Short Circuit the same way that reviewer does, please do yourself a favor -- go out, meet some people, have some adventures, enjoy life. Then come back and watch Short Circuit and see if the stick up your ass is gone yet.

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