Short Circuit
starring: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey
directed by: John Badham
directed by: John Badham
List Price: $9.99
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Product Description:
When a laser-armed Department of Defense robot named Number 5 gets zapped by a lightning bolt, he "malfunctions" and starts spouting peace slogans and developing a human-like consciousness. Naturally, the newly pacifist machine wants out of the military and escapes. As a frantic search for the creature begins, Number 5 settles down in his new home, with a gentle young woman named Stephanie (Ally Sheedy), who has every intention of holding on to her find, teaching Number 5 about popular culture and other mysteries of life. Thoroughly convinced that the robot is alive, she develops a strong bond with the creature. In order to prevent his capture by the military--who view Number 5 as an armed-and-dangerous weapon--the pair must convince his inventor, a reclusive scientist named Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), that he is truly alive and more than just a metal machine. The highly innovative robot created for director John Badham's film brings to mind other lovable science fiction icons such as E.T. and R2D2 from STAR WARS.
Amazon.com:
John Badham's family-oriented adventure comedy, though obviously hatchedin the wake of E.T. and Star Wars, manages to create its own identity through a sweet tone and an affectionate sense of fun. Military robot Number 5, a well-armed killing machine, is zapped by lightning during a test and emerges with a consciousness, curiosity, a wacky sense of humor, and a new peace-loving philosophy. Ally Sheedy (who debuted in Badham's hit WarGames) is the animal lover whose home is sanctuary for a zoo-full of strays and who adopts the adolescent robot. Steve Guttenberg is the goofy but reclusive robotics designer who goes off in search of his creation to save him from the gun-happy army. The mix of gentle slapstick and innocent romance makes for a harmless family comedy. It veers toward the terminally cute, what with 5's hyperactive antics and E.T.-ish voice, and the mangled grammar of Guttenberg's East Indian sidekick (Fisher Stevens) threatens to become offensive, but Badham's breezy direction keeps the film on track. Sheedy and Guttenberg deliver spirited and engaging performances, but most importantly the robot emerges as a real person. Give credit to designer Syd Mead, an army of puppeteers and robotics operators, and the cartoony voice of Tim Blaney: Number 5 is alive. --Sean Axmaker
When a laser-armed Department of Defense robot named Number 5 gets zapped by a lightning bolt, he "malfunctions" and starts spouting peace slogans and developing a human-like consciousness. Naturally, the newly pacifist machine wants out of the military and escapes. As a frantic search for the creature begins, Number 5 settles down in his new home, with a gentle young woman named Stephanie (Ally Sheedy), who has every intention of holding on to her find, teaching Number 5 about popular culture and other mysteries of life. Thoroughly convinced that the robot is alive, she develops a strong bond with the creature. In order to prevent his capture by the military--who view Number 5 as an armed-and-dangerous weapon--the pair must convince his inventor, a reclusive scientist named Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), that he is truly alive and more than just a metal machine. The highly innovative robot created for director John Badham's film brings to mind other lovable science fiction icons such as E.T. and R2D2 from STAR WARS.
Amazon.com:
John Badham's family-oriented adventure comedy, though obviously hatchedin the wake of E.T. and Star Wars, manages to create its own identity through a sweet tone and an affectionate sense of fun. Military robot Number 5, a well-armed killing machine, is zapped by lightning during a test and emerges with a consciousness, curiosity, a wacky sense of humor, and a new peace-loving philosophy. Ally Sheedy (who debuted in Badham's hit WarGames) is the animal lover whose home is sanctuary for a zoo-full of strays and who adopts the adolescent robot. Steve Guttenberg is the goofy but reclusive robotics designer who goes off in search of his creation to save him from the gun-happy army. The mix of gentle slapstick and innocent romance makes for a harmless family comedy. It veers toward the terminally cute, what with 5's hyperactive antics and E.T.-ish voice, and the mangled grammar of Guttenberg's East Indian sidekick (Fisher Stevens) threatens to become offensive, but Badham's breezy direction keeps the film on track. Sheedy and Guttenberg deliver spirited and engaging performances, but most importantly the robot emerges as a real person. Give credit to designer Syd Mead, an army of puppeteers and robotics operators, and the cartoony voice of Tim Blaney: Number 5 is alive. --Sean Axmaker
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Great, fun movie, but the language is terrible
I had such fond memories of this movie from when I was a kid, that I bought it.I started watching it with my children and was very disappointed.The storyline and humor are perfect for children and youth, but they put in language that is almost as bad as you can get.They did not define a target market and stick with it. Without the language it would be a great film for families.With the language it makes it adult oriented, however I believe most adults will find it only slightly amusing.
Read More
Rating: - Excellent Blu-Ray Conversion, but...
...I was a little disappointed that they chose to use the 1080i resolution instead of going to full 1080p, which Blu-Ray is more than capable of handling.
Rating: 
- Letterboxed 2004 edition
4 stars movie. 2 stars letter boxed. I bought this to replace my earlier edition to have it play 16:9 on load but it is still letterboxed. Image doesn't want to spend the money to give us an enhanced remastered DVD but they will change the cover to trick us. True, not a masterpiece but fun to watch. 5.1 sound and letterboxed, Incongruous.
Rating: 
- Oldie but Goody
I liked this movie years ago when it first came out. Now watching it in the Blue-ray is wild. Its truly amazon how the affect of the back ground just pops out of the screen. I'm happy I chose this movie, I recommend it.
Rating: - short circuit
certaining different from the second one, as i own and seen the second first before buying this one.
it very good and i rather enjoy it, there are some great scene, and worth buying if you own the second one, as they are both completey different and worth comparing.
- Great, fun movie, but the language is terribleI had such fond memories of this movie from when I was a kid, that I bought it.I started watching it with my children and was very disappointed.The storyline and humor are perfect for children and youth, but they put in language that is almost as bad as you can get.They did not define a target market and stick with it. Without the language it would be a great film for families.With the language it makes it adult oriented, however I believe most adults will find it only slightly amusing.
Read More
- Excellent Blu-Ray Conversion, but......I was a little disappointed that they chose to use the 1080i resolution instead of going to full 1080p, which Blu-Ray is more than capable of handling.
- Letterboxed 2004 edition4 stars movie. 2 stars letter boxed. I bought this to replace my earlier edition to have it play 16:9 on load but it is still letterboxed. Image doesn't want to spend the money to give us an enhanced remastered DVD but they will change the cover to trick us. True, not a masterpiece but fun to watch. 5.1 sound and letterboxed, Incongruous.
- Oldie but GoodyI liked this movie years ago when it first came out. Now watching it in the Blue-ray is wild. Its truly amazon how the affect of the back ground just pops out of the screen. I'm happy I chose this movie, I recommend it.
- short circuitcertaining different from the second one, as i own and seen the second first before buying this one.
it very good and i rather enjoy it, there are some great scene, and worth buying if you own the second one, as they are both completey different and worth comparing.
