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Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens

Number 5, one of a group of experimental military robots, undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning. He develops self-awareness, consciousness, and a fear of the reprogramming ...( read more  read more... )that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive.

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66% liked it

149,564 ratings

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50% liked it

20 critics

PG, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: John Badham

Release Date: May 9, 1986

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

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Stats: 5,499 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,499)

  • phubbs1
    November 3, 2009
    phubbs1
    Now this was unique in the day, the robot used here was actually really decent and it was real!! no crappy effects it was a full blown full size prop and that made the film a classic and cult. Everyone knew of Johnny 5 haha he was huge at the time and so was this film.

    It is a t...( read more)ypical kiddie flick with baddies in black, beautiful ladies that need saving, cheesey comedy lines and tags, dumb pratfalls, robots getting hammered to pieces making the kids cry, robots coming back and beating baddies up LOL and on top of all that you have the king of the 80's Steve Guttenberg ^_^

    Its now VERY dated and poor to be honest but there is still that 80's charm that always wins the day.
  • SirPant
    September 21, 2009
    SirPant
    Welcome to the glorious 80?s when every film had Steve Guttenberg and a talking robot in it!
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    September 8, 2008
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: John Badham.
    Starring: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Tim Blaney.

    << "Not a malfunction Stephanie, Number 5...is alive!" >>

    The story follows a company called Nova who manufacture a group of sophisticated robots as...( read more) weapons for future warfare, not the original intention of the actual creator. When a bolt of lightning strikes with the 5th model still attached to the generator, it begins to have a mind of its own and escapes into the real world.

    Its been too long...I remember growing up with this film and now, being 20, I think I was around 10 or so the last time I saw it. I think many need to re-watch this classic, because it still has all the magic intact.

    The film hasn't aged a day and the fact that the film is supposedly being remade is a disgrace. Whats amazing for it being made in 1986 is the superb physical robot effects without the use of CGI. There's a shot in the beginning which acts as a aerial type wide shot to show the garbage truck with Number 5 on it leaving Nova, you can clearly see him moving and ducking to avoid being seen. There's so much incredible attention to detail on this characters physical structure, it's damn near flawless, an amazing achievement that has been looked past.

    The character setup is quite amazing. Sure, some of the sub-characters are reduced to generic cut-outs, but the ones who matter are focused on...Stephanie, the 'slightly dumber than normal' woman with a big heart who accepts Number 5 as a real person. Her sweet, slightly eccentric personality and Ally Sheedy's caring performance make it all the worth while. And then of course, there's Number 5. Nowadays its Pixar who are paving the way for animals and robots to be seen as human, but many forget that Short Circuit is where it all started. The first brilliant choice made was to have him voiced by a person and not computer generated and Tim Blaney's balance between the two shows the characters changes throughout the film well. Number 5 is instantly likable, with his adolescent curiosity and funny views on those things around him, you fall in love from the first moment and he easily adapts to anyone willing to take him in, no matter what age...and I got to credit Fisher Stevens for his extremely hilarious performance as an Indian, I was surprised to also see how inoffensive he made it as well.

    I think that's the thing this film will never lose, its power. Sure, some may forget about it over the years thanks to countless new ways of trying to generate animation for the new generations, but once you see the film again, you'll remember why it was such a big part of anyone's childhood and how it still remains magical. Its definitely a movie I'd keep and show to my kids someday.
  • lyndsiekivell
    May 16, 2008
    lyndsiekivell
    E.T. as a robot. Who doesn't love robots with hearts of gold & oil.
  • powerofmylove
    May 2, 2008
    powerofmylove
    fabulous movie so cute and also funny.
  • ilovetheeightiesforever
    November 14, 2009
    ilovetheeightiesforever
    i love Ally Sheedy alot, THE BREAKFAST CLUB is my fav movie with her in it. Short Circuit isn't a good movie at all.
  • spacecasefukface
    November 12, 2009
    spacecasefukface
    childhood favourite
    "johnny 5 is alive "
    you will never get that damm debarge song outta your head
  • doctordoom
    November 10, 2009
    doctordoom
    A classic movie from the 80's. This is a decent movie about a experimental military robot that gains self awareness and develops a loving and charming personality. He goes by the name Johnny Five. The robot F/X was well done. Plus you actually end up liking the robot character. ...( read more)I liked this film. Even after watching it years later I still think this is a solid entertaining movie. Stars Steven Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens and Ally Sheedy. The movie is simple and fun. Great for kids and adults to enjoy.
  • maxwelleite
    November 7, 2009
    maxwelleite
    Meio idiota, mas é um classico sci-fi para a família.
  • totalefreiheit
    November 3, 2009
    totalefreiheit
    Clasico! Johnny Five rules!!!
    El robot que siempre quise tener!

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Short Circuit Trivia

  • "johnny five is_________"? taken from short circuit.  Answer »
  • What was the name of the intelligent robot in short circuit called?  Answer »
  • In the short circuit movies, what is the robots name?  Answer »
  • What was the name of the Organization that created number 5, in Short Circuit?  Answer »
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