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Short Circuit (1986) 6.5
Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes. Director:John Badham |
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Title: Short Circuit (1986)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ally Sheedy | ... | ||
| Steve Guttenberg | ... | ||
| Fisher Stevens | ... | ||
| Austin Pendleton | ... | ||
| G.W. Bailey | ... | ||
| Brian McNamara | ... | ||
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Tim Blaney | ... |
Number 5
(voice)
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Marvin J. McIntyre | ... |
Duke
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John Garber | ... |
Otis
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Penny Santon | ... |
Mrs. Cepeda
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Vernon Weddle | ... |
General Washburne
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| Barbara Tarbuck | ... |
Senator Mills
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Tom Lawrence | ... |
Howard Marner's Aide
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Fred Slyter | ... |
Norman
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Billy Ray Sharkey | ... |
Zack
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
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 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. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
Plot Keywords:
mistaken for alien | animal lover | robot | struck by lightning | lightning |Taglines:
Life is not a malfunction. See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
9 May 1986 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Cortocircuito See more »Box Office
Gross:
$40,697,761 (USA)Company Credits
Production Co:
TriStar Pictures, Producers Sales Organization (PSO), Turman-Foster Company See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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("Short Circuit" Theme)
Written by Péter Wolf (as Peter) and Ina Wolf
Performed by El DeBarge
Courtesy of Motown Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
For the scene in which Number Five is flipping a coin, the coin was manipulated on a wire. See more »Goofs
During the chase scenes with Number 5 driving through the streets, the weather changes from sunny and clear to overcast between the shots. See more »Crazy Credits
The credits are played out over a montage of scenes from the movie, including a pair of scenes that failed to make the final cut. One involves an encounter between Number 5 and a toy robot, the other involves a scene in a scrap yard where a scrapped car that Number 5 is currently sitting in is crushed. See more »Soundtracks
Who's Johnny("Short Circuit" Theme)
Written by Péter Wolf (as Peter) and Ina Wolf
Performed by El DeBarge
Courtesy of Motown Records
See more »
Short Circuit is an off-the-wall comedy about a series of robots made of the military. They sort of resemble Conky from the old Pee Wee's Play House series. One of the robots, 'Number Five', escapes and finds sanctuary in the home of Stephanie Speck (Allly Sheedy), a nice lady with a soft spot for runaways.
Speck becomes good friends with 'Number Five' who begins to take on a lot of human characteristics, transcending the static life of a robot or the hostile life of a military weapon, which is what the robots were designed for.
Speck learns that Number Five's owners are looking for him, but she knows that the military would only destroy Number Five or terminate the emotional drive that he has developed. Number Five's designer, Newton Crosby (Guttenberg) and his silly assistant Ben Jabituya (Stevens), have yet to appreciate what Number Five has achieved, as a shell of wires and controls able to take on human qualities, but, soon, they too will join Speck in the quest to save 'Number Five.'
Some of it is kind of reminscint of other 80s sci-fi movies like 'Batteries Not Included' and 'E.T.'
There's two issues at work in this movie. The first, and obvious one being about the development of human emotion and would it be possible for anything to gain an understanding and appreciation for it? And the second being the ethics of military useage. Plus, it's your standard 80s love and friendship story. Because of the story and the sharp wit comedy and sarcasm, it's makes for good comedy. I haven't seen the sequel in a long time, but I do remember enjoying it almost as much as the first. I think that's because 'Number Five' is such a funny, loveable robot.
If you like the theme of this movie, I recommend seeing the hilarious comedy, 'Making Mr. Right,' which is about a robot designed for space exploration rather than military use. But, the robot begins to take on human emotions while the owner becomes increasingly more like a robot. (It's from Susan Siedleman, the director of 'Desperately Seeking Susan.')