Short Circuit Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1986

When a military robot developed by Nova Laboratories is struck by a bolt of lightning that causes a short circuit, it develops a self-awareness and life of its own. After escaping the laboratory of its origin, it meets up with Stephanie Speck, a young woman that cares for outcast animals, in a sleepy town. But as the robot and Stephanie both confront the possibility that the robot is actually alive, Nova's security forces as well as the U.S. military set forth to recapture the robot using any means necessary.

Short Circuit is a charming 80's comedic adventure that revolves around a robot named Number Five and its quest of self-discovery. After being developed by Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), an employee for Nova Laboratories (a firm that develops military applications for the U.S. military), Number Five is caught in the midst of an electrical storm. When it is infused with a bolt of lightning it develops a sentience of its own and leaves the confines of its birthplace to explore the wondrous real world.

Number Five soon crosses paths with Stephanie Speck (Ally Sheedy), a woman that cares for discarded or abused animals. She is quickly captivated by the robot and helps to educate it in the ways of humanity and the world.

Meanwhile the head of Nova Laboratories, Howard Marner (Austin Pendleton), is determined to track down the renegade robot before it can hurt any civilians. He sends out his chief of security, the militaristic Skroeder (G.W. Bailey), to retrieve the robot, but Crosby and his English-challenged Indian assistant, Ben Jabituya (Fisher Stevens), set out on their own to locate their creation before Skroeder has the opportunity to destroy it.

Director John Badham wove together the perfect blend of romance, lighthearted comedy and adventure, creating a harmless film that's ideal for the entire family. Short Circuit does not provide a constant injection of hilarity, but there's more than enough levity throughout to make it a perfect feel-good movie. Watching Number Five process and mimic the "input" it receives from people and television shows such as The Three Stooges is always good for some laughs, while the cast itself is lovably charismatic.

Steve Guttenberg made a career out of playing lovable goofs, so it comes as no surprise that he performed admirably with his role as a researcher that's brilliant when it comes to science but sadly naïve when it comes to women. Fisher Stevens was a well-chosen Arabic sidekick for Guttenberg; his misguided and immature confidence concerning the female gender as well as his constant butchering of grammar provides plenty of laughs.

G.W. Bailey's acting career was primarily focused on made-for-television movies and shows, but in the 1980's he became well known for his over the top roles portrayals of militaristic or overly aggressive guards or instructors (i.e., Police Academy). Perhaps it can be argued that Hollywood typecast him into such roles before he returned back to television in the 90's, but there was no denying he played those roles well. He lends a manic life to Skroeder that makes him a villain viewers will love to jeer.

Short Circuit is clearly a product of the decade; it oozes with that inimitable 80's charm that modern cinema has sadly lost with the passage of time. It's not necessarily representative of the decade's best, but Badham definitely achieved what he set out to create: a breezy family film filled with clean, innocent laughs. (The film was so successful that it spawned a sequel two years later.)

Short Circuit managed to reserve a soft spot in my heart over the years, and if you're in the mood for a harmless and warm comedy I think you'll find that it reserves a spot in your heart too.

Movie rating: 7 stars

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