Short Circuit (1986)
We noticed all the biggest podcasts seem to have celebrity hosts, murder or hot takes. Shat The Movies lacks star power. And it doesn’t have thrilling true-crime tales. So this week we’re banking on misguided opinions as we plug into “Short Circuit.”
Big D doesn’t think Johnny 5 is really alive. Ash believes this is Ally Sheedy’s worst performance. And Gene is convinced Ben Jabituya isn’t Indian. Two of them are wrong, and Gene wrote this episode description.
Despite their divergent opinions, the Shat Crew agreed on a lot of things about this 1986 Steve Guttenberg comedy: The robot design is classic. The film is oddly paced. And NOVA’s security force is a bunch of dicks.
Plot Summary: In the 1986 sci-fi comedy Short Circuit, directed by John Badham, a military robot named Number 5—voiced by Tim Blaney—gets struck by lightning and gains human-like consciousness. Initially created as part of a secret government project to develop high-tech battlefield robots, Number 5 was designed for combat, but after the accident, he becomes self-aware and curious about life. No longer a mindless machine, Number 5 escapes from the military facility, setting off a frantic search by his creators and the government.
Ally Sheedy stars as Stephanie Speck, a kind-hearted animal lover who befriends Number 5 when he stumbles upon her house while on the run. Despite her initial shock, Stephanie realizes that the robot is alive and capable of learning, feeling, and cracking jokes. Together, they form an unlikely bond, with Stephanie teaching Number 5 about human behavior, emotions, and the value of life.
Meanwhile, the robot’s inventor, Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), and his eccentric assistant Ben Jabituya (Fisher Stevens) are tasked with tracking down Number 5 before the military can destroy him. As Newton comes to understand that his creation has developed sentience, he faces a moral dilemma: should he capture and dismantle Number 5 as ordered, or protect the robot’s newfound independence?
As Number 5 evades capture, the movie takes viewers on a lighthearted adventure filled with humor, action, and heartwarming moments. The film explores themes of identity, the value of life, and what it means to be truly alive.
Short Circuit is a feel-good 80s classic that combines sci-fi elements with comedic charm. Join our podcast review as we revisit this beloved film, discussing its memorable characters, quirky humor, and whether its message about humanity still resonates with audiences today.
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