Stars: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey, David Oliver

Director: John Badham

Summary: An amusing comedy tale about No. 5, a robot, who when hit by lightning, wanders away from the top secret compound at Nova Robotics. An attractive caterer discovers him and, convinced he is alive, helps protect him from the commandos who are sent to track him down...

When a laser-armed Department of Defence 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 loveable science fiction icons such as E.T. and R2D2 from STAR WARS.

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John Badham's family-orientated adventure comedy Short Circuit, though obviously hatched in 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 wacky sense of humour 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 Number 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

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interviews
Year:	1986
Release Date:	April 5, 2004
Runtime:	95 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C C D 9789
Keywords:	Comedy, General, Short, Circuit, Rescheduled
Genre:	Comedy