Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat noted, “The word robot was coined in 1921 from the Czech word "robotta" meaning compulsory labor. Since then, we've been treated to a variety of science fiction tales about these technological creations. Today's personal robots can do little more than talk, move around, and pick up lightweight objects. Experts believe that someday the robot will evolve into a companion and information base, similar to C3PO in the Star Wars trilogy. With their fast silicon brains and their tireless bodies, these intelligent machines will be capable of round-the-clock work, creative thought, and perhaps even independent action.”
In “Short Circuit,” a thoroughly enjoyable 1986 fantasy movie, the president of Nova Robotics, played by Austin Pendleton, shows a group of stylish robots before some military personal. Costing $11 million each, these robots are designed with lasers that make them the perfect weapons.
When No. 5, voiced by Tim Blaney, is struck by lightning, it malfunctions and runs away from the laboratory. Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), who originally made by robots, and his associate, Ben (Fisher Stevens), drive around to find the escaped robot. An aggressive security officer, played by G.W. Bailey, from Nova Robotics wants to disassemble No. 5, which he says is a “stupid contraption.”
No. 5 goes to Stephanie, played by Ally Sheedy, a young woman who drives a snack van and her home is a shelter for stray animals. Initially, Stephanie thinks No. 5 is an alien. Brussat said, “Later, she learns that he has refashioned his circuitry. The ultimate killing machine is now a peacenik who no longer wants to kill — or "disassemble."”
Brussat continued, “No. 5 digests new "input" by speed reading Stephanie's set of encyclopedias and her dictionary; and he views hours of nonstop television. Soon the lovable robot is doing John Wayne impressions, spouting advertising jingles, and even miming John Travolta's dancing from Saturday Night Fever.”
Since this is a fantasy film, No. 5 outsmarts his enemies (he even reprograms three robots that are chasing him and turns them into the Three Stooges). In the end, he laughs. This “spontaneous emotional response” makes his creator Newton Crosby believe that “No. 5 is alive.” “Short Circuit’s” happy ending will make every viewer a child.
No.5, now called “Johnny Five” is delivered to the Big City, where friend Ben (Fisher Stevens) is having a difficult time creating toy models of his mechanical gadget on the street.
Beautiful store employee Cynthia Gib needs to bring a novel item to her shelves, and sends Ben and self-made entrepreneur Michael McKean into work by ordering 1,000 of the little trinkets for the Christmas season. Variety noted in there review, “Underhanded banker Jack Weston has some other ideas for the tireless automaton, scheming to kidnap it and press it into service stealing some priceless jewels from a safe deposit box.”
Variety continued, “Although derivative, the robot, made up of all manner of spare electronic parts, remains charming, and kids will undoubtedly find delightful scenes in which Number Five jumps around from place to place and sails through the air amid the skyscrapers of Toronto.”
The film takes place in a basic US city, consisting with American flash and a citizenship swearing-in ceremony. However, the movie was actually shot in Toronto.
Now, these films can be considered guilty pleasure. Even though Fisher Stevens can be considered racist for the way he is portraying an Indian, he is still a likable character, along with Johnny Five. You should check these 80s movies out because you will thoroughly enjoy them.
Check in next week for the next installment in “Robots Month.”
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