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Short Circuit [1986] | ![Short Circuit [1986]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZYRE8CQGL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: John Badham
Actors: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.w. Bailey
Studio: Cinema Club
Category: Video
List Price: £5.99
Buy Used: £4.81
You Save: £1.18 (20%)
Used (3) Collectible (1) from £4.81
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 3946
Format: Dolby, Pal, Surround Sound
Rating: Parental Guidance
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 4.7 x 1.2
EAN: 5014138297886
ASIN: B000057VV5
Theatrical Release Date: May 9, 1986
Release Date: April 5, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence!
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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 The patron S.A.I.N.T. of robot movies September 17, 2008
T. Taylor (Kent, UK)
I must have been eleven years old when I first saw this film, and right from its oddly quirky (and gorgeous) opening music I was hooked.
The idea is not new, nor original. An experimental military robot goes wrong and escapes the institute at which it was built. The institute must then send personell to capture it before it causes any harm. Except that it's not going to cause any harm.
Strategic Artificially Intelligent Nuclear Transport (SAINT) No. 5 is inquisitive, thoughtful and totally unaware that it is a weapon. It thirsts desperately for knowledge, or 'input', and has a penchant for television re-runs, soon befriending Stephanie, a struggling young woman with a rampant habit of taking in stray animals.
The simple turning on its head of the 'rogue robot' storyline in which the escaped mechanism is the hero, rather than the villain, is what makes Short Circuit such compulsive viewing. The film raises, with comedic subtlety a variety of difficult questions. Bringing into focus how we define life, how we define free will and meeting with the reality of death.
This is a film that kids love for its broad, exciting adventure and which adults will adore for its depth. Unfortunatley Tim Blaney's portrayal of No. 5 is often irritating and over the top. Far better would have been the use of the text-to-speech system that voices every other robot.
 NO DISSASEMBLE! June 5, 2008
A. Hearnden (UK)
My kids are little. This film is still BIG1
They loved it (and so did we). All the cast got into the acting in such a realistic way and as for our asian chum - he made the film!
classic, great, watchable for ever and a day.
"Input, Input..."! February 10, 2008
b4-its-2-l8 (London)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Just to be very clear and to ensure there's no confusion from the start; if you've already seen the Short Circuit 2 - IGNORE IT, it's one of the most cringe-making sequels ever to be produced (and if you haven't seen it, don't bother) - this film is vastly superior in nearly every way.
The premise is: One of a series of high-tech military robots gets struck by lightning whilst on arms sales manoeuvres and comes to 'life'. Through a series of coincidences, robot No.5, finds itself free of Nova Robotics' R&D compound and so begins Johnny Five's comic quest for knowledge and freedom - set against the backdrop of Nova Robotics' attempts to regain control of it.
This is a lightweight sci-fi caper which is highly entertaining especially for kids, but adults will be able to enjoy the witty scripting and solid performances of the main characters (this is one of Guttenberg's best movies). The quality of the animatronics is excellent and ahead of its time.
There are some genuinely funny scenes (which older audiences will appreciate more as certain references won't mean much to children now - unless they have a taste for old movies), nonetheless it's peppered with good dialogue too that will raise a smile from anyone.
Okay, so it's not Shakespeare, and some of the anti-war, life affirming sentiments can seem a wee bit corny to some - but look passed its simplicity and you'll see a family movie about humour, of which it has in an abundance. It's a mini classic of its genre and well worth the watching time, I'm sure you'll save it to watch again.
 It'll Entertain the Kids September 11, 2007
R. LONG (Hull, UK)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
The kids do enjoy this - particularly trousers falling down gags. The funny asian accent gag is a bit worn and beware, parents, the word: "a..hole" is delivered at least once. From a parents point of view I found it disappointing for reasons such as these, its general datedness. If ET gets only 5 stars - this only deserves 2. It just doesn't compare with the greats.
Considering its computer theme, its aged well! August 11, 2007
T. Clarke (UK)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Short Circuit was originally just a cheap buy from my local Blockbuster when I was very young. Ahhh, the 90's! What a great era! I can even remember being off school sick, and my mum coming back with this video, its prevous home being in the ex-rentals section. I don't think I stopped playing it for years!
I'm 18 now, and after coming across this trip down memory lane, I can honestly say its aged pretty well! The plot? engaging enough for any young lad who loves robots and technology. Cut long story short, an army-funded weapons centre has developed a group of self-aware robots. When I say self-aware, I mean they speak, think, plan, you name it! And a demonstration at the start of the film shows our (sorry... USA's!) robots in a mock-up situation. So, where does the turn around come in? One of the robots, Number 5, is struck by lightening, and no longer just runs programs... he thinks he's human!
And so, our confused litle Number 5 is out and about, away from the base, and is soon united with a young lady at her house, where he attempts to gain "input" (computer terminology for learning!) and from here on, the film is a blast, as he not only becomes a help, but at the same time, a pain!
This is what I now consider, a typical 80's film - 'that' sort of music, ambitious ideas, and love themes. But admist all this, their is a definate moral that comes out of this which cannot age, and the soundtrack is lovely. Even the effects pass in my books, as they are pre-computer (thankfully) meaning no silly, crazy ideas - just brilliant props. And when looking at it, the realise more and more just how well planned, designed, and shot these lifelike robots are!
If your not sure whether to buy this, its actually a regular on Channel 5! But I can't see anything negative about it, its just a great, imaginative film, thats heart-warming, action packed, humerous, and sometimes.. cheesey!
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