शॉर्ट सर्किट 2

As much as I enjoyed the first movie, I had a feeling that getting the second one on DVD would be a mistake. I should have gone with my gut feeling. On the cover, it says that Siskel and Ebert have uttered that this may possibly be better than the first one. I really doubt that - someone please give me the reference if I'm mistaken. The problem is, as with Crocodile Dundee 2 and numerous other sequels, the purpose and originality of the first movie is the development of the characters. The quirks, social ineptitude, surprising qualities, cultural clashes, are what make the movie worthwhile and even enjoyable to watch. With a revenue success, far too often a sequel will appear. Again and again, it becomes clear that when you apply the lovable characters from the first movie to some formulaic plot in the sequel, it fails. It not only fails, it becomes painful to watch, going from one cliché to the next. Funnily enough, the kids seem to like it...

Since Number 5 vanished into hiding with Newton and Stephanie in Montana, Ben Jahrvi has gone to New York to continue his career in robotic engineering. His options however, are limited and his new job sees him building toy Number 5's in the back of his van (which is also his home and office) and selling them on the street. A chance encounter with toy buyer Sandy Banatoni nets him an order for 1000 in only a month or two. Street hustler Fred helps him get premises for a factory (albeit a condemned one) in Midtown Manhattan. However unbeknownst to any of them the factory is already populated by bank thieves looking to tunnel into the bank across the road and steal a stock of diamonds. Their plans are greatly helped by the real Number 5 arriving on the scene but how will he react when he learns that outside the factory doors is a city full of input.

Following on from the guilty pleasure of the original film, Short Circuit 2 brings Johnny 5 to a city that looks like New York in the same way as a goldfish looks like a shark. The narrative itself is a mixed bag as it runs together plots about toy manufacture, jewel heists, a romance and 5's ongoing struggle to fit in and be accepted as a living being rather than a machine. The majority of it is very basic stuff and just produces noisy stuff that kids will enjoy but will do little for many others. The romance aspect is forced and unconvincing and is the one part of the film that should have been totally dropped. The strength of the film is 5's attempts to fit in and his internal struggle with the desire to be accepted by others. The few scenes that have this theme at its heart are the stronger parts of the film and it is a shame that they are few and far between.

Johnny 5 is perhaps a bit too wacky and comic to endear himself to adults but children (and people my age who were children back in the 80's) will love him. Blaney's voice work is a bit grating at times and is not helped by some of his dialogue but he is assured in the more touching moments while the robot itself has a surprising good use of body language to convey emotion considering it is just a big special effect. The irony of having white Stevens playing an Indian cliché in a film that has themes of acceptance and being yourself may have been lost on the writers but it did amuse me – which is more than I can say for Stevens himself. He tries hard to make the material work for him but his performance seems more and more in bad taste as time goes on. McKean is amusing in a fairly obvious character while Gibb can do little with the side of the script she is handed.

Overall then a solid children's film that could have done more but too often settles for simple comic antics. Children of the 80's will probably enjoy it since it is part of cultural knowledge and experience but just don't expect it to be as good as your rose tinted reminiscing would have you remember it.

I remember heading to the video store with my parents as a child and managed to convince them to rent Short Circut 2 for more. I loveed it so much my parents would make me promise to not beg them to rent it (for the 5th time) before they would let me in the store. Life went on and I forgot about the movie until I was helping a friend filter through his closet for stuff and found an older TV recording of the movie. I borrowed it and watch, and then logged on IMBD, only to discover it was released on DVD just a week earlier and immediatly ordered it. I can't remember the last time I was so happy.

This movie will always be one of my favorites. Johnny Five is just so charming and likeable. The soundtrack gets is great and fits the mode just right, choosing to forgo most of the pop music for mood music. Even the opening scene music still isn't that far off from from todays standards (I could imagine it in a film today unlike most of the other 80's soundtracks). Anyway, it actually jerked a tear when Johnny got all beat up :( I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys movies that deal with emotions, relationships, and the most charismatic robot ever. When I become rich, I want a full replica of him. For anyone who dosen't like this movie, well, I suppose you are entitled to your own opinion.. even if it is wrong.

This movie takes the robot Johnny 5 on a magical whirlwind tour of New York. He meets up with his friend and creator Ben Jahrvi they have fun, and Ben falls for an uptown girl. Johnny 5 comes to the aide of his friend and rescues the bank from a heist that he helped! Sounds like a lot to pack into the film but Steve does a great job of getting everything it needs to be into the small amount of time that this film takes up in our small meaningless lives. If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you rent it. Forget the blockbuster's and just rent this down to home comical romp through the lives or Ben and Johnny 5, I guarantee you will not regret it.

I thought this was a very touching movie. Johnny 5 is a very sympathetic character with real human-like qualities. I enjoyed the romantic angle and I could identify with all the characters. I bought this video for my Mother and she loved it. Overall, I think this is a very underrated movie and I think this is an instance where the sequel is better than the original. Remember, it's a fantasy - it's good escapism.