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Short Circuit [VHS] [1986]
 
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Short Circuit [VHS] [1986]

VHS ~ Ally Sheedy
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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2 new from £4.98 11 used from £0.01

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Product details

  • Actors: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey
  • Directors: John Badham
  • Writers: Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson
  • Producers: Dana Satler Hankins, David Foster, Dennis E. Jones, Gary Foster, Gregg Champion
  • Format: Dolby, PAL, Surround Sound
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Cinema Club
  • VHS Release Date: 5 April 2004
  • Run Time: 94 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000057VV5
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 5,701 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Product Description

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

Video Description
Number 5, one of a group of experimental military robots, undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning. He develops self-awareness, consciousness and a fear of the reprogramming that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Short Circuit [VHS] [1986]
75% buy the item featured on this page:
Short Circuit [VHS] [1986] 4.3 out of 5 stars (19)
Short Circuit 2 [DVD] [1988]
10% buy
Short Circuit 2 [DVD] [1988] 4.6 out of 5 stars (8)
£3.98
Batteries Not Included [DVD] [1987]
6% buy
Batteries Not Included [DVD] [1987] 4.2 out of 5 stars (5)
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The Goonies [DVD] [1985]
5% buy
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly exhilirating, 28 Oct 2001
Robot No5 is alive. This excellent movie is based on a robot,who is struck by a lighting bolt, which causes him to "malfunction" and escape from his creator.No5 then meets stephanie(played by ally sheady) teaches 5 all there is to know,but when stephanie tell nova robotics shes found No5,he doesnt want to be disasembled because No5 is alive and goes on the run. want to know what happens then buy this excellent film.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny & Great Entertainment, 23 Jan 2001
By A Customer
Johnny 5 is alive! This is such a great film, kids will love it. Great fun for everyone, one of my favourite films. Short Circuit 2 is great as well.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars "Input, Input..."!, 10 Feb 2008
By b4-its-2-l8 (London) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Short Circuit [DVD] [1986] (DVD)
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended (Y)
First of all the delivery was super fast! When it said between 5-11 working days I was expecting it to be the latter but it came within 3 days which was realllllly good... Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Ghanimeh

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch this film....STAT!
Ah, Short Circuit... a film I fondly remember as a child, with its loveable Number 5 and cutesy voice, the witty but reclusive Steve Guttenberg, playing a reclusive robot designer... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gail Parnell

5.0 out of 5 stars retro film that is alot of fun
A predictable movie with enough thrilling action scenes to hold your interest! It made me feel old when I saw the haircuts and clothes. Good reminder of the psychedelic age!
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Y. L. Cattermole

4.0 out of 5 stars short circuit
I have been trying to get a copy of this dvd for ages this is a good copy and i am very happy
Published 4 months ago by Mr. R. A. Burton

5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgia trip
Bought this DVD for my niece, but watched it first. Loved every second. Very funny, memorable one-liners...
Published 5 months ago by NICOLA GIBSON

3.0 out of 5 stars Ugly Box. Lovely Film
Brilliant retelling of Pinnochio, Number Five has more charm than any horrid dreamworks CGI character.
Word of warning. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Adam Fairclough

4.0 out of 5 stars The patron S.A.I.N.T. of robot movies
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. Read more
Published 9 months ago by T. Taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars NO DISSASEMBLE!
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... Read more
Published 13 months ago by A. Hearnden

3.0 out of 5 stars It'll Entertain the Kids
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.. Read more
Published 22 months ago by R. LONG

4.0 out of 5 stars Considering its computer theme, its aged well!
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! Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr Cheese

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