Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.
- Director
- Writers
- S.S. Wilson
- Brent Maddock
- Jay Tarses(uncredited)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- S.S. Wilson
- Brent Maddock
- Jay Tarses(uncredited)
- Stars
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
Videos1
- Director
- Writers
- S.S. Wilson
- Brent Maddock
- Jay Tarses(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe sound of Number 5's laser firing is the same effect as the Ghostbusters' Proton Packs powering up.
- GoofsWhen Frank lifts the glass of orange juice off the tray there is some resistance at first, probably from the magnet or adhesive used to keep the glass from sliding off during filming.
- Crazy creditsThe credits are played out over a montage of scenes from the movie, including a pair of scenes that failed to make the final cut. One involves an encounter between Number 5 and a toy robot, the other involves a scene in a scrap yard where a scrapped car that Number 5 is currently sitting in is crushed.
- SoundtracksWho's Johnny
("Short Circuit" Theme)
Written by Péter Wolf (as Peter Wolf) and Ina Wolf
Performed by El DeBarge
Courtesy of Motown Records
Top review
I Heart Number Five.
Short Circuit is an off-the-wall comedy about a series of robots made of the military. They sort of resemble Conky from the old Pee Wee's Play House series. One of the robots, 'Number Five', escapes and finds sanctuary in the home of Stephanie Speck (Allly Sheedy), a nice lady with a soft spot for runaways.
Speck becomes good friends with 'Number Five' who begins to take on a lot of human characteristics, transcending the static life of a robot or the hostile life of a military weapon, which is what the robots were designed for.
Speck learns that Number Five's owners are looking for him, but she knows that the military would only destroy Number Five or terminate the emotional drive that he has developed. Number Five's designer, Newton Crosby (Guttenberg) and his silly assistant Ben Jabituya (Stevens), have yet to appreciate what Number Five has achieved, as a shell of wires and controls able to take on human qualities, but, soon, they too will join Speck in the quest to save 'Number Five.'
Some of it is kind of reminscint of other 80s sci-fi movies like 'Batteries Not Included' and 'E.T.'
There's two issues at work in this movie. The first, and obvious one being about the development of human emotion and would it be possible for anything to gain an understanding and appreciation for it? And the second being the ethics of military useage. Plus, it's your standard 80s love and friendship story. Because of the story and the sharp wit comedy and sarcasm, it's makes for good comedy. I haven't seen the sequel in a long time, but I do remember enjoying it almost as much as the first. I think that's because 'Number Five' is such a funny, loveable robot.
If you like the theme of this movie, I recommend seeing the hilarious comedy, 'Making Mr. Right,' which is about a robot designed for space exploration rather than military use. But, the robot begins to take on human emotions while the owner becomes increasingly more like a robot. (It's from Susan Siedleman, the director of 'Desperately Seeking Susan.')
Speck becomes good friends with 'Number Five' who begins to take on a lot of human characteristics, transcending the static life of a robot or the hostile life of a military weapon, which is what the robots were designed for.
Speck learns that Number Five's owners are looking for him, but she knows that the military would only destroy Number Five or terminate the emotional drive that he has developed. Number Five's designer, Newton Crosby (Guttenberg) and his silly assistant Ben Jabituya (Stevens), have yet to appreciate what Number Five has achieved, as a shell of wires and controls able to take on human qualities, but, soon, they too will join Speck in the quest to save 'Number Five.'
Some of it is kind of reminscint of other 80s sci-fi movies like 'Batteries Not Included' and 'E.T.'
There's two issues at work in this movie. The first, and obvious one being about the development of human emotion and would it be possible for anything to gain an understanding and appreciation for it? And the second being the ethics of military useage. Plus, it's your standard 80s love and friendship story. Because of the story and the sharp wit comedy and sarcasm, it's makes for good comedy. I haven't seen the sequel in a long time, but I do remember enjoying it almost as much as the first. I think that's because 'Number Five' is such a funny, loveable robot.
If you like the theme of this movie, I recommend seeing the hilarious comedy, 'Making Mr. Right,' which is about a robot designed for space exploration rather than military use. But, the robot begins to take on human emotions while the owner becomes increasingly more like a robot. (It's from Susan Siedleman, the director of 'Desperately Seeking Susan.')
helpful•223
- vertigo_14
- Apr 19, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Nummer 5 lebt!
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $40,697,761
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,346,808
- May 11, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $40,697,761
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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