Short Circuit

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Short Circuit

PG

1986

1h 38m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After a lightning bolt gives it human emotions and intelligence, a military robot escapes and finds refuge at the home of an animal-loving pacifist (Ally Sheedy).

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Critics Consensus

Amiable and good-natured but also shallow and predictable, Short Circuit is hardly as deep or emotionally resonant as E.T. -- though Johnny Five makes for a charming robot protagonist.

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Catharine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

10/27/2021

5/10

Folks who like tweaking the Army or those with a special fondness for adorable robots may enjoy this harmless, reasonably funny film.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

04/02/2014

1/4

The film has nowhere to go except to give us a predictable initial confrontation between Guttenberg and Sheedy over military weapons.

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

04/02/2014

2/4

One of the stranger ironies to be found in Hollywood these days is that some of its most resourceful directors use high-tech wizardry and state-of- the-art movie technology to make films that rail against the tyranny of science.

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Dan Webster

Spokesman-Review (Washington)

07/27/2024

3/4

You've seem it before, and it's got a sweetness that makes even Steven Spielberg look a little like Scrooge, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better film to both entertain your kids and teach them an important lesson about the meaning of life.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/07/2020

7/10

It's the charming machine and his damsel-in-distress who keep the picture afloat, putting a twist on conventional movie romances.

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

10/15/2018

In the spectrum of "Mac and Me," and "E.T.," its right there smack dab in the middle with "Batteries Not Included."

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Ben P

Jan 23

I liked this movie quite a bit! Recommend watching.

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Erica B

Aug 13

Definitely a movie ahead of its time!

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Mister M

Jul 27

Great movie!!! I'll be honest, it's not some groundbreaking unpredictable movie or a masterpiece of emotions & inspiration like Shawshank Redemption or Forest Gump (pretty incredible that those 2 films - easily 2 of the best ever made and your an idiot if you disagree - pretty much came out at the same time) but as far as a great kids and family movie it truly is a classic! It's a great film for the family. No, it's not some profound, life-changing film that revolutionized the industry, it's just a good, simple movie. Yes, there are plenty of other movies where the the good guy (or the robot hahaha) has all the cards stacked against him/her (or it 😂) and he pushes through (standard underdog wins), but what's wrong with that... especially to watch with your kids. This movie has plenty of humor that still holds up today, and it's just a great family movie that you kids will enjoy and will finish watching with smiles on their faces. It's simple, but it's very good and should be talked about more. It's a family classic and nothing less than that. It's not a maybe you and your kids should watch it, it's a DEFINITELY!!! Yes, I obviously loved this movie when I was a kid, and it still puts a smile on my face every time I think about it or hear it's name. Watch this movie with your kids, nieces, nephews, etc. Don't let this movie be forgotten about. You will not be disappointed watching this movie again, or for this first, and neither win your kids.

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Jay F

@TheMotionPictureNotion Jun 26

Decent enough for kids. Love a little 80’s cheese, but some of the dialogue is a little much, even for me. Ally Sheedy’s voice can also be a bit grating at times. That being said, Johnny Five is an endearing enough character to see you through to the end.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 20

Funny in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $39,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Michael D L

@Mlelijr77 May 20

Awesome Movie mixed with comedy and action

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John Badham

Director

Ally Sheedy

Stephanie Speck

Steve Guttenberg

Newton Crosby

Fisher Stevens

Ben Jabituya

Austin Pendleton

Howard Marner

G.W. Bailey

Skroeder

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Synopsis

After a lightning bolt gives it human emotions and intelligence, a military robot escapes and finds refuge at the home of an animal-loving pacifist (Ally Sheedy).

Director: John Badham
Producer: Lawrence Turman, David Foster
Screenwriter: S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Producers Sales Organization, Turman-Foster Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $39.0M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround

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