Short Circuit (PG)
Funny, bullet-proof robot might charm older kids.
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- Studio: Tristar Pictures
- Directed By: John Badham
- Cast: Fisher Stevens, Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy
- Running Time: 98 minutes
- Release Date: 05/09/1986
- Video/DVD Release Date: 03/23/2004
- Genre: Comedy
- MPAA Rating: PG
Parents need to know
Families can talk about how the fighting in this movie looks less than real. Why does no one get hurt in all the gunfire? Also, what makes Number 5 think he's alive? What human feelings does he begin to have? How does the movie show that Stephanie is a caring person? Why is Ben funny? Do people from India really sound like Ben?
Message
Social Behavior:
Heroes are kind to animals, people, and robots. Villains (military and industrial types) are stupid, violent, and hard-hearted. An East Indian scientist's stereotypical speech and struggles with the English language provides much of the humor.
Consumerism:
Product placement is pervasive: Dr. Pepper, Brawny, MacIntosh, Pemco, Colgate, Alaska Air, Oreida, Volkswagen, Texaco, Campbell Soups. Some humor is derived from robot regurgitating familiar 1980s commercials.
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Robots are shown preparing and serving cocktails at party. Elderly couple at police roadblock briefly refer to the "grass in the glove compartment."
Violence
All cartoon/fantasy violence. Cars, equipment, mannequins blow up; lots of gunfire, though no one is hit or injured except robots, who almost always bounce back; physical scuffles on two occasions between young woman and ex-boyfriend; Three Stooges hits and slaps in several video excerpts; runaway truck causes cartoon mayhem; machine gun and laser attacks on robots.
Sex
One gentle kiss. Some mild sexual innuendo with one character's continued misuse of words and expressions.
Language
Frequent cursing: "hell" "damnit," "God damn," "pissed off," "Jesus," "fart," "red-ass," "son-of-a-bitch," "bulls--t," "bastard," "dips--t," "holy s--t," "asshole."
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Renee Schonfeld
Is it any good?
The highlight is when the robot mimics what he takes in around him, imitating John Wayne, The Three Stooges, George Raft, and John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. This movie is fun and harmless if viewers can get past the skin-deep characters (and performances), unnecessarily fiery battle sequences, and the lighter-than-air, obligatory romance.
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