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Short Circuit
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Funny, bullet-proof robot might charm older kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8–11
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Short Circuit
Parents need to know that from the opening scene -- which shows robots attacking and blowing up mannequins and heavy war machinery -- to the closing moments -- when bad guy-soldiers are trying to destroy the beloved robot-hero -- guns, rifles, lasers, and automatic weaponry are fired at regular intervals. No one is injured or killed, but the lovable robot character is in danger throughout. Also expect frequent, angry and/or frustrated swearing and mild profanity in many sequences.
Read our full review by Renee Schonfeld
Families Can Talk About
- 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?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
Not the movie I remember!
- I rate this title off for age 4 and give it
Not the movie I remember!
My almost-5-year-old LOVED Wall*E so when I came across a Short Circuit DVD, I just knew he'd get a kick out of that. Being rated PG, I figured it was safe so let him watch it without me in the room. I'd obviously forgotten about all the language because when I heard the "mild" profanity, it shocked me. All I remembered was how funny the robot was & how engaging. Fortunately, my son doesn't know the words they used were bad words - he doesn't hear those in our home - so it went over his head but I'm not going to give him the chance to learn them. I gave the DVD away. Sad, too, because it's such a cute movie otherwise.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Not as good as I remember
I had purchased this movie in a used store because I remembered liking it as a child. My children (6 and 9) wanted to see it due to their fascination with robots. I turned it off shortly after realizing the amount of language in it was appalling. There is also an early scene where Ally Sheedy is being abused by her (apparent) boyfriend (pushed and yelled at). There is no real family values in the movie and there are many better choices for a peaceful evening.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Still as funny now as it was
My husband and I laughed hysterically while watching this older movie with our kids. My only objection to having our 5 and 6 year old sons watching it was the swearing. We had to have a discussion about why we don't talk like that. And the opening scene was a little scary. But they loved the rest of the movie and begged to watch it again. The little sexual innuendos went right over their heads, as we had expected. Our tween daughter was indifferent to the movie at first, but she enjoyed it eventually.
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