SHORT CIRCUIT 2

US, 1988, 110 minutes, Colour.
Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean?, Cynthia Gibb.
Directed by Kenneth Johnson.

Short Circuit 2 is an enjoyable sequel to John Badhams' 1986 success. The film capitalises on the performance by Fisher Stevens in the original as a man from India, enjoying his Indian style and plays on words. It also capitalises on audience enjoyment of the robot - which is humanised in the manner of a mechanical E.T. This is to the fore in the sequel. This time Michael McKean? and Cynthia Gibb take the place of Steve Gutenberg and Ally Sheedy. Jack Weston makes a pleasantly nasty villain.

The film highlights technological developments, the possibilities of robotics -for good as well as for evil. Pleasingly undemanding.


1. An enjoyable sequel? The key elements from the original? Robotics? Johnny Five? Ben and his background and style?

2. Los Angeles locations, the city streets, the city itself, the warehouses, shops, banks? Musical score?

3. The importance of technology and robotics, toys, the use of robots for serious purposes, military and defence, for crime? The effects, Johnny Five and the special effects and stunts?

4. The connection with the original: Ben, losing his job, selling the toys, the encounter with Sandy and her order, meeting Fred the conman, the sending of Johnny Five and the making of the other models, the set-up for the jewel robbery?

5. Johnny Five as personal: the desire for input, Tim Blaney and his voice characterisation, the importance of verbal games and definitions, devouring dictionaries, imitating voices, for example Tarzan and the ventriloquist on television? His capacity for work, self-repair? The importance of truth? The encounter with Fred and Fred wanting to sell him, going out the window, the hang-gliding? Ben and the dating of Sandy, supplying all the words in electronic lights? Meeting the Los Angeles’ gangs and stealing the radios? The encounter with the police? breaking the handcuffs? Oscar and his friendship? Digging for him, the betrayal by Oscar? His being bashed by the thugs? Recuperating with Fred's help? The restoration? Comic robot personalised?

6. Ben and his Indian background, encounter with Sandy, awkward, the adventures, prompted and helped by Johnny Five, in the freezer with Fred, the arrest, the happy ending?

7. Sandy and her job, nice, meeting Ben, the date, the speech, the records and her getting the clues to release them. the taxi and the driver working out the clues for the rescue?

8. Oscar and the bank, his friendship, his thugs and their devices to get rid of the robot, their being foiled by Johnny. Oscar and his attempt, the friendship with Johnny, getting the robot to dig, the bashing, the chase, Oscar being caught?

9. The background of street-sellers, shops and toys, the police precincts? The bookshop owners and the chaos with Johnny reading the books?

10. The range of stunts and technology? A blend of action and comedy?