Short Circuit 2 (1988) User Reviews

Johnny 5 alive?You'd better believe it!

[slapmonkeyfilms · 7/10 · 5 March 2001]

An entertaining film,equal in standard to the first offering involving the loveable robot Johnny 5.We see him travelling to the big city where he meets up with his creator Ben.Johnny turns into a more streetwise robot throughout the film culminating in a thrilling and tearjerking climax.Also the use of telephone dialing tones to reveal Johnny's location was a surprisingly clever touch.Fun for all the family.No dissasemble Jonny 5 never!

"That's all we need. A robot that's into equal rights."

[Mr-Fusion · 6/10 · 21 March 2023]

If you walk into "Short Circuit 2" expecting something completely different, you'll be alright. Because it totally is. I used to know this movie by heart as a kid, and I'm pleased that it still has the charm.

Michael McKean is a great addition, and he gives his lightweight character some substance. But really, it's all about the robot. When Johnny 5 shows up, it's that ol' familiar voice, and it's fair to say Tim Blaney's voice acting carries the movie. By itself, the movie's "fine", but more fun when he's around. I even had a lump in my throat during the disassembly scene; it's a heartbreaking turn for a kid's movie.

Like I said, it all comes down to Johnny 5. If you liked him in the '80s, you will again today.

Crocodile Dundee (with robots)

[robotbling · 5/10 · 12 December 2011]

(www.plasticpals.com) I must be a sucker for punishment because here I am, reviewing Short Circuit 2 (1988). This time around the writers copied the fish-out-of-water in New York City formula from Crocodile Dundee, which had been the surprise hit of 1986. Fisher Stevens returns in his role as Ben (thick accent in tow), who has lost his job at NOVA Robotics and is peddling a toy version of Johnny 5 on the streets. He gets swindled into a business deal with conman Fred (played by Michael McKean) to build a thousand of the toys in just one month for a toy company. That's a problem, because Ben calculates it will take at least a year to fill the order.

A convenient plot device puts a pair of bumbling crooks underneath our hero's makeshift workshop. They're digging into the bank vault across the street to get their hands on some expensive diamonds. Fearing their plan will be jeopardized, the crooks try to scare them away by roughing up the place when they discover Johnny 5.

Johnny 5 can build the toys in no time but gets distracted by what the city has to offer. The mandatory scenes of Johnny 5 causing a stir in public are present and accounted for, as he gets into trouble looking for more input. That wouldn't be quite enough to fill out a feature length film, so of course the burglars take advantage of Johnny 5′s gullibility to break into the bank. It's a by-the-numbers plot, but at least it's better than the first film (though, that's not really saying much).

Of course Johnny 5 is still a great looking robot character, and it's easy to see why so many people love him. He even becomes the first robotic American citizen! It's a light-hearted kid's movie, so don't expect many laughs if you're over the age of 8.

One of the campiest movies ever

[Knapster · 1 December 1999]

This movie takes the robot Johnny 5 on a magical whirlwind tour of New York. He meets up with his friend and creator Ben Jahrvi they have fun, and Ben falls for an uptown girl. Johnny 5 comes to the aide of his friend and rescues the bank from a heist that he helped! Sounds like a lot to pack into the film but Steve does a great job of getting everything it needs to be into the small amount of time that this film takes up in our small meaningless lives. If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you rent it. Forget the blockbuster's and just rent this down to home comical romp through the lives or Ben and Johnny 5, I guarantee you will not regret it.

A great sequel

[deatman9 · 7/10 · 11 December 2012]

This is the sequel to the first classic starring Johnny Five. It returns a beloved character Ben as one of the main leads. Everyone does a great job and Johnny 5 is still as hilarious and adorable as ever. The plot is not quite as good or heartwarming but it is still very good and entertaining.

This movie is about Johnny 5 who goes to the big city to help his friend benjamin. He has to help him build tiny toy robots but in the mean time Johnny is manipulated by criminals to do their bidding.

This movie is good and in a lot of ways its better then the first because you see the robot much more and he is where the humor is.

Not as great as the last

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 17 September 2000]

There are some funny lines here and a somewhat credible plot, but it is mainly pointed at kids, unlike the first one where there was a family film feel. This time, Stevens (playing Ben Jarvhi who in part one was Ben Jabituya) and Johnny Five wind up with sleazy salesman (Michael McKean can always generate a laugh) and villains who want diamonds under there warehouse. Not great, but it isn't a complete waste either (Five still has charm). B+

Scaled back sequel

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 4 January 2015]

Ben (Fisher Stevens) has been reduced to selling toy copies of Johnny Five on the street corners. Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb) is a associate from Simpson toy department who runs across one of the tiny Johnny Fives. She orders for more toys which Ben is incapable of making by himself. Hustler Fred Ritter (Michael McKean) insinuates himself into the deal. He borrows from a loan shark to rent out a rundown place across from a giant bank. Little do they know that diamond thieves are trying to break into the bank through their rundown place. The thieves try to run them out. Then Johnny Five arrives from Newton and Stephanie's Montana ranch to help Ben build his toys.

It's a scaled-back sequel to the cute original. That explains the loss of the lead actors and relocate shooting to Toronto. Ally Sheedy only has a voice message. On the other hand, Fisher Stevens returns with the racially insensitive character. The movie is not only lower quality. It is more mean-spirited without the cute Newton and Stephanie romance. It's stupider. Johnny Five still has a bit of charm but the franchise is no longer fun.

Filmed in Toronto...

[tom_ashwell · 7/10 · 25 November 2007]

Some would sat it is not as good as the first film, and includes a scene that was in the closing credits of the first. I wondered where that scene went, and there it was. I lived in Toronto when it was filmed and my car actually appears in one scene. Seeing all those American flags all over the "old" city hall was puzzling. The film is reasonable considering how quickly it was put together. If yo9u liked the original, you should like this one. The robot is now famous and lacks his laser weapon due to moral concerns of his own. I find it a wonderful study in artificial intelligence, and robotics. The telepresence robot is still impressive to this day, second only to the "Chucky" robots. From a technical and philosophical standpoint I find it throroughly enjoyable. I like this move a lot, and recommend it. There are certain aspects that are more serious that the original, and you might find yourself liking it better than the original if you didn't like the campy flavour.

Funny, action-comedy, not quite as good as the original

[rebeljenn · 4/10 · 26 April 2006]

The sequel to 'Short Circuit' sees the return of Johnny Five (after coming to terms that he is alive) who tries to make it in the city, but in his innocence, he is tricked into being used by criminals. This film has some humour, but there is more of a story/drama in this film as opposed to the first. This film is weaker than the first one, and the characters seem to act differently from the original film. It is not quite as good, but it does have its moments and some pretty good action sequences. The ending of the film is virtually a rat race, and this will keep the pacing up while other scenes seem dull. If you enjoyed the first one, then watch this one; don't bother otherwise.

great for kids but it kind of ruins whole thing of the first film left

[mervclan · 6/10 · 21 February 2011]

I am doing a review on both films to gather first of all I saw this movie before the first one and I saw first one after and I love the first one it was funny charming and very sad this one is okay their are a couple of flaws that I am a bit upset with like where is number 5's friend and his owner the guy that created him in the first film it never says what happen to them did they get married or something like that and the other thing is the bad guys those two bad guys that bashed up number 5 they are so annoying their more annoying then don knots was in Herbie goes Monte Carlo and people where rude to number 5 in this film I felt so sory for number 5 and the black guy's friend try ed to sell number 5 this and All dogs go to heaven 2 are very underrated but I think that all dogs go to heaven 2 was just as good as the first one compared to this. But this film was charming and funny but not as good as the first film it should of shown number 5's friend and his owner. but this movie is better then inspector gadget 2 that awful Video that ruined the first film I give this movie a 6.1 out of 10.

Revenge of the 80's: The useless obligatory sequel.

[Captain_Couth · 2/10 · 8 July 2004]

Short Circuit 2 (1988) is a bad movie. No if ands or buts about it. Why was this movie made in the first place? I didn't realize that Short Circuit was such a "huge" success. I mean it was an okay film but there was no need for a sequel, especially one that smells like a bad of old bait. Dude this movie reeks. It's a one note movie featuring the "East Indian" Fisher Stevens and the now annoying Johnny-5. Well this was the 80's and I guess it was written in the contract that the producers made up during the production of part one, if Short Circuit makes a slight profit we'll shoot the "sequel". What may have looked good on paper looks bad on the screen.

Not worth your time unless you REALLY like Johnny-5.

Bad stuff, best to avoid!

A Very Touching Movie

[Gloucester Man · 10/10 · 11 June 2002]

I thought this was a very touching movie. Johnny 5 is a very sympathetic character with real human-like qualities. I enjoyed the romantic angle and I could identify with all the characters. I bought this video for my Mother and she loved it. Overall, I think this is a very underrated movie and I think this is an instance where the sequel is better than the original. Remember, it's a fantasy - it's good escapism.

Definitely it didn't match the original!!

[elo-equipamentos · 6/10 · 19 December 2017]

Lately l'd revisited Short Circuit, a fine movie indeed, but this sequel didn't match the first one, the magic is missing, the good thing as it might seem is Michael McKean as trickster guy who intent to make money all the time with Johnny five, the plot is driven to teenage audiences, follow the steps of "Home Alone".not very funny and too contrived situations make it far away from the original!!

Resume:

First watch: 1991 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6

Junk

[mrdonleone · 2/10 · 13 July 2019]

Not as good as the first part, the sequel lacks style, story and acting qualities to even be capable to be considered to be seen as the slightest bit of good. Rather it's a total of uninterested mess. Sad, really: they could have done so much more with this idea than to let it rot as the junk it became.

Johnny Five is back and better than ever!

[starmaster115 · 5 September 2001]

I remember heading to the video store with my parents as a child and managed to convince them to rent Short Circut 2 for more. I loveed it so much my parents would make me promise to not beg them to rent it (for the 5th time) before they would let me in the store. Life went on and I forgot about the movie until I was helping a friend filter through his closet for stuff and found an older TV recording of the movie. I borrowed it and watch, and then logged on IMBD, only to discover it was released on DVD just a week earlier and immediatly ordered it. I can't remember the last time I was so happy.

This movie will always be one of my favorites. Johnny Five is just so charming and likeable. The soundtrack gets is great and fits the mode just right, choosing to forgo most of the pop music for mood music. Even the opening scene music still isn't that far off from from todays standards (I could imagine it in a film today unlike most of the other 80's soundtracks). Anyway, it actually jerked a tear when Johnny got all beat up :( I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys movies that deal with emotions, relationships, and the most charismatic robot ever. When I become rich, I want a full replica of him. For anyone who dosen't like this movie, well, I suppose you are entitled to your own opinion.. even if it is wrong.

In a surprise that I didn't see coming, I much prefer Short Circuit 2 to the first one (even if some of the issues are carried over)

[IonicBreezeMachine · 7/10 · 24 September 2022]

After leaving NOVA Robotics following the incident with Number 5, now called Johnny 5(Tim Blaney), Ben Jahveri (Fisher Stevens) has moved to New York City where using his skills as a robotics specialist has built small, motorized toy versions of the S. A. I. N. T. Robots he sells on street corners. When one such robot wanders into an office building and catches the attention of junior executive Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb) who is under pressure from the top to find a new hi-tech toy when Ben's robot toy rolls into her office. Sandy tracks the toy back to Ben and offers a bulk order of 1,000 units which fellow street salesman Fred Ritter (Michael McKean) accepts on Ben's behalf as the two form an on-the-fly partnership with Fred getting the money from a loan shark for employees and a work space. However unknown to Ben and Fred their chosen location across the street from the bank is a subject of interest for two crooks who come in and destroy their workspace and frighten their workers to clear the building. With the workshop destroyed Ben contacts Stephanie and Newton in Montana for help and they send over Johnny 5 to help build the 1,000 toy robots. However with Johnny now in the big city with more "input" than ever Johnny 5 finds himself getting into mishaps and also the subject of ridicule from people who don't see him as alive.

Following the success of Short Circuit, producers David and Gary Foster set their sights on a sequel and enlisted original Short Circuit writers Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson to return. While attempts were made to reunite John Badham, Ally Sheedy, and Steve Guttenberg negotiations with Badham apparently fell through while Sheedy and Guttenberg turned down the opportunity (though Sheedy did provide an uncredited voice cameo). Director Kenneth Johnson helms the movie this time around in his feature debut after directing TV work such as Bionic Woman and The Incredible Hulk and the story shifts focus to Ben who's greatly expanded from his original role. Made for $15 million the movie was unfortunately a disappointment at the box office and critics were not particularly kind to the film (with the exception of Siskel & Ebert who gave it two thumbs up and said it was better than the original) and plans for a Short Circuit 3 were scrapped, though Johnny 5 would appear in an educational video called Hot Cars, Cold Facts. While Short Circuit 2 isn't well regarded by many I actually think the movie is a massive improvement from the first one and expands on what worked while pulling back on what didn't.

Much like the original film, Tim Blaney's Johnny 5 is unquestionably the heart and soul of this movie. With Johnny now taken from the rural areas of Washington and Oregon to New York City the writers are aware of how many comic opportunities there are given the character's childlike curiosity and this leads to some moments that run the gamut from emotional resonance to humorous such as Johnny inadvertently joining a street gang and stealing car stereos, Johnny going to a book store and reading every book he can in about 5 minutes, or Johnny going to a church to find answers only to be rejected by the priest because he thinks someone's confessing by "remote control". There's a lot of hard hitting moments when it comes to Johnny 5's character in this movie such as where Johnny 5 is arrested and taken to the stolen property room despite his protests that he's not property, or a scene where Johnny is read the books Pinocchio and Frankenstein. You really do care about Johnny 5 in the movie and when a movie shocks and saddens you for a machine you know it's working.

Fisher Stevens returns once again as Ben from the first movie and pretty much every criticism and point of context I made in my review of Short Circuit stands in Short Circuit 2. I will say however that despite that lingering elephant in the room, the human characters are much more engaging this time around. Ben is positioned as a secondary lead to Johnny and has a romantic subplot with Sandy and unlike the Guttenberg and Sheedy romance that I felt was tacked on I actually did buy into this relationship because Stevens and Gibb do have solid chemistry, and there's some charming scenes such as Johnny helping Ben a la Cyrano de Bergerac by giving him advice via a jumbotron or a scene in the climax involving telling a character their location by playing different songs on a touchtone telephone. Michael McKean's Fred Ritter is also a much more engaging character than Guttenberg's Newton and his arc through the movie where he recognizes Johnny 5 as alive and slowly abandons his self-serving opportunistic leanings made me care about him as a character. I also rather liked the villains who were way better than the generic Skroeder from the first film and there's a much more satisfying climax and payoff for those characters that I won't dare spoil except to say the impetus for the climax is why this movie sticks with a lot of people.

Short Circuit 2 is underrated in my opinion and I'm honestly kind of sad we never got Short Circuit 3 because of tis underperformance. Yes, the movie is still very silly as the concept of Johnny 5 giving "life" by lightning is inherently ridiculous, but the movie has fun with that ridiculousness and builds from where we left off. The human characters are much more defined this time around even if some retain the issues from the last film, but Short Circuit 2 is one of those movies I just can't help but say works.

Hi (Johnny) Five! Welcome back

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 31 May 2021]

Got to admit, had been a while since I last saw this. And the first one seems a little bit better than this one. That doesn't mean this is a bad effort! Cliches aside and a bit of story hickups here and there, this is more than a decent movie! I need more input you say? Well you are not alone - and no pun intended.

The outtakes on the release I got are also a very nice addition! Sometimes it even feels like Number 5 is alive ... Kudos to everyone working on so many multiple incarnations of that robot! Sometimes even just an arm for inserts or shots you didn't need to see the while body. Anyway that movie magic aside, the humor is there and you'll probably be entertained enough ... just don't mind the predictability and the fact they use a non indian to play an indian! Yes this is not politically correct ... those were the times! But they did mean well.

I wish Johnny-5 was not alive.

[Aaron1375 · 2/10 · 19 May 2010]

Because he must be alive, because a robot could rationalize the fact that because Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg would not be back for the sequel then there probably should be no sequel. Especially when the only returning character was a totally annoying character from the first film. No, Johnny-5 must be alive as he was promised a big paycheck to play in the sequel. So in the end you get a sequel that just is not very good, with a rather weak story and an annoying human lead character and an annoying robot lead character. You get Toronto I think it was posing as New York and you get a pointless movie all around with a really ludicrous ending. Still, I am sure kids during the day might have enjoyed it. Heck, as a kid I enjoyed the film "Heart beeps" and from what I understand that movie is rather bad too. The only things tying this film to the first one is the robot, the one dude from the first one, and a silly voice over from Ally Sheedy. Other than that it is like the first movie was never made. I mean did the military just forget about their top secret robots, granted they might have thought he was destroyed in the first movie, but he is supposedly wheeling all over New Toronto I mean York. Just a movie to try and capture the little magic there was in the first film. I think it rather failed.

Fun for kids !

[thepinkrabbit · 7/10 · 25 November 2011]

I just re watched this movie that I loved when I was a kid, because I already was crazy about electronics. But of course, it's a movie for kids not for adults. So I'm really scare to see so many comments in the "goofs/ real mistake" section ! those are not goofs or mistakes, a movie is a work of fiction and so it implies that the viewer is mature enough to understand that physicals laws don't apply in a kid movie. Besides kids are unaware of theses "goofs" so it doesn't matter. The worst thing I saw was someone explaining how a defibrillator can't recharge a battery. Yes of course any one clever enough to know how a defibrillator works and have some knowledge over batteries would know that BUT as it's a fiction , a movie, we understand that what matters is the " idea " in the script, not the actual real world science that matters here ! because if you go there, then you can say no robot can think for itself so it's a goof.. Please people try to get a whole picture ! When you watch a movie it's implied that you will see things that don't exist in real life and could not be possible in real life. So this movie is really great for 0-13 years old kids specially those who will be geeks:)

Short Circuit 2

[jboothmillard · 4/10 · 20 September 2005]

The first film is surprisingly good family fun, I remember seeing this sequel maybe once, and rating it rather low, so I decided to see it a second time to make sure that should still be the case. Basically Ben Jahrvi (Fisher Stevens), who co-invented Number Five, the robot struck by lightning and given a personality, is now living in New York selling small toy versions of his invention. With the help of con artist Fred Ritter (Michael McKean), Ben strikes a deal with a big toy company to produce 1,000 units of his toy with store buyer Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb), and Fred gets some loaned money for a warehouse, temporary workers and equipment. The workers vacate the premises due to some robbers, so Ben and Fred think it is impossible to get the order ready, until a crate arrives containing Number Five, now Johnny Five, sent by Stephanie and Newton (from the previous film) to help. Johnny Five proves himself a handy attachment to making the business successful, but with his vibrant personality, wanting to see the city and a need for more "input", i.e. quickly scanning more books, the robot is easily distracted. The thieves are pressed for time to steal the diamonds from the vault which is located right next to the old warehouse, and they can't do anything about it while Johnny Five is around. But devious bank teller Oscar Baldwin (Jack Weston) sees the robot not as a threat but a likely ally, as the robot believes him to be nice, he sees no problem asking it to help him gain access to the vault. Meanwhile, the order is near completion, and Ben wants Johnny Five to help him tell Sandy how he feels about her, and he manages it. After being rejected by so many people trying to convince them that he is alive, Johnny Five does indeed unintentionally assist the diamond robbery, and the thieves badly damage him to the point of dying and leaking battery fluid. But he manages to stop the bad guys before they can get away with it, and in the he is saved, covered in gold plating and declared a real citizen. Also starring David Hemblen as Jones, Don Lake as Manic Mike, an uncredited Ally Sheedy's voice on the phone, and Tim Blaney as the voice of Johnny Five. I guess I can sort of agree with the two star rating by the critics in part, but on the other hand, this is still a good fun film, mainly because of the animatronic star. The robot still makes you laugh with his impressions, handy attachments, vibrant personality and sometimes sympathetic scenes, so for that it is worth watching, not a bad fantasy comedy. Okay!

A Fun Family Film and Improvement From the First,

[lesleyharris30 · 7/10 · 15 August 2013]

Short Circuit 2 is a good movie with a storyline thats a lot more thought out,exciting and entertaining than the first Short Circuit.At first,I didn't really think it was going to be that good since the two main actors aren't even in it,but it turned out they really didn't need to be,what made this movie so enjoyable was Johnny Five,who's character is a lot more funny and less irritating in this one,and Fisher Stevens was great too,his character really developed this time instead of just being there for comic relief.The movie is very funny and has enough humor for young and older audiences,if you enjoyed the first Short Circuit,you'll certainly enjoy this.

Johnny Five is shopped out to the big city from Montana to help his friend Benjamin (Fisher Stevens) out with his new toy business,but criminals start getting the best of the gullible robot.

Blows a fuse...

[FlashCallahan · 3/10 · 13 February 2013]

Ben the walking stereotype is in New York selling little editions of Number Five.

There he meets one of Spinal Tap, and they go into business with Gibb to make more of the little Number fives. This all covers the sub-plot involving a jewel heist where some old boy called Oscar has hired two thugs to raid a bank.

The only problem is, the building where these criminals were working has been taken over by Ben. And then all of a sudden, Number Five arrives and causes all sorts of xenophobic hilarity.

Oh how I nearly smiled.....

This was rife during the late eighties and the early nineties, a film that wasn't expected to succeed as well as it did (sister act, Wayne's world, Beethoven), did do great business and garnered a sequel.

Some were okay, Bill and Ted delivered a good sequel, but this one fell into the category of great idea to begin with, but this is just scraping the barrel.

Stevens does what he can with the material, but there is none, it's just a case of Johnny five doing what he did in the first movie, copying things from the TV, radio, and commercials, to comic effect.

It was endearing the first time, but this just grates and annoys.

There the token scene near the end where we think Johnny Five may get killed, but hen he goes all gold plated at the end.

It's a dud movie, Sheedy can only be bothered to do a voice cameo, and it lacks any charm the original had.

The first movie I ever taped from TV!

[peanutismint · 10/10 · 9 October 2004]

I have just finished re-watching this pillar of my youth, and was reminded of what a family classic this really is! The sequel to Short Circuit is an improvement on the first film, if only for the inclusion of the then beautiful Cynthia Gibb as Sandy Banatoni (whom I had a HUGE crush on when I first saw the film at the age of around 8). But there are hundreds more memorable moments from the film which came flooding back to me as I watched, much to the annoyance of my housemates.

Great film, maybe not in a 'Pulp Fiction/Donnie Darko' sort of way, but great in a 'Bill & Ted/Flight of the Navigator' way, that it's a testament of my youth and will be shown to my kids when I eventually have some!

p.s. anyone notice a small similarity between Cynthia Gibb in this film and young Potter star Emma Watson? Weird...

The Vidiot Reviews...

[capone666 · 6/10 · 15 June 2015]

Short Circuit 2

Robots cannot only do our jobs better, but they can stand in the unemployment line longer than any human.

Fortunately, the bot in this comedy has multiple jobs to support him.

Loaned out to his old friend Benjamin (Fisher Stevens) to help with the production of his new toy line, Johnny 5 (Tim Blaney) finds NYC to be much more interesting than his rural home.

One day when he wanders off he befriends a bank-robber (Jack Weston) who wants to use Johnny 5 to dig a tunnel into a vault.

Meanwhile, Benjamin's business partner (Michael McKean) plots to sell Johnny 5 for millions.

Despite the poor casting of a white actor as the East Indian lead, this sequel to the corny original exceeds its predecessor by focusing more on Johnny's evolution, as well as ramping up the action.

Incidentally, Johnny 5 went on to become an unsuccessful bomb disposal robot.

Yellow Light

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