Short Circuit (1986)

[knowledge_of_self]

I recently got a chance to watch this old classic I had never seen before and I really enjoyed it. It has such a great story, kind of philosophical and really funny at times. And it's great for the whole family.

There is also a sequel. I haven't seen the second one yet, but I plan to ;D

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091949/

 

[3DStudent]

I always loved that movie as a kid. I agree that it is a warmhearted family movie. (Pretend that is a robot dancing.)

 

[loreta]

I remember I saw this movie when I was learning English. It is very funny. I love movies with moppets or animals. It is fun sometimes (sometimes I say) to feel a kid. ;D

 

[melatonin]

This is a great film. It has that special feel to it, like "The goonies" and other films from that era.
:)
Im always trying to chase that feeling again, but can never find it.

 

[H-KQGE]

Oh. My. God! Do not get me started on the heartwarming 80's films from my youth!
How about short circuit 2? How about "the boy who could fly?" or "flight of the navigator" to add to the timeless classic that is the goonies? I don't know what part of america they lived in but i always wished i lived there!
I think that "labyrinth" with david bowie has been mentioned elsewhere too. I've actually got a movie app that has a few of these classics. What about "masters of the universe" aka he-man! I'll still watch the back to the future's (well maybe not the last one)-the trick is to make sure you don't watch them for ages, then let the childhood feelings & memories come flooding back. Teen wolf? Sure! Don't forget about "harry & the hendersons"(a family takes in a bigfoot for those wondering) "monster squad". Honestly, the films didn't need to be great, it was & still is about the memories & the feelings & sharing it with other kids who loved 'em as much as you did.

Loreta i say to you "the muppet show" & "fraggle rock", Melatonin keep chasing that feeling you'll surely get it!
I've been singing "power of love" whilst writing this. (oops i almost forgot "big" with tom hanks!)

 

[aaronfransen]

I actually thought Short Circuit 2 was a much better film (though I did enjoy the first one too), despite the acting being worse. Actually the acting in the second one almost ruined the film, but it was done with heart and emotion and, at least to me, ended up having a far greater impact on me than #1.

I thought the writing was snappier, but it seems the director was a little over his head (his claim to fame was producing The Incredible Hulk TV series).

Still, one of those films from the 80's that when it's on I usually end up watching! (Either of them for that matter!)

 

[meta-agnostic]

the timeless classic that is the goonies? I don't know what part of america they lived in but i always wished i lived there!

The Goonies took place and was filmed mainly in and around Astoria, Oregon. The Walshes' house is still a landmark that people visit, although it is privately owned. Just search "Goonies house". I always thought the movie made it seem like a cool area but I could never figure out how Spanish pirates supposedly managed to hide their ship all the way over on the Oregon coast

Both Short Circuits had some great moments of lessons about what it means to be human (3rd density?) and addressed psychopathy as well although not in much depth. "Do not disassemble Johnny 5!"

 

[H-KQGE]

Ah! Thanks meta-agnostic. I've often wondered where it was set since i was around age 10/11 'till now.
Oregon you say? I'm not aware of any stand-out features in that part of america. The movie did make the area look cool & feel sort of special too. At the start with the houses that were to be demolished (loved the look)& especially the area with all the trees (the bit where the older brother tries to impress the cheerleader in the car with her "friends") was probably the best for me. I love anywhere with trees like that. (instead of urban sprawls eating up natural habitats)
I hope Oregon isn't another of those high-strangeness states with mothman-like "window fallers" like Virginia & all the rest!
I agree with lost spirit about the acting & writing in short circuit 2. It's as if the writer went on a holiday & came back not really knowing or remembering which way the script would unfold. Or something. (Or maybe it WAS the director, i haven't seen it for about 10 years)
Anyways, those '80s films started getting to me even back then because i would get sucked in to the story(i can only watch movies if i put myself in the characters scenario) & really connect with how the protagonists early path would unfold. Then it starts to go down the drain by being bullied or tormented or whatever. All the time. It used to (not so much now) always make me feel sad & practically spoil the movie for me. Why do the good guys always go through so much pain? Bah! On a brighter note:"johnny 5...is still alive!"

 

[chezza]

I remember this film. Classic!

I wish I could read like Johnny 5 could (assuming he could understand everything he read) ;D

 

[peche]

What a great and funny movie! I was 6 years old when it came out and I remember running to rent it when we got our first VHS reproducer :P

 

[speakthetruth]

I watched this all the time as a kid. I loved it. Like you said it is philosophical. Can robots be alive? And when does something like that get rights of life? Questions that we will be answering soon as we and our technology evolves.