Short Circuit 2

PG

1988

1 hr. 50 min.

Kids & Family

Comedy

List

38%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Having rescued robot Johnny Five (Tim Blaney) from being destroyed by the military in "Short Circuit," Indian scientist Ben Jahrvi (Fisher Stevens) moves to New York City to become an American citizen. After struggling to sell a few toy replicas of Johnny, Ben must scramble to make more when Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb) orders 1,000 for her department store. With Johnny's help, Ben begins making the gadgets, but his plans are endangered when thief Oscar Baldwin (Jack Weston) steals Johnny.

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Jeremiah N

"Short Circuit 2" is really good continuation of the previous movie "Short Circuit"! Fisher Stevens plays great as the supporting character that Johnny 5(Tim Blaney, voice) helps! Johnny 5 though naive to city life, learns about things that are different than the previous movie! My favorite scene is where Johnny 5 takes Fred Ritter(Michael McKean) into a RadioShack® to repair himself, only needing Fred for soldering and informing Johnny 5 where his friend is, making Johnny 5 get Rea peaved!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

35 years old and still not as bad as you'd think The robot Johnny 5 is back for another adventure following the 1985 sleeper hit This time he's exploring the big city of NY Ben is also back trying to sell goods on the streets to make some money Johnny 5 faces a bigger challenge; he's alive but a majority of people around him only see him as a machine with no soul So he tries to understand what it means to be human while also helping Ben create toys, becoming a citizen, and romancing a toy maker named Sandy They are also working with shady business partner, Fred looking to make a quick buck from a loan shark A thief named Oscar gets wind of Johnny 5 and plans to rob a bank exploiting his friendship Director Kenneth Johnson takes more of a human approach for this lovable robot longing for friends and acceptance by society Johnny 5 has a lot to learn about human behavior from trust, lying, and responding to feeling alive Should he have the same rights as a human? It's pretty bold during a scene where he goes to church (getting hit by lightning appears to be an act of God) going over creation, origin There's more fun to be had with Johnny 5 exploring the Big Apple, Ben despite still being racially insensitive is quite likable, so many more shenanigans, and some gut wrenching moments for this robot Much more grown up stuff for sure I have to admit that takes gall to make you feel for a machine The music is total 1980s cheese no doubt It also feels like there's so much going on narrative wise Yet this is a good looking film and very funny And this is still a lovably goofy movie featuring a fun robotic character exploring deeper issues about artificial intelligence vs living with feelings

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/12/23

Full Review

David W

Johnny Fives back and he's still endearing. The movie as a whole isn't bad for a sequel and has some funny moments amongst the schmaltz. Maybe not quite as enjoyable as the first and it still has those 'of their time' racial sensibilities. However, it's far from terrible and still worth a watch for those feeling nostalgic or simply wanting a light, slapstick comedy with just a hint of life contemplation.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie so much more than the first Short Circuit, and it's still entertaining after years of repeated views. Yes, it's silly and slapstick, but the characters are relatable and the acting is legitimately good. The final chase scene still makes me cry every time. I NEED A HERO.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Less funny than other comedies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This sequel deftly makes itself more funny and self aware then its predecessor. The creative team here doesn't take this film very seriously and loads the end product with hilariously schmaltzy and over-the-top gags and comedic sketches.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Kenneth Johnson

Director

Fisher Stevens

Ben Jahveri

Michael McKean

Fred Ritter

Cynthia Gibb

Sandy Banatoni

Jack Weston

Oscar Baldwin

Dee McCafferty

Saunders

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Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - One Pissed-Off Robot

2:48

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - I'm Alive

2:44

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Recycle This

3:26

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Gang Initiation

2:42

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Robot Rights

2:59

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Bad Robot

3:08

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Prompting Love

3:31

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Golden Johnny Five

2:22

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Manic Robot

1:45

Short Circuit 2: Official Clip - Johnny Five Arrives

3:00

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Rob Humanick

Projection Booth

An awkward manifestation of both the typically overwritten trappings of a box-office mandated sequel and a seriously thoughtful rumination on free will.

Rated: B

Jun 26, 2011

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

This sequel is slightly better than its barely-above-average predecessor.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

Alex Sandell

Juicy Cerebellum

Entertaining enough, as far as sequels go.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 23, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 11, 2005

Full Review

Greg Maki

Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Rated: 3/5

Jan 30, 2005

Full Review

Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

One of those "why the?!?!" sequels.

Rated: 1/5

Jul 21, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Having rescued robot Johnny Five (Tim Blaney) from being destroyed by the military in "Short Circuit," Indian scientist Ben Jahrvi (Fisher Stevens) moves to New York City to become an American citizen. After struggling to sell a few toy replicas of Johnny, Ben must scramble to make more when Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb) orders 1,000 for her department store. With Johnny's help, Ben begins making the gadgets, but his plans are endangered when thief Oscar Baldwin (Jack Weston) steals Johnny.

Director: Kenneth Johnson
Executive Producer: Michael MacDonald
Screenwriter: Brent Maddock , S.S. Wilson
Production Co: TriStar Pictures , Turman-Foster Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family , Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Sound Mix: Surround , Stereo

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