Short Circuit 2
(1988)
PG | 110 mins | Comedy | 6 July 1988
Director:
Kenneth JohnsonWriters:
S. S. Wilson, Brent MaddockProducers:
David Foster, Lawrence Turman, Gary FosterCinematographer:
John McPhersonEditor:
Conrad BuffProduction Designer:
Bill BrodieProduction Company:
Tri-Star PicturesAmid the box-office success of Short Circuit (1986, see entry), the 25 Jul 1986 DV announced that producers Larry Turman and David Foster began development of a sequel with returning writers S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock. Although Short Circuit director John Badham was also in talks to return, the project was later assumed by television writer-producer-director Kenneth Johnson in his feature film debut.
Fisher Stevens and voice actor Tim Blaney were the only members of the original cast to reprise their roles, although the surname of Stevens’ character was changed from “Jabituya” to “Jahrvi.” While the 6 Jul 1988 Chicago Tribune claimed Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy “declined to appear” in a second installment, Sheedy lent her voice for an uncredited cameo.
A 25 Aug 1987 DV production chart indicated that principal photography was scheduled to begin on 13 Sep 1987 in Toronto, Canada. The 15 Nov 1987 LAT estimated a $15 million budget.
Filming was completed in late Dec 1987, according to the Sep 1988 issue of AmCin. Rain and cold weather during production reportedly caused complications with the hydraulic and electrical systems of the five robots used to animate “Johnny Five,” which were built at Eric Allard’s All Effects Company studio in North Hollywood, CA. The machines, classified as “Remotely Operated Vehicles,” were constructed from remnants of robots that were damaged during production of the first film, with each function performed by a separate technician: Robert Mills controlled the head, Trish Leeper created facial expressions, Michael Sorensen operated the base, and Gord Robertson used a telemetry suit to mime the upper ...
Amid the box-office success of Short Circuit (1986, see entry), the 25 Jul 1986 DV announced that producers Larry Turman and David Foster began development of a sequel with returning writers S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock. Although Short Circuit director John Badham was also in talks to return, the project was later assumed by television writer-producer-director Kenneth Johnson in his feature film debut.
Fisher Stevens and voice actor Tim Blaney were the only members of the original cast to reprise their roles, although the surname of Stevens’ character was changed from “Jabituya” to “Jahrvi.” While the 6 Jul 1988 Chicago Tribune claimed Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy “declined to appear” in a second installment, Sheedy lent her voice for an uncredited cameo.
A 25 Aug 1987 DV production chart indicated that principal photography was scheduled to begin on 13 Sep 1987 in Toronto, Canada. The 15 Nov 1987 LAT estimated a $15 million budget.
Filming was completed in late Dec 1987, according to the Sep 1988 issue of AmCin. Rain and cold weather during production reportedly caused complications with the hydraulic and electrical systems of the five robots used to animate “Johnny Five,” which were built at Eric Allard’s All Effects Company studio in North Hollywood, CA. The machines, classified as “Remotely Operated Vehicles,” were constructed from remnants of robots that were damaged during production of the first film, with each function performed by a separate technician: Robert Mills controlled the head, Trish Leeper created facial expressions, Michael Sorensen operated the base, and Gord Robertson used a telemetry suit to mime the upper body movements.
Several contemporary sources, including the 15 May 1988 Orange County Register, referred to the film by the working titles, Short Circuit II and Short Circuit 2: More Input.
Much like the first film, critical reception was mixed. However, the Sep 1988 Box reported that Short Circuit 2 was less successful than its predecessor, earning just $3.8 million from its opening weekend.
Although items in the 22 Oct 1987 and 24 May 1988 DV stated that Tri-Star Pictures anticipated developing a third film in the series, the project never came to fruition.
End credits state: “The Producers Wish to Thank: The Toronto Film Liaison Office; Ontario Film Development Corporation; the Toronto Harbour Commission; the Province of Ontario and the Citizens of Toronto; Labatt’s Brewing Company, Ltd.; Larry Dupree & John Mazerro of Novatel Cellular Phones; Quality Designs Company; McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company; Collins Publishers; Sommerville Car and Truck Rentals, Toronto; Chrysler Corporation of Canada; Mr. Fred Rogers and Family Communications, Inc.”; and, “‘People Weekly’ is a registered trademark of Time, Inc., used with permission.”
Short Circuit II
After moving to the U.S. from his homeland of India, engineer Ben Jahrvi attempts to make a living in the big city peddling miniature toy robots, which he builds in the back of his truck. When one of Ben’s robots rolls through the office of toy buyer Sandy Banatoni, she offers to purchase 1,000 models for a major department store. Although Ben does not have the means to produce the toys in mass quantities, a sleazy con artist named Fred Ritter overhears the conversation and negotiates a deal to serve as Ben’s business partner. Fred obtains money from a loan shark, and leases a vacated warehouse to use as a factory. Meanwhile, two jewel thieves tunneling underneath the building worry that the business will thwart their plans to steal a case of valuable diamonds from the bank across the street. Hoping to drive them away, the criminals don masks and destroy all of Ben’s equipment. Dejected, Ben considers giving up the business until his friends, Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby, send him a package containing the original life-size robot, Number Five, which Ben helped create. Fully sentient, the robot calls itself “Johnny Five” and offers to build the toys for their order. The next morning while Ben closes the deal with Stephanie, Johnny Five sneaks out to explore the city. The naïve robot is amazed by urban life, but addled by most residents’ rude and deceitful natures. Meanwhile, Fred conspires to sell Johnny Five, but the robot resists capture, and continues its efforts to assimilate into human society. Eventually, two police officers find Johnny Five wandering the streets and bring it to the station, where they lock it up ...
After moving to the U.S. from his homeland of India, engineer Ben Jahrvi attempts to make a living in the big city peddling miniature toy robots, which he builds in the back of his truck. When one of Ben’s robots rolls through the office of toy buyer Sandy Banatoni, she offers to purchase 1,000 models for a major department store. Although Ben does not have the means to produce the toys in mass quantities, a sleazy con artist named Fred Ritter overhears the conversation and negotiates a deal to serve as Ben’s business partner. Fred obtains money from a loan shark, and leases a vacated warehouse to use as a factory. Meanwhile, two jewel thieves tunneling underneath the building worry that the business will thwart their plans to steal a case of valuable diamonds from the bank across the street. Hoping to drive them away, the criminals don masks and destroy all of Ben’s equipment. Dejected, Ben considers giving up the business until his friends, Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby, send him a package containing the original life-size robot, Number Five, which Ben helped create. Fully sentient, the robot calls itself “Johnny Five” and offers to build the toys for their order. The next morning while Ben closes the deal with Stephanie, Johnny Five sneaks out to explore the city. The naïve robot is amazed by urban life, but addled by most residents’ rude and deceitful natures. Meanwhile, Fred conspires to sell Johnny Five, but the robot resists capture, and continues its efforts to assimilate into human society. Eventually, two police officers find Johnny Five wandering the streets and bring it to the station, where they lock it up with other stolen property. Learning of Johnny Five’s “arrest,” Ben rushes to the police station and retrieves the robot. Johnny Five explains that being treated like a subhuman machine has caused it to experience painful emotions, such as loneliness. Ben commiserates, sharing his own desire for companionship. Using information obtained from books about human behavior, Johnny Five offers to help Ben pursue a romantic relationship with Sandy Banatoni. Elsewhere, the jewel thieves team up with a greedy bank executive named Oscar Baldwin, hoping to use his budding friendship with Johnny Five to regain access to the warehouse tunnel. After kidnapping Ben and Fred, Oscar convinces the robot to finish digging until they reach the vault. When Oscar steals the jewels, however, Johnny Five realizes the trick and attempts to stop him. The thieves retaliate by attacking Johnny Five with an ax, leaving it severely damaged. Ben and Fred escape captivity, but police mistake Ben for the jewel thief and arrest him. As Johnny Five’s systems malfunction, Fred is forced to repair the robot himself. Although still leaking battery fluid, Johnny Five swears vengeance on Oscar, and chases his getaway car to the docks. Using its last remaining power, Johnny Five attacks Oscar and detains him until Ben arrives with police. Johnny Five’s memory drive fails, but Ben uses a defibrillator to revive it. Sometime later, Johnny Five gains national fame and becomes the first legally recognized robotic citizen of the U.S.
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