Short Circuit 2 is a 1988 motion picture, sequel to 1986's Short Circuit directed by Kenneth Johnson. It starred Fisher Stevens as Ben Jahveri (his last name is a running gag on the film, mistaken as Jahrvi or something else); Michael McKean as Fred Ritter; Cynthia Gibb as Sandy Banatoni; and Johnny 5 (the main character—a very friendly, self-aware robot), voiced by Tim Blaney.
Ally Sheedy, who played main character Stephanie Speck in the first Short Circuit film, lends her voice to one scene in the sequel.
Plot
Benjamin Jahveri (Fisher Stevens) has moved to New York City where he is selling toy versions of Johnny 5 out on the street. Struggling department store buyer Sandy Banatoni (Cynthia Gibb) sees the toys and works out an order for 1,000 units. Ben gains the help of street hustler Fred Ritter (Michael McKean) for the project, and Fred borrows money from a loan shark to get equipment, temps and a warehouse to build the toys.
Unfortunately, the warehouse is the base of operations for a duo of thieves hired by bank teller Oscar Baldwin (Jack Weston) to tunnel underground to his bank's vault across the street where they hope to steal a set of jewels known as the Vanderveer Collection, worth $37,862,000. The thieves attempt to scare off Ben and Fred, trashing their equipment and causing their temps to flee, making it impossible to meet their deadline.
A large crate arrives from Ben's friends Stephanie and Newton, which contains Johnny 5, who has been sent to help Ben with his business. Johnny can build the toys rapidly, allowing Ben free time to study what he must know to become a U.S. citizen. Considering Johnny's thirst for knowledge, Ben makes Fred swear not to reveal the nature of their location to Johnny, believing (correctly) that the robot would go nuts if he knew he was living in a major metropolis filled with input.
When Fred accidentally lets it slip to Johnny that he is in the city, the robot leaves the warehouse to explore New York, and inadvertently makes friends with Oscar himself.
Fred, having learned from Ben that Johnny is worth over $11 million, tries to sell the robot to a few high-profile businessmen. When Johnny learns that Fred plans to sell him, he escapes and wanders alone through the city. Johnny soon realizes through his interaction with passers-by just how lonely he is, because of his inability to convince anyone that he is alive. Johnny is later found and retrieved by Ben from the NYPD's stolen-goods warehouse. The two have a heart-to-heart conversation, and Johnny encourages Ben to ask out Sandy on a proper date. After an awkward start, Ben and Sandy find a connection.
The thieves, pressed for time to steal the jewels, lock Ben and Fred in the freezer of a Chinese restaurant, while Oscar persuades the overly trusting Johnny to help finish the tunnel leading to the bank. Johnny completes the tunnel, breaks into the safe, and unlocks the safe deposit box that holds the Vanderveer Collection. Johnny finally becomes aware of Oscar's true intentions but, after a brief chase through part of the city, Oscar and his goons severely damage him.
Although Johnny manages to get away from the thieves, he is slowly dying. Ben and Fred also manage to escape from the freezer thanks to Sandy, but when they return to the warehouse, Ben and Sandy are falsely captured by the police for the robbery, while Fred escapes and attempts to find Johnny. After a long, heavy search of the city, Fred manages to find Johnny in an alleyway. Fred is startled by how smashed up Johnny is, and helps patch him up enough to reconnect his main battery and memory, which is enough for Johnny to make the remaining repairs himself.
Despite his injuries, Johnny is determined to bring Oscar and his cronies to justice. After a brief chase, he finds and corners them at a construction zone near the Hudson River. Oscar's gang is captured, but Oscar himself flees by stealing a boat. Johnny makes use of a crane to capture Oscar from the moving boat, who is then arrested and the diamonds are returned. The effort drains Johnny's remaining power reserves, causing Ben to frantically use a defibrillator in an effort to save Johnny. Ben succeeds, and manages to keep him alive long enough to make full repairs on him.
The final scenes show that Johnny has become an overnight celebrity, his face (and tale with the jewel thieves) adorning the front pages of newspapers and magazines everywhere. As a result of this newfound fame, his look-alike toys have become a hot commodity, allowing Sandy, Ben, and Fred to go into business for themselves as a successful corporation known as Input, Inc. The film concludes with Ben's inauguration into U.S. citizenship, which he shares with a newly-restored—and gold plated—Johnny, officially recognized as a living, thinking, citizen with all the associated rights and privileges. Asked how he felt about his new status, Johnny enthusiastically jumps into the air, shouting that he feels "alive!"
Cast
- Tim Blaney as the voice of Johnny 5
- Fisher Stevens as Ben Jahveri
- Michael McKean as Fred Ritter
- Cynthia Gibb as Sandy Banatoni
- Jack Weston as Oscar Baldwin
- Dee McCafferty as Saunders
- David Hemblen as Jones
- Don Lake as Manic Mike
- Damon D'Oliveira as Bones
- Tito Nunez as Zorro
- Jason Kuriloff as Lil Man
- Robert LaSardo as Spooky
- Lili Francks as Officer Mendez
- Wayne Best as Officer O'Malley
- Gerard Parkes as Priest
- Adam Ludwig as Hans de Ruyter
- Rex Hagon as Dartmoor
- Rummy Bishop as News Vendor
- Richard Comar as Mr. Slater
- Tony De Santis as Russian Taxi Driver
- Eric Keenleyside as Simpsons Truck Driver
- Phillip Jarrett as Card Hustler
- Jeremy Ratchford as Bill
- Kurt Reis as Mr. Arnold
- Garry Robbins as Francis
- Ric Sarabia as Toy Robot Builder
- Barry Flatman as Robotic Company C.E.O.
- Jane Schoettle as Robotic Company Executive
- Carlton Watson as Robotic Company Engineer
- Eve Crawford as Federal Judge
- Craig Gardner as Art Lover
- Micki Moore as Art Lover
- Sam Moses as Clothing Store Owner
- Norwich Duff as Paramedic
- Claudette Roche as Secretary
- Frank Adamson as Desk Sergeant
- Chris Barker as Bus Driver
- Peter Shanne as Entourage Leader
- James Killeen as Reporter
- Patrick Greenwood as S.W.A.T. Team Officer
- Ally Sheedy as Stephanie Speck (voice)
Hot Cars, Cold Facts
Hot Cars, Cold Facts, made in 1990, is a short educational film featuring Johnny 5 voiced by Russell Turner. Also starred Gina Revarra as Lisa, John Hugh as Officer Dave and Donald Bishop as Howard. This film short takes place after Short Circuit 2.
After becoming America's first robotic citizen, Johnny 5 is now living a happy life. Soon there are car thefts throughout the neighborhood, including Johnny 5's new truck.
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