DVD Corner

Short Circuit 2 Blu-ray Review

“Short Circuit 2” is not on par with the first film. 

In this sequel to 1986’s “Short Circuit,” the story revolves around former Nova Robotics employee Ben Jahveri who is now making small toy versions of Johnny 5 out of his truck in New York. He falls in with a con artist/hustler Fred who helps him land a toy deal with a toy buyer (Sandy). The two eventually set-up operations at a rundown warehouse across the street from a bank. While they initially struggle to make enough toys for the deal, they get much needed help when Johnny 5 arrives to help them out. Unfortunately, things soon go awry as a trio of thieves working underneath the warehouse are attempting to break into the bank to steal valuable diamonds. On top of that, Fred is looking to make a quick buck by selling Johnny 5 while the robot himself is creating chaos in the big city as he attempts to absorb knowledge and fit in with mankind. As if that weren’t enough, the thieves want to use Johnny 5 to get their job done quicker.

Right off the bat it’s apparent that this Kenneth Johnson directed sequel really misses Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy. Don’t get me wrong, Fisher Stevens is an accomplished actor who is still crushing it to this day, but we can all agree that casting Stevens to portray an Indian man is a cringe worthy racist caricature. Again, Stevens himself gives a charismatic performance, but it’s embarrassing to watch nowadays. Likewise, it’s tough to see Michael McKean here. The actor has been in so many comedy classics and this most certainly is not one worthy of his talents.

“Short Circuit” may have worked because of the cast and the personable pop-culture quoting robot Johnny 5, but this cheeseball 80’s sequel just runs the premise into the ground. The big city hijinks with Johnny 5 are neither funny nor cute and writers Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson don’t seem to know what to do with him in a NY setting. It could have been a fun fish out of water story, but as is it feels like the writers are cramming in other elements with a heist story, Johnny 5 trying to find himself, and a romance with Ben and Sandy. The comedy doesn’t do the movie any favors either with the head shakingly bad music morse code sequence and the glorified Radio Shack ads.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? Expect an impressively sharp hi-def transfer.

Audio Track: DTS-HD MA Stereo. How does it sound? A satisfactory Stereo track.

Extras:
* Commentary by director Kenneth Johnson.
* Behind-the-scenes still gallery.
* 27 minutes of Johnny 5 and cast rehearsal videos.
* Storyboard sequences with Kenneth Johnson commentary
* “Actor Profile: Fisher Stevens”- An archival interview with the actor who talks about the character.
* “Nuts And Bolts: Writing Short Circuit 2”- Writer interviews.
* “Here’s Johnny Five: Making Short Circuit 2” featurette.

November 11, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 80's Movie, Comedy, Fisher Stevens, Johnny 5, Robot, Short Circuit, Short Circuit 2 Blu-ray Review