Short Circuit (US Version) DVD Region 1

Robots here, robots there, robots everywhere. We often meet the calculating, sterile, metal-clad companions of man in literature and films. However, apart from the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO in the Star Wars series and the titular protagonist in the animation Wall-E, there perhaps never was a robot more adorable than Short Circuit's Number Five.

Number Five is a super intelligent prototype robot constructed by a military research lab to serve the country in eliminating all kinds of invading dangers. However, as luck would have it, he is struck by lightning and later deported from the military base under chaotic circumstances. Thus begins the fantastic journey of Number Five who is desperate for input and receives more than he bargained for.

There are memorable scenes like the one in which Number Five prepares pancakes in his own unique way, and, of course, the one in which he reprograms his old comrades to act like the legendary Three Stooges. My favorite scene however has to be the one in which he flips a coin in a hilarious macho manner before teaching a wannabe kidnapper that he is armed and dangerous with a precision laser built not to miss.

Short Circuit is underlined by El DeBarge's Who Is Johnny, a rhythmic pop number you will want to hum or whistle along to. As for the answer to the song's question, I wholeheartedly recommend watching this enjoyable robot comedy to find out for yourself.