An entertaining film,equal in standard to the first offering involving the loveable robot Johnny 5.We see him travelling to the big city where he meets up with his creator Ben.Johnny turns into a more streetwise robot throughout the film culminating in a thrilling and tearjerking climax.Also the use of telephone dialing tones to reveal Johnny's location was a surprisingly clever touch.Fun for all the family.No dissasemble Jonny 5 never!

Sure, as a sequel it's outlandish, over the top, and rather kiddified, but SHORT CIRCUIT 2 was one of my favourite films as a kid and it's a movie that more than holds up on viewing as an adult. What's most interesting about this film is Johnny Five's character arc; every - and I mean EVERY - human character in the film either uses him or manipulates him in some way, so watching him discover that inner darkness and self-awareness is quite enthralling.

Inevitably the film is also sentimental and cheesy in places, not to mention dated, but I can forgive such grievances because overall it works. My only problems were that Johnny was too over the top and annoying in places and needed his voice toning down a bit. Other than that, this works very well. Fisher Stevens once again gives a high energy turn but it's Michael McKean who really shines as the street huckster who discovers his heart as the storyline progresses.

The bank robbery storyline is told very well and naturally and there are some fine moments, especially the communication via calculator which I thought was a mildly genius idea. And of course this all leads to a memorable and surprisingly adult climax with one of the most brutal beatings I've ever seen in a movie (adult or otherwise) and a great revenge-fuelled climax. Sterling effects work, a fast pace, involved storyline, and lots of laughs make SHORT CIRCUIT 2 a highlight of the 1980s.

Gremlins, Home Alone, two blockbuster films that benefited from having sequels which were made better by using locations of the Big Apple. Of course, the original leads, Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy have moved on to other things, so comic sidekick Fisher Stevens has been elevated to the lead, and his eccentric characterization of the Indian American robot technician is as irreverent as before. This time, he has Michael McKean as a sidekick, the Times Square sidewalk watch salesman, and Cynthia Gibb as a frustrated buyer. Tim Blaney returns as the voice of Johnny Five. He has a great camaraderie with Stevens, making me wonder how they would have been in a sitcom together.

Johnny Five has rivals in the cuteness department with the samples that Stevens is selling on the street, one of whom gets into a department store and makes a journey through the ladies dressing rooms. Johnny Five comes along and has encounters with typical New York toughs, taking them on his inhabitable style, and eventually along with Stevens, McKean and Gibb some major villains who have sinister plans for him.

The film has the typical delightful saxophone background score, always a treat in establishing the 80's atmosphere. It also becomes a lot more tender in how Johnny Five desperately wants to be liked and considered equal to humans, giving it a bit of a message. The film is probably just a tad too long, but the script is just as good as the first one and the irreverence still making it irresistible. Veteran character actor Jack Weston also appears, but doesn't have much to do. Great '80s New York City street locations are well taken advantage of, and so is the sense of loneliness that short circuit all of us.