Robot tackles urban life

Press, 19 May 1989, Page 23

Robot tackles urban life

By

DAVID CLARKSON

Johnny Five, the«runaway defence robot from “Short Circuit,” takes on all kinds of tough guy roles in the sequel, released on video by First Release Home Entertainment

“A life form’s gotta do what a life form’s gotta do,” he intones, as he kits himself up as Robocop, adding, “Do you feel lucky, punk?” This time, the $ll million robot has traded Montana for and has to deal with all man-

ner of urban problems. He struggles with rejection, gets himself arrested, runs foul of some thugs and gets badly beaten, and gets ordered out of church by an angry priest. With everybody hustling in one way or another, it is inevitable that the robot will unwittingly become embroiled in some nefarious schemes.

But his more endearing traits remain: his trust of everybody, his ingenuity,j and his relentless pursuit of “input,” or knowledge.

Fisher Stevens repeats his role as the Indian computer whiz who helped create the war robot in the original.

Now he is in the city, trying to make a living selling robot toys, and falling in love with a young woman who is rather mystified by his unusual treatment of the English language. But the star always remains the personable robot. It is amazing just how much expression can be put on to a purely mechanical face.