Struck by lightning, an endearing little robot known only as "Number 5" escapes from an experimental electronics firm. Technician Steve Guttenberg and his indecipherable East Indian assistant Fisher Stevens set out to locate Number 5 before the military can go through with its plans to destroy the robot. Number 5 takes refuge with loopy Ally Sheedy, who is convinced that the mechanical man is an extraterrestrial. Hoping to teach the "alien" all about Earth, Ally fills Number 5's memory banks with reams of pop culture--and then the real fun begins. Short Circuit is so carefully contrived to push the right audience buttons that one is made to feel ungrateful if one doesn't laugh. This E.T. wannabe was popular enough to warrant a 1988 sequel, titled (brace yourself!) Short Circuit II.