Entertainment: Johnny 5 is Twenty Five!

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release of the 80s cinema gem, Short Circuit and Johnny 5! It was on May 9, 1986 that Number 5 first made us laugh and cheer on the big screen. We learned to say crazy things like, "Your Mama was a snowblower!," "Hello, bozo!," and "Nice software!" Hugely popular, sequel talks would begin a mere 2 weeks after the release of the first flick. By 1987, Johnny 5 was a household name. He was as recognized as Bugs Bunny. Short Circuit, was the #1 home video for the year. Thanks for all the laughs, Johnny. And, congrats to all those involved in the film. Number Five is still alive!

For a quick recap, let's take a look at the Wikipedia plot synopsis, shall we? The story revolves around a sentient robot labeled "SAINT Number 5", the fifth of a series of prototype robots built for the US military during the Cold War. While a demonstration takes place on the grounds of the developer's company, Nova Laboratories in Damon, Washington, a lightning storm forces an end to the presentation, while a power surge hits Number 5 while it is recharging and alters its program, causing a malfunction, and Number 5 is alive, dammit.

Johnny 5 is alive, bitch!

Fast forward twenty five years, and fans are just as in love with Johnny as they were when he first entered our lives. To commemorate the festivities, the studio announced the release of both films on Blu Ray to coincide with the anniversary. Although spectacular to watch, these discs don't really come with a lot of extra features that we've become accustomed to. Instead, we're treated to a relaxed audio commentary by John Badham and writers S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, on-set interviews with cast and crew (including some sharp observations by futurist Syd Mead, who designed the robot), a short "making of" featurette, behind-the-scenes footage, production stills and designs, and a trailer. Well, if that's all we get, that's all we get. I suppose some might argue that there were no such things as DVDs, Blu Rays and Special Features to worry about back in the 80s, so why would they shoot that? To this I say, Damn you, hateful Curr!

Even more questionable than the supreme lack of extras to be found on the Blu Ray discs is the word of a remake, allegedly due out sometime this year. I loved the first movie. I loved the second one, too. I just don't think we need to see a remake of it. According to sources online, there is no intent to change Johnny, but it's unlikely Mr. Guttenberg will be on hand to make an appearance. The only information that IMDB has to offer is that it's in production, with no cast listings, but the original creators are involved somehow. So, it can't be all bad, can it?

So on this day, I say to you, forget the lack of extra features on the Blu Rays and DVDs, and especially forget about the potential ruining of our beloved Johnny 5, and go and watch the awesomeness that is Short Circuit and bask in it's glory.