Short Circuit

After resigning from Nova Robotics, Ben Jahrvi starts Titanic Toy Corporation and hand-builds sophisticated toy robots in the back of his truck. He spends two days peddling his creations on street corners in a bustling U.S. metropolis. This venture sets the stage for the larger deal that will draw him into a high-stakes world of bargaining and crime.

One toy robot wanders from Ben’s street stand into the office of Sandy Banatoni, an assistant buyer for Simpsons' toy department. Impressed by the potential, Sandy orders 1,000 units, promising a major boost for Ben’s fledgling company. Fred Ritter overhears the deal and begins scheming to broker the transaction, setting his own terms in motion.

Fred smooth-talks his way into the deal and becomes Ben’s business partner. He secures funding from a loan shark to cover production costs and keep the order on track. With money in, they hire workers and move into a derelict warehouse that will become their makeshift workshop.

Unbeknownst to Ben and Fred, Saunders and Jones are criminals using the bank across the street as their cover. They assault the young outfit and destroy equipment, driving the new workers to flee and halting production. The warehouse becomes a cover for the thieves' plan to hit the Vanderveer Collection.

Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby send Johnny 5, a sentient robot, to help Ben. Johnny fends off Saunders and Jones and sets up self-defense measures in the workshop. He begins mass-producing the toys to meet Sandy's deadline but soon leaves to explore the city, making friends and foes along the way.

During his wanderings, Johnny befriends Oscar Baldwin, a bank employee across the street who becomes entangled in the looming heist. Oscar is revealed as the mastermind behind the plan, using Saunders and Jones to execute the theft. The alliance hints at a deeper betrayal as Vanderveer Collection looms closer.

Fred learns Johnny is valued at 11 million dollars and tries to broker a sale. Johnny escapes into the city, is taken into police custody, and is placed in the stolen goods warehouse, where Ben claims him. Ben sees Johnny as essential to winning Sandy back and securing their business future.

As Vanderveer's collection countdown tightens, Oscar's plan accelerates. Saunders and Jones lock Ben and Fred in the freezer of a Chinese restaurant, while Johnny is guided to finish the tunnel leading to the vault. Ben and Fred enlist Sandy's help, using a playful sequence of song-based clues to locate their position and effect a rescue.

Johnny is severely damaged by Saunders and Jones under Oscar’s orders, stalling the rescue and tipping the balance against Ben and Fred. Back at the warehouse, Ben and Sandy are arrested as suspects in the break-in, while Fred escapes and searches for Johnny. Fred later informs Johnny of Ben’s arrest, setting the stage for their counterattack.

Fred breaks into Radio Shack to repair Johnny under Johnny's guidance, but progress is partial. Ben and Sandy are cleared of charges, and the police agree to help locate Johnny. Johnny resolves to seek vengeance and begins tracking Oscar with Fred's help.

Johnny and Fred track down Oscar and his accomplices. Saunders and Jones are captured by Fred and Johnny and arrested, while Oscar attempts to flee by boat. A tense chase culminates in Oscar's capture and police intervention.

Johnny is repaired and becomes a celebrity, and Ben, Fred, and Sandy launch a new company called Input Inc., with Johnny as its mascot. The trio takes the Oath of Allegiance to become United States citizens, and Johnny proclaims I feel alive during the ceremony.