Short Circuits

After leaving Nova Robotics, Ben Jahrvi starts Titanic Toy Corporation and hand-builds sophisticated toy robots. He hawks them on street corners in a U.S. metropolis for two days to prove his designs can sell. This marks the birth of his new, independent venture.

A stray Ben robot wanders from his street stand into Sandy Banatoni's office; Sandy, an assistant buyer for Simpsons' toy department, recognizes the opportunity. She orders 1,000 units to fulfill her department's needs. This creates the first major demand for Ben's new company.

Fred Ritter, a smooth-talking con artist, learns of the large order and moves to broker the deal between Ben and Sandy. He becomes Ben's business partner and money-man, arranging financing from a loan shark. The partnership begins to shift the course of Ben's venture.

Ben and Fred hire workers and move into a derelict warehouse that secretly houses thieves tunneling into a bank across the street to steal the Vanderveer Collection. The setup puts Ben's operation at risk from the criminals next door. The stage is set for a collision between tech and crime.

Saunders and Jones attack the warehouse, destroying equipment and scattering workers. Johnny 5, Ben's sentient robot, defends the operation with improvised self-defense measures and begins mass-producing the toys to meet the Sandy deadline. He then leaves to explore the city, introducing a new frontier for the story.

While exploring the city, Johnny befriends Oscar Baldwin, who works at the bank across from the warehouse. Their unlikely friendship complicates the looming robbery and adds a personal twist to the heist plot. The city becomes a backdrop to Johnny's growth as a character.

Fred discovers Johnny is worth about $11 million and tries to sell him. Johnny escapes into the city but is captured by the police and placed in the stolen goods warehouse, where Ben eventually claims him. The tension between technology and crime intensifies.

Johnny uses his robotic abilities to help Ben win favor with Sandy and secure their professional relationship. This alliance strengthens the plan to complete the Vanderveer Collection heist safely. Bonds between Ben, Johnny, and Sandy become central to the plot.

Oscar is revealed as the mastermind behind the heist, employing Saunders and Jones under his direction. With time running out, he has them lock Ben and Fred in a freezer and tricks Johnny into finishing the tunnel to the bank vault. Ben and Sandy realize the true motive by following clues in songs Ben learned on his date with Sandy.

The Vanderveer Collection is discovered and Oscar's true intentions exposed. Johnny is severely damaged by Saunders and Jones on Oscar's orders. Ben, Fred, and Sandy return to the warehouse, only to be arrested by the police as suspects in the break-in; Fred slips away and later informs Johnny of Ben's arrest.

Fred attempts to repair Johnny by breaking into Radio Shack and following Johnny's guidance, though success is limited. Ben and Sandy are cleared of charges and the police help locate Johnny. Johnny vows revenge and begins pursuing Oscar.

Johnny and Fred pursue Oscar; Saunders and Jones are captured by Fred and Johnny and arrested. Oscar flees by boat but is captured after Johnny uses a Tarzan-style crane swing. Ben, Fred, and Sandy tend to an exhausted Johnny as his power runs out, and he is revived; the team then launches Input Inc. with Johnny as mascot, and Johnny takes the Oath of Allegiance as a citizen while declaring 'I feel alive!'