Robots makeovers -- 'Short Circuit' to 'Terminator'

Image 1 of 3

<i>By Jevon Phillips and Patrick Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers</i><br>
<br>
It turns out Johnny 5 is indeed alive.<br>
<br>
The announcement in 2008 that Harvey and Bob Weinstein's Dimension Films would be remaking the 1986 family comedy about a lovable wisecracking robot given a personality by a bolt of lightning is welcome news for vintage robots fans.<br>
<br>
Already this decade they've seen some of their favorite old-time robots given sparkly new sheens: KITT the car, the dreaded Cylons and Optimus Prime. But what sort of improvements have these recent robot revisions brought?

By Jevon Phillips and Patrick Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

It turns out Johnny 5 is indeed alive.

The announcement in 2008 that Harvey and Bob Weinstein's Dimension Films would be remaking the 1986 family comedy about a lovable wisecracking robot given a personality by a bolt of lightning is welcome news for vintage robots fans.

Already this decade they've seen some of their favorite old-time robots given sparkly new sheens: KITT the car, the dreaded Cylons and Optimus Prime. But what sort of improvements have these recent robot revisions brought?