Still Not Quite Human Explained

Genre:Comedy
Family
Science fiction
Director:Eric Luke
Executive Producer:Noel Resnick
Producer:James Margellos
Starring:Jay Underwood
Alan Thicke
Music:John Debney
Cinematography:Ron Orieux
Editor:David Berlatsky
Network:Disney Channel
Runtime:84 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Still Not Quite Human is a 1992 American science fiction comedy television film written and directed by Eric Luke and starring Jay Underwood and Alan Thicke. It is the third and final film in a series based on the Not Quite Human novels by Seth McEvoy. The story,[1] [2] which has a darker tone than the previous films, features the human-looking android, Chip, embarking on a mission to rescue his father, who has been kidnapped by a ruthless tycoon to acquire his knowledge of android technology. Robyn Lively does not reprise her role as Becky, but is mentioned briefly.

Plot

Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) goes to a robotics convention with Chip and an inferior model to test whether or not the world is ready for the idea of living with androids as he does with Chip. When his other android fails, Jonas becomes the subject of ridicule and nearly reveals Chip's status in order to save face, but stops himself, choosing to accept the loss of credibility over the loss of the trust Chip has placed in him. However, Jonas is kidnapped by hired goons of Dr. Frederick Berrigon (Christopher Neame), and replaced by a look-alike android. His android son, Chip (Jay Underwood), notices the swap and manages to reprogram the impostor into an ally. Since he is like an additional Jonas, Chip names him Bonus (Alan Thicke in a dual role).

Chip enlists the aid of a small-time pickpocket, Kyle (Adam Philipson), whom he has just befriended, to help him rescue his father. Bonus is able to lead them to the mansion where Dr. Carson is being held, but tight security prevents them from sneaking in successfully. Chip meets up with Kate Morgan (Rosa Nevin), who is a policewoman. Officer Morgan has been after Kyle's pickpocketing and illicit watch sales for some time, but agrees to not press charges if he helps Chip rescue Jonas. She devises a plan to assume the personas of wealthy investors in order to gain willful entry to Dr. Berrigon's estate, seeking guidance from her rich Aunt Mildred (Betsy Palmer) to prepare them.

Their ploy gets them inside, but they are soon found snooping, so Kate, Kyle and Bonus keep the guards occupied while Chip finds his father. Just before he breaks into the room where his father is being held, Chip learns that Berrigon was trying to extract Dr. Carson's knowledge to aid in building a war machine android. A moment later, Chip is confronted by a working prototype and is forced to fight it, with Berrigon watching from a distance. Chip has to avoid its laserfire, initially, but he manages to smash the laser with a projectile. The battle becomes a contest of speed and raw strength, with Chip being knocked to the ground and nearly struck in the chest with the end of a metal rod. Chip scrambles up, sets a compressed hydrogen canister on a cart and smashes the valve off, causing it to speed toward the other android and smash it against a group of canisters, which explode.

Berrigon, having witnessed Chip's victory, realizes that he must be Dr. Carson's android, but Chip flings him into a mud pond. When several policemen follow Kate to make the arrest, a disheveled and frantic Berrigon yells for them to arrest Chip on account of him being an android; unconvinced, they haul him away. Kate gets a promotion to "petty theft" promising to turn Kyle into an honest man. Aunt Mildred who is attracted to Bonus, starting a relationship with him. Chip and Jonas, who reflects on why he made Chip in the first place, gratefully head home.

Cast

Notes and References

  1. News: King. Susan. May 31, 1992. Disney's Comic Film About an Android Has a Very Human Touch. Los Angeles Times.
  2. News: Scott. Tony. May 29, 1992. Magical World of Disney Still Not Quite Human. Variety.