''Short Circuit'' is an obvious ''WarGames'' ripoff in which a robot steals every scene from wooden performances by the always-too-eager-to-p lease Steve Guttenberg and the usually likable Ally Sheedy.

This is just another good kids-bad government thriller that attempts to generate some laughs.

One of military scientist Guttenberg`s robots becomes ''alive'' after it is hit by a bolt of lightning, an event which apparently rewires its circuits.

If only another bolt had been able to animate Guttenberg. What is his appeal, except when he is sitting next to Tahnee Welch in ''Cocoon''? To me, he`s just a genial slug with a perpetual grin on his face. But then anyone or anything associated with the successful ''Police Academy'' series amazes me.

As for ''Short Circuit,'' the film quickly disappoints after a cute opening sequence in which we see the army present a new breed of mechanical soldier able to dish out laser shots and withstand any firepower.

But the robot, Number Five, after being jolted, turns predictably into a peace-loving hunk of metal with a soul. It soon is adopted by Sheedy, who conveniently enough runs a shelter for stray and disabled pets. To her, Number Five might as well be a metal puppy.

The film has nowhere to go except to give us a predictable initial confrontation between Guttenberg and Sheedy over military weapons. Then, as fast as you can say ''middle of the movie,'' Sheedy and Guttenberg join forces to save Number Five, which the army now wants to destroy because it has broken ranks.

Now, it`s true that lately we`ve been getting plenty of pro-military films. But the way in which ''Short Circuit'' gives us an army that is so ignorant it would want to destroy a robot that can think for itself is absurd. As for Sheedy, she also has a perpetual grin on her face throughout the film. That`s odd; what is there to laugh at?

`DANGEROUSLY CLOSE`

Remember the phrase, ''socially redeeming value,'' from the obscenity trials of the late `60s and early `70s?

If it could be argued that a porno film had that quality, many courts would let it pass.

Well, the teenage vigilante movie ''Dangerously Close'' is not a skin flick, but it`s a candidate for censorship because it surely does not contain any socially redeeming value.

The film tells the story of a group of rich California high school students who have banded together to police the school in their own heavy-handed manner. They threaten to bust the heads of anyone who isn`t in their social clique, and that includes an unlikely pair of friends--a poor, bright kid who is editor of the student paper and a raunchy punk rocker who has loudspeakers built into the roof of his car.

Populated by a cast consisting mostly of male-model types, ''Dangerously Close'' is repelete with scenes that appear to draw some connection between male-bonding and violence.

But you only have time to think about such thoughts, because you are tipped off early on as to the identity of the film`s principal evil force.

That the editor of the school paper, supposedly the smartest kid in the class, also can`t figure out what`s going on is just another nail in the film`s coffin.

Rating for the needlessly brutal ''Dangerously Close'': No stars.

''SHORT CIRCUIT''

(STAR)

MINI-REVIEW: PULL THE PLUG

Directed by John Badham; written by S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock;

photographed by Nick McLean; edited by Frank Morriss; music by David Shire;

produced by David Foster and Lawrence Turman; a Tri-Star picture at Dearborn, Chestnut and outlying theaters. Rated PG.

THE CAST

Stephanie Speck . . . . . . Ally Sheedy

Newton Crosby . . . . .Steve Guttenberg

Ben Jabituya . . . . . . Fisher Stevens

Howard Marner . . . . .Austin Pendleton

Skroeder . . . . . . . . . .G.W. Bailey