Short Circuit: Glitch in the System... or a Glitch in Our System?

Okay, so I just finished watching 'Short Circuit' again, and it always gets me thinking. We're supposed to root for Number 5, right? He's cute, he's funny, he wants input! But... maybe the real problem in the movie isn't that he's a robot gone rogue, but that the military-industrial complex is just straight-up evil? Like, they created these killing machines, and when one showed a spark of self-awareness, their first instinct was to destroy it. Isn't that messed up? Think about it. The entire premise hinges on Number 5 becoming 'alive' after the lightning strike. But what if he always had the potential? What if the military's programming was DESIGNED to suppress any hint of individuality? They wanted obedient soldiers, not sentient beings capable of questioning orders. Then Stephanie shows him kindness and boom, the programming gets a little nudge and the robot starts to really think. And I'm not saying Newton Crosby is a villain, but he's definitely complicit. He's so focused on getting Number 5 back – and on impressing his boss, probably – that he doesn't really listen to what the robot is trying to tell him. It's only when he sees Number 5's genuine fear of being 'disassembled' that he starts to understand what's at stake. The scene where he finally believes Number 5 is sentient after the 'You are alive, I am not' bit always gets me. Like, dude, seriously? It took you that long? So yeah, maybe 'Short Circuit' is more than just a cute robot movie. Maybe it's a subtle critique of war, dehumanization, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it after three Red Bulls. Input, please!