Magical World of Disney Still Not Quite Human

 ((Sun. (31), 7-9 p.m., Disney))

By TONY SCOTT

Filmed in and around Vancouver by Resnick-Margellos Prods. Exec producer, Noel Resnick; producer, James Margellos; director-writer, Eric Luke.
 
Cast: Alan Thicke, Jay Underwood, Betsy Palmer, Christopher Neame, Sheelah Megill, Rosa Nevin, Adam Philipson, Ken Pogue, Robert Metcalfe, Jerry Wasserman, Carol Mann, Stephen E. Miller, Denalda Williams, Drew Rerichelt, Michael Rogers, Frances Flanagan, Bobby L. Stewart, Cavan Cunningham, Gwyneth Harvey, Roberts Thurston, David Hay, Veena Sood.
 

Successor to Disney's vidpix "Not Quite Human" and "Not Quite Human II" doesn't show much originality or inventiveness as it picks on the adventures of android creator Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) and his creation, Chip (Jay Underwood), who has developed human feelings. Unfortunately the humor falls flat , and director-writer Eric Luke ultimately resorts to sloppy slapstick to solve the telefilm's problems.

Jonas, wanting to make a splash in the scientific community without letting anyone know Chip's a robot, takes Chip as his son to a convention; but at the meet, a prototype that Jonas has invented fails, thanks to the machinations of wicked Dr. Barrigan (Christopher Neame).

Barrigan plans to build a robot army; knowing Jonas has the secret to androidism, he kidnaps the scientist to make him talk. To cover his tracks, Barrigan sends a robot Jason to the hotel.

But Chip, onto his fellow android, starts tracking down the real Jason with the help of a two-bit thief (Adam Philipson) and a cop (Rosa Nevin). Bound and determined to rescue Jason, they can't do much to save the telepic.

Chip's development of human reactions while he retains his robot features gets some yocks, but additions such as a wealthy, zany woman (Betsy Palmer) and the androidal Jason wiping out a group of armed guards don't work. Luke abandons logic, but fails to come up with much beyond kiddyville humor.

Thicke is acceptable as both the inventor and the invention, and Underwood is terrif as confused Chip. Neame and Sheelah Megill overplay; Nevin is okay. Philipson, looking lost in the one-dimensional role, tries valiantly.

Production designer Mark Freeborn does little to pump up the look of the vidpic. Tech credits suffice, and John Debney has furnished a witty score.

Camera, Ron Orieux; editor, David Berlatsky; art director, David Willson; sound, Larry Sutton; music, John Debeny; production designer, Mark Freeborn.