Plot: What’s it about?
Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) needs a little rest and relaxation to the ultimate theme-park, where all fantasies can come true, and no danger is involved. OUt of the four chooseable worlds, Martin picks Westworld, where you can live the rugged frontier life, included gun-fights and bar-room brawls. The inhabitants of Westworld are robots, highly advanced ones, programmed to always let the human win. The guns inside WW are also high-tech, they won’t fire when aimed at a human. After an encounter with a steely-eyed gun-slinger (Hauntingly portrayed by Yul Brynner), the two men start to think maybe there is more than meets the eye here. A programming glitch allows the robots to kill and maim the guests, and Brynner is looking for revenge on Martin and his buddy. As Peter’s friend finds out, even the snakes in Westworld can be down-right dangerous!
Classic Hollywood fantasy, written and directed by Michael Crichton, of Jurrasic Park fame, duh. This is a very cool example of man’s wish to create a perfect fantasy world, then having it crash down, squashing everything underneath it. Very typical of Crichton, and pretty gosh-darn entertaining as well. The movie’s sets are tremendous, and really set the mood for a faux-Old West quite nicely. Down to the dirty glasses and dirt streets, this world was carefully constructed with just enough fakeness to remind us the Westworld is a fantasy, even within the film. The inhabitants taunt the robots, which gives us a few good laughs. The movie really makes the whole “man vs. machine” thing kick into high gear.
Yul Brynner is unbelievable in this movie, throwing our memories back to The Magnificent Seven, which is a classic, if not the best western of all time. This connection makes it seem like a Old West Hall Of Fame, as if we should be looking for Billy The Kid, Wyatt Earp, or John Wayne in there somewhere. The movie is science fiction, so don’t expect it to be plot-holeless or anything. But what the film lacks in depth, it more than makes up for with a great concept and terrific acting. It’s worth a look just to see Brynner, he is THE MAN in this picture! So, saddle up, round up the doggies, and venture into Westworld. YeeHaw!
Video: How does it look?
Pretty sweet on this DVD, and that’s a relief for Westworld fans, as older VHS copies bit ass big time. Reduced grain, and great colors boost this film’s ratings here.
Audio: How does it sound?
The gun-shot ring will through your house, making you feel as if old Yul was plugging away at you in person. Great effects, and fantastic diagloue volume put this disc up there in the audio department.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Theatrical Trailer. Thanks alot, MGM…grumble…
