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January 24, 2005
Westworld (1973)
Apparently, tonight was James Brolin night, as I noticed after renting this and The Amityville Horror that both contained the firm-jawed Christian Bale look-alike.
Westworld was a disappointment, though it's pretty clear how writer/director Michael Crichton eventually picked up the pieces for Jurassic Park. The story is about a series of three resorts in the middle of nowhere that recreate various historical periods using robots as actors. Three, to be specific: a cowboy world, a midieval world, and a roman world. Everything goes in the world: murder, sex, food, etc. At a thousand bucks a day, its considered the ultimate fantasy vacation.
If you've seen The Simpsons episode where they go to Itchy & Scratchy Land, and the robots all turn evil, you've pretty much already seen this movie. In fact, The Simpsons did it better, funnier, more quickly, and had a better ending. The story here focuses on two vacationers, mustacheoed Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) and experienced gun slinger John Blain (James Brolin) who talks Peter Martin through the ropes.
It's a neat premise, but the film mainly falls flat after the initial excitement dies away. At first, Peter Martin's enthusiasm is infectious as he takes in his share of gun duels, barroom fights, and prostitute sex. Then, the story is left to take over and it pretty much generates countless upon countless unanswered questions that all indicate the three worlds were not particularly well thought out. Just a smattering: So the world isn't open at night, when the scientists go out and round up the bodies? If they're so keen on no guests getting hurt, what happens when two guests start fighting each other in a barroom brawl? How can they possibily focus on so many different storylines at once? When the scientists cut the power, is it really believable that 1) they can't get the electric doors open and 2) die of asphyxiation? What happened to all the robots after the initial killing spree? I mean, it seems to only be unstoppable Robot Gunslinger played by Yul Bynner. And why, when Martin discovers the underground tunnel system that connects the villages, aren't there any exits? I mean the scientists have to come to work each day, right? Is there really just a single control room in the entire place?
And so it all falls apart. A slight backstory about Martin's divorce is mentioned, but it's pretty much useless. Everyone and everything is completely forgotten until it's just a cat and mouse chase between Martin and the Robot, and then the film ends abruptly. Potential premise, terrible execution.
2.5 stars / 4 stars
Posted by nick at January 24, 2005 07:41 PM