Review of Futureworld (1976) by Sarah G — 02 Apr 2010

In this sequel to Westworld, Blythe Danner and Petter Fonda are eagle-eyed reporters invited to the notorious vacation resort Delos (the one where 'nothing can possibly go wrong'), where the robot actors went crazy and wasted all of the guests Now everything is under control, perhaps too much so.

Overall, not bad for a science fiction film although Futureworld is no Silent Running or 2001, and the movie lacks the acting talent of its predecessor (sexy James Brolin was blown away in the first.) The script took a few shortcuts but offered some memorable scenes such as a veiled rape fantasy with Blythe Danner being pursued by a robotic Yul Brynner (kinky), and Fonda and Danner combating doubles of themselves.

Danner and Fonda investigate the death of a Delos tipster and try to determine why so many world leaders are flocking to take a simulated trip to Mars and have robot sex. Cute, fun to watch, and even with the alluded-to rape fantasy, family friendly enough to keep your visiting nephew and niece out of your hair on Saturday morning without the stupid story lines and gimmicky CGI of movies like Avatar. Now streaming on Flixster.