Review of Westworld (1973) by Hardy H — 03 Nov 2014

Acclaimed for being an intense and original science fiction thriller, Westworld sounded like an interesting mix of genres.

Westworld has a very high concept premise to it. It has an intelligent thriller story which paves the way for exploration of Western, Medieval and Roman story elements in the context of a science fiction setting. The slow pace of the feature means that it takes its time to really get good, but along the way it presents a lot of strong imagery and interesting science fiction concepts to keep the viewers engaged. It is a simple film which uses its concept well without becoming obsessed with the theoretical elements of it, and it never succumbs to being a cheesy science fiction feature. I'll admit that the story itself is not explained in terms of all the complications relating to the androids in the story going haywire and certain elements of it are left rather simplified, but this means that Westworld can appeal to a wider market and not just the techno-geniuses who are watching the film. In the right sense, Westworld presents a complicated setting but manages to maintain a simple story which means that it is easy to take in and understand. Westworld doesn't have western themes, it has a western setting and science fiction themes which makes it interesting, such as how it depicts humanity as relying too much on machinery for their own personal pleasure to the extent that it becomes their own dowfall. This is a theme commonly explored in science fiction films, but never in westerns. But all and all, the simple fact is that it is an intelligent and thrilling film.

I liked Westworld because it incorporated in an interesting idea about creating a fictional reality out of technology in the future. It is an interesting science fiction and western hybrid which works as a legitimate thriller at the same time. It features very strong directorial work from Michael Crichton who gives it the precise edge and style that it needs. For his directional debut, it is a very fine piece which is an easily memorable film.

The atmosphere in Westworld is brilliant. Once things go haywire, it is very intense. There is constantly a threat of death looming over the protagonist as The Gunslinger approaches, and Michael Crichton's atmosphere is brilliant. It is very threatening, and it has a sense of isolation as well due to the protagonist being trapped in a dead and artificial world on the run from a killer android.

Despite having a very low budget, Westworld is able to go a very long way and establish a very genuine science fiction feel. A lot of the setting comes from how it is explained and the genuine implications of it all, and through small elements of production design, Westworld maintains a setting which feels easily legitimate. The scenery of the film is great and the costume designs help to easily establish a sense of the different worlds depicted in the amusement park, and it is all captured with large scale cinematography techniques and edited nicely which. Everything looks good and establishes a truly intense feeling which it has been able to maintain in the 41 years since the film was released. It has aged very well, and it works as a strong science fiction film with minimal use of visual effects and a good visual treat which is simply easy to watch.

The musical score is very intense. It has a western feel to it during the western scenes, and during the intense moments of the film it is very powerful. It ranges between subtle as the atmosphere builds to more heavy as things heat up, and it is always used well. Westworld has a strong auditory platform thanks to both the musical score and the sound effects.

And the cast of Westworld pull through and do their part as well.

Yul Brynner is a perfect casting decision for the role of the antagonist Gunslinger. Considering Yul Brynner's legacy as cowboy Chris Larabee Adams in The Magnificent Seven among other western films, he fits the profile of The Gunslinger very easily in Westworld. When he tackles the role, he does it with an excellent level of subtlety which is raw and swift. He has the cold stare of death in his eyes which only certain actors can achieve, one which is almost myopic. The cold stare of death in his eyes as he marches through the settings in Westworld is incredibly threatening, and it matches his confident cowboy status very easily which makes him an immensely physically threatening antagonist. His performance is simply a fearless one which is bereft of any humanity without being a hollow shell, and he marches through the world with a sense that he genuinely wants to kill Peter Martin and little else to him. Yul Brynner plays out the Gunslinger in Westworld without ever resorting to playing robotic character stereotypes, and his role is a truly memorable and freaky one.

Richard Benjamin is ok. Although he doesn't transition too well as an actor when his character Peter Martin is forcefully turned into an actual cowboy on the run from a gunslinger, he consistently stands confident in the part. He grasps his weapon like a true cowboy the entire time, and he reacts well to the threatening atmosphere around him as the story develops. His character is a simple hero archetype and there is not too much he can do with it, but his physical involvement in the role is firm and makes the part good enough, so he succeeds in the role.

Josh Brolin also makes a likable character out of his role due to his natural charm as an actor. His confident demeanour is likable and his chemistry with Richard Benjamin is easygoing. Him and Richard Benjamin make a likable duo in Westworld partially because of the contrast between Peter Martin's reluctance at the activities in the amusement park and John Blane's general confidence in everything.

So while Westworld is a slowly paced film, it is an original science fiction film with strong western themes, a subtle but powerful performance from Yul Brynner and a surprising level of intensity in its atmosphere.