Review of Westworld (1973) by Ross B — 22 May 2013

Michael Crichton writes and directs this sci-fi pseudo western that is a precursor in some ways to the "fear the machines" films that come after it. Businessmen pals Blane (James Brolin) and Martin (Richard Benjamin) take a trip to "Westworld" a kind of Disneyland for adults.

Westworld is actually one of three different parks run by the same company, which also includes Medieval World and Roman World. The parks are filled with sentient robots that are programmed to gives the user an authentic feel for the period while at the same time maintain complete safety.

But when the robots start to malfunction, including a deadly gunslinger robot (Yul Brynner), the vacation becomes deadly for the tourists. The film is a great example of 1970s sci-fi and again is a precursor in some ways to classics like The Terminator and The Matrix.

The film is fun to watch at points and Brynner is absolutely chilling as the gunslinger in black who seems to have a vendetta against Blane and Martin. The issue is that it seems to only scratch the surface of what it could have delved into about the rich building machines to fulfill their needs and what happens when the machines suddenly start adapting.

It still though moves at a quick pace and is fun to watch nonetheless.