Westworld (1973)
Computer acting crazy and programming humanoid androids to kill people. A clear case : “Terminator “! Or does it not? About a decade before James Cameron’s apocalyptic film series developed by another visionary, the concept of technical sorcerer’s apprentice, whose own creation will be his undoing. Michael Crichton’s “Westworld”, to which he contributed not just the script, but is also directed, long considered a classic of the science fiction genre.
Whether the classic is now hopelessly dusty, or even after many years to convince his plot, you learn in the following, written by human hand guarantees criticism. Or is it a sophisticated computer program behind this review? Who knows, who knows …
On the recreational enjoyment of the following deadly shooting
Sometime in the not too distant future: the futuristic theme park “Delos” affluent customers can live out their wildest fantasies. Whether you win as a noble, invincible knight the favor of the beautiful Queen celebrating extravagant Roman orgies or to form a rough Western town as Sheriff of order : Thanks to sophisticated technology to slip the guests of the park in those roles that they would always fill it before. The entire special about it is to their respective servants adversary, which embodies all of deceptively real-looking and acting androids.
Even the businessman Peter (Richard Benjamin) want to carry out his childhood dream and relax for a few days as the tough Western hero. In tow, he leads his best friend John (with James Brolin), who could use a change after a divorce. First, the holiday will take place in the Western city as hoped : a victorious match against the equally trigger-happy, as wily gunslinger (Yul Brynner), bloodless riot in the saloon as well as extremely liberal young ladies make the hearts of the two friends quickly.
But soon, the situation turns dramatic: A computer virus is changing the programming of the robot so that they murder the guests of the theme parks of hand. Gunslinger also was hit by the fatal system error. After he shot John, it attaches itself to the trail of the fleeing Peter. Relentlessly chases the android the hopelessly defeated people …
The slightly different Disneyland
With the “Westworld” directed selling author Michael Crichton for the first time even a movie and immediately landed a blockbuster of the year. He hit exactly the nerve of the Zeitgeist, which began the post-war enthusiasm of the technology gradually confront ever more skeptical. The problems of environmental degradation had in connection with the massacres of the militarily superior U.S. force in what was then a developing country, Vietnam helped to fuel fears about the future, which was not even in pop culture without consequences. Especially science fiction strip in the coloring outbid fictional dystopias in the darkest colors (such as “… the year 2022 are to survive” or “Roller Ball “).
In “Westworld” served as a template of the famous Michael Crichton’s novel, which was also filmed “Jurassic Park”. In both cases, technological creations out of control and advance a deadly threat to park visitors. It is remarkable for the films in particular the mention of computer viruses. Turned fictional computer in such strips until then more or less out of sheer malice against their builder, sat Crichton destructive viruses as triggers of the disaster. Basically such films thus merely repeating a modern way of warning against blind arrogance and stand in a long literary tradition.
Implausible but exciting
Nevertheless “does West World” at the level of pure entertainment before and after as produced perhaps the desire to emulate the human figures and in an artificial world unrestrained pleasures to pursue, without the slightest fear consequences. Even if computer games are becoming more realistic, they can not replace direct experience.
Admittedly, the Plotlocher are surprisingly large and raise the question of whether this could not have been avoided. For example, it is not a single plausible reason may androids with real (! ) weapons to equip or endow artificial teeth with rattlesnakes, inflict the injuries. And why a well-equipped with infrared sensors can not distinguish human android robots immediately withdraw, like some other inconsistencies of a reasonable answer.
Ultimately, this play, however, given the high entertainment value are not essential. A merit, in particular due to the famous Western movies from Yul Brynner. His account of the almost invincible artificial gunslingers strikingly reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s futuristic version of “Terminator” and unswervingly pursues the emotionless dressed in black robot his deadly aim. Even the scenes from the perspective of the androids were obviously the inspiration for James Cameron’s first big hit films, although the camera resolution is inferior to that of the Gunslingers similarly silent killer robot from the future hopeless.
So perfect, the role of choice in the case of the antagonist turned out : Richard Benjamin as the protagonist is able to convince Peter and hardly raises the question of why the lead is not unlike the more charismatic James Brolin confided.
To be continued … maybe
Not surprisingly drew the success of “West World” continue to be, which started three years later in theaters. Quite surprising was the “Future World – The land of tomorrow” to the quality of the previous movie tie and provided exciting entertainment, as well as original ideas. Yul Brynner for the sequel made by the way the last movie. In 1980, the substance even for a TV series was adapted, but stopped again after only a few consequences.
In the 1990s it had almost come to a remake with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the secret role of the Gunslingers. The fact that “Western World” will probably come sooner than later but the still lucrative Hollywood remake craze victim, can be no doubt. The best ideas of the dream factory provides not just life, but one look at the cinematic past …
