Kevin Lazzari| Special to the Fitzhugh
In 1973 Michael Crichton wrote and directed a film called Westworld.
The premise of the movie was tourists could go to a futuristic world with a western theme. The twist was the hosts of the world were robots that looked like the tourists on vacation.
I remember watching the movie and thinking Yul Brynner does not look like a robot but more like a real cowboy. The film was well received and Futureworld was produced in 1976 as a follow up to the original movie.
Fast forward to 2016 and J.J. Abrams somehow convinced Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan to create a television series based on the original Westworld concept. When I first heard Westworld was going to be a series I thought it would never materialize. How could the writers make a show that would entertain an audience based on robots and the Wild West? Firefly had done the sci-fi western and the Blade Runner concept had been ripped off so many times I lost track. What could the writers possibly do to make their TV show a success?
After viewing season one I am now a loyal fan because the creators made a show that is fantastic. You have to admit anytime Sir Anthony Hopkins is in a project it is nothing but successful. I found the storylines complex and the back and forth timelines confusing at first. I quickly realized the technique was to get the viewer actively involved in the concept of, ‘Can robots develop a consciousness?’ If you want to know the answer you will have to watch the show.
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the Fitzhugh.
Westworld Season 1 (2016) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital download.
