Westworld 1973 by AverageMansReviews

Westworld 1973 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/robotic showing/shooting/stabbing/cutting/melting/disfigurement/animal cruelty/medical

Welcome to Delos where all your adult desires are at your fingertips: we have three Worlds/Resorts for you to pick from West World [the American old West frontier life of the 1880s: where we will be spending the vast majority of this film] with John Blane [James Brolin:] a returning guest to Westworld and this time he is bringing his friend Peter Martin [Richard Benjamin:] which this is the first time and possibly getting divorced or possibly dyed in the real world, there is only a very tiny bits to suggest there is something there, but there is something. Whilst they are here they have issues with Gunslinger [Yul Brynner:] a highly technical robot which is malfunctioning eventually either takes care or stalks these two guests. The other World's/Resorts are Medieval World [in the 13th Century Europe:] it is all about chivalry and romance and finally we have Roman World: at the height of the Roman Empire, Pompeii [it doesn't say this in the film but on a little bit of research this would be C.E. 117] and all of this can be yours for $1000 per day. Delos are increasingly aware that there machines are malfunctioning as Chief Supervisor [Alan Oppenheimer] and other high-ranking personnel try to keep this under wraps and then fix it after these latest visitors have left.

On a quick side note yes I had to find a way to put Alan Oppenheimer in this review based on legendary voice performer alongside performing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 1983-1985: Skeletor, Mer-Man, Man-At-Arms, Cringer/Battle Cat and Roboto including anything to do with this universe be it TV film The Secret of the Sword 1985: Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Cringer/Battle Cat, Bald Rebel, Chef Alan or/and He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special 1985: Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Zipper or/and the spin-off She-Ra: Princess of Power 1985-1987: Skeletor, Cringer/Battle Cat, Man-At-Arms including the newest versions Masters of the Universe: Revelation 2021: Moss-Man. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2022: King Grayskull and even Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers: He-Man, Skeletor. Away from this franchise he has also worked on The Transformers 1985-1986: Beachcomber, Breakdown, Seaspray, Warpath. BraveStarr 1987-1988: Handlebar, Outlaw Scuzz, Stampede and BraveStarr: The Movie 1988: Handlebar, Outlaw Scuzz, Stampede and my final pick is The NeverEnding Story 1984: Falkor, Gmork, Rockbiter. But he has truly had a massive career be it a legendary voice performer alongside his performing be it on the big screen or the small one [ yes I know I have chosen his voice work, but if I didn't mention the ones I have I know at some point in the future the hard-core 1980s community will have serious words with me, so I have chosen a male franchise, female franchise and an Native American franchise for balance.]

The frame work and pacing of this 85 minutes film is terrible, yes I know this film is from the 1970s, I am not expecting anything remotely modern that isn't the problem. But what is the problem is the fact that for 45 minutes of this film there isn't much happening, let me be a little bit more specific there may be little bits happening here and there. Now if it was just a slow motion effects in the action sequences, I could happily put up with them. Because as I have already referenced it was a different time back then, but to put in the mix this is this goofy music which takes the seriousness out of this film, if my memory is correct the background music and the slow motion effects [used as a final blow indicator is separate;] but as two working together elements; they quickly tiresome.

The remaining roughly 40 minutes; well there is no nice way to say this but as a storyline you may as well begin the film here. Because things noticeably become more and more intense with these robots beginning to decline or/and fight back with deadly results in the action; such as in Medieval World Medieval Knight [Norman Bartold] vs. the Black Knight in one-on-one combat with accessories that come from obviously the Medieval times and so on and so forth.

The biggest asset to this title by absolutely miles upon miles upon miles is the art on every single level; they really pulled out all the stops to bring what Delos can offer its visitors; the landscapes, the wardrobe and everything else is really of the most highest detail and on the flip side not forgetting to bring the science-fiction perspective such as the so many computers, behind-the-scenes, robots maintenance, including seen from Gunslinger's perspective and the all-round science-fiction presentation of this film the highest praise as well, they really do transport their visitors from our world into theirs, yes even though some of you may call this outdated by today's standards. But if you do it properly for some examples the entire first trilogy of Star Wars, what I like to call the golden age or golden trilogy, because they can't be touched:  Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope 1977, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and just as a separate film Logan's Run 1976, I have seen this film once and that was a very long time ago, but what I do remember of it is the artistic level is worthy of being placed alongside the golden trilogy and this film I am reviewing and finally the character developments and the performances are all solidly good on both counts.

This film receives: 5/10, this film is mixed; yes based on the artistic vision of this project I have decided to award another mark, but full disclosure this is the first time I have ever watched this film and I know there is a sequel Futureworld 1976 where the poster actually admits where Westworld stops Futureworld begins. As of this content being first dictated I haven't seen this sequel yet, but I think this is a fair statement to finish on. This sequel has got to do a lot of the heavy lifting for both of these films now, because being fair and balanced as I am sitting here now with the knowledge I have right now, this or I hope and it looks like this film was designed to do the groundwork for the sequel to work off and just slot together and be a non-stop science-fiction film, I should just state I am not going in with high expectations, but hopefully for them to use the foundation they have already built from this film and I chose a general outlay for this review/content, because it was the easiest one I could pick from instead of breaking it down into my usual outlay and finally this should be no surprise but this film has 4 Nominees accredited to its name Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA 1975 Golden Scroll Best Science Fiction Film, Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival 1974 Grand Prize Michael Crichton, Hugo Awards 1974 Hugo Best Dramatic Presentation Michael Crichton (director, written by) and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America 1974 Nebula Award Best Dramatic Presentation Michael Crichton.