Having inadvertantly subscribed to NOW TV for a month I've been cramming in as much Westworld watching as I can late at night when everyone's in bed.
I loved Yul Brynner's original Terminatoresque madbot gunslinger when I was a kid (never seen Futureworld though), so I was sad when I only saw a bit of HBO's epic series first time round. It went pay to view I think and vanished.
This time I'm properly captivated and thoroughly enjoying it.
Oddly, I adore the late Michael Crichton's view of the world, that large-scale man-made networks, in his particular case theme parks, will eventually screw up and break free. The very definition of SNAFU!
I only need to consider BBC News coverage of Vogue's controversial debut use of a female AI supermodel in this month's mag to see how its starts, artificial perfection. But hey, maybe I'm just watching too much Westworld so ignore me!
Anyways, the series is phenomenal and the slow collapse of the park's systems and the growing sentience of the liberated and vengeful cyborgs (is that what they are? Or are they androids?) is riveting. Like a town full of Terminators!
I'm currently at a point where the story arcs of pivotal characters, both robot and human, are coming to a head and intriguing new beginnings beckon.
There's a whiff of a new park round the corner too, Samurai World!
I simply cannot wait!
Do you like Westworld readers? I wonder if there's ever been any toys or collectables?
I love this Andy Warhol's Elvis style art! It's also inspired a Star Wars styled mash up, with Han Solo in the same archetypal pose!
ReplyDeleteSounds ace Looey, I'll have to look that Solo art up.
DeleteWestworld was my first underage movie.
ReplyDeleteMy older brother got me in the cinema, even though I was a year younger than I should have been.
A great sci fi, excellently made.
Never spotted the influence on the Terminator before, but you're spot on.
Yul was the first Arnie !
Ha ha, great memory that Mish and what a cool flick to see too young! Mine was Enter the Dragon! Was the cinema you went to in Shipley?
DeleteI did not get to see this film back in the 1970s, but I certainly remember seeing the ads for it on TV. Yul Brynner with his robot face. I really remember that. I finally got to see it on TV many years later, and now have it on DVD.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yulbot without the face is such an iconic image Paul, which somehow encapsulates Human vision and folly in one. I remember Westworld gave way to Medieval World in the movie, a subject Crichton visited in his novel Timeline I think it was called. Time travellers returning to the real Middle Ages to give it a go! Not a good idea!
Deletethe Brynner film is poles apart from the series, although it is good for its time, the series is excellent. it ties into the original film, using call backs to the original sets. Futureworld was utter pants, though. The HBO series was cancelled after 4 series, but does round out to a satisfying conclusion. Its one of my most favourite series! Bill
ReplyDeleteThe series is hypnotic Bill I agree, a masterpiece. Just when I think I understand the show curveballs and I'm left gawping. I feared it might have been a sci-fi soap like say, La Brea, but WW is rich, multi-layered, multi-timed, thought provoking and above all genuinely exciting. It's so damn well-made too! Hope I get to see all four seasons in my month with NOW.
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