If you’ve never seen (or even heard of) the 1973 original, here’s the lowdown. It’s the future and visitors can choose one of three ultra-realistic amusement parks in which to party hearty: Medieval World, Roman World (ancient Rome), and the Old West-themed Westworld. Things go wrong during a visit to Westworld when one of the robots goes rogue.
The film starred Yul Brynner, James Brolin, and Richard Benjamin and was written and directed by a young Michael Crichton. It was nominated for Hugo, Nebula, and Golden Scroll (a.k.a. Saturn) awards, and per Wikipedia, it was also the first feature film to use digital image processing in order to pixellate photography to simulate an android point of view. (If anyone knows different, fill us in!)
The reboot stars James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins, and Jeffrey Wright, and I have to say I’m looking forward to it. Part of Westworld‘s charm was the now-retro, but then-sophisticated, tech production. Hopefully, the remake won’t be so slick that it shows as just another sci-fi show. From the look of the trailer, though, it looks like it could be great.
(Check out the first close-up of Evan Rachel Wood’s character, Delores. Her hair, the lighting, the make-up. Maybe this ’70s baby (ok, ’69) is projecting, but that shot’s got a 1970s vibe I find reassuring. Maybe it’s the tilt of her head and the vacant look that’s conjuring up images of The Stepford Wives. I’m looking forward to this one.) -Erica
Here’s the trailer!
Dark Matters 
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