Coming a couple years after its predecessor "Westworld", the rebooted sequel "Futureworld" is a grade up with a better budget and larger scale production that's just as inventive, if not as clunky as the original. Still I prefer the first a film a little more, as it seemed a bit more enjoyable in its escapism and idea but this one remains a diverting fantasy. The difference here is that the concept is virtually the same, but the angle focuses basically on the things going on behind the scenes at the Delos Corporation, than that of the experiences of their themed vacations. Newspaper reporter Chuck Browning and TV presenter Tracy Ballard, along with some other important guests are invited by the Delos' corporation to attend their re-opening of their theme parks, which is larger and better run to hopefully rid the air of the disaster that occurred years ago at Westworld. However Chuck questions what's really going on and decides to nose around digging up anything that doesn't seem quite right.
Quite a solid, if mechanical follow up, which has a committed cast (Peter Fonda, Blyth Danner, Arthur Hill, Stuart Margolin and a glassy John Ryan in a villain role) and very well executed special effects and implemented set-designs. The story isn't as gimmicky and less than casual, by intertwining between mystery, sci-fi and thriller elements with a strong satirical, if paranoid vibe building upon its suspenseful groundwork. Surprisingly it holds a dark edge, as there's more lurking underneath, but the script can take time out for some agreeable wit. Too bad I think that the ending is quite unfulfilled. When you see Yul Brynner's name tagged to the project, you might just be disappointed as the gunslinger appears in one sequence involving quite an odd dream inclusion which in the end is rather pointless, but a neat credit for the original film. Richard T. Heffron's direction is tidy with his cruise-like pacing and interesting visuals to match. While Fred Karlin's grandiose music score simply soars.
Quite a solid, if mechanical follow up, which has a committed cast (Peter Fonda, Blyth Danner, Arthur Hill, Stuart Margolin and a glassy John Ryan in a villain role) and very well executed special effects and implemented set-designs. The story isn't as gimmicky and less than casual, by intertwining between mystery, sci-fi and thriller elements with a strong satirical, if paranoid vibe building upon its suspenseful groundwork. Surprisingly it holds a dark edge, as there's more lurking underneath, but the script can take time out for some agreeable wit. Too bad I think that the ending is quite unfulfilled. When you see Yul Brynner's name tagged to the project, you might just be disappointed as the gunslinger appears in one sequence involving quite an odd dream inclusion which in the end is rather pointless, but a neat credit for the original film. Richard T. Heffron's direction is tidy with his cruise-like pacing and interesting visuals to match. While Fred Karlin's grandiose music score simply soars.