Ambitious, R-Rated, 70s Sci-Fi Thriller Sequel Is The Last Dystopian Destination
Written by Robert Scucci | Published
In 1976 Futureworld it’s one of those movies that critics eat alive, and I secretly love it. It’s absolutely insane, and if I had to compare it to anything modern dating myself, it would be 1994. The Simpsons the episode “The Itching and Stinging Place.” In that iconic episode, the animatronic robots attack the axe, which isn’t too far from what happened Futureworld. What is unfortunate? Futureworldhowever, it is a dangerously dangerous film, although there are plenty of opportunities to laugh.
I will not continue Futureworld for not being a comedy when it is clearly billed as a thriller. I just want to point out that a little extra levity baked into the structure might help its acceptance. As it stands, the film currently sits at a critical score of 31 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which sounds a little harsh. There are lots of great pictures Futureworldand I tend to cast it as a vibe episode, but I also understand why its thematic shortcomings kept it from leaving a lasting impression among the wider sci-fi community.
All is not as it seems in Futureworld
It serves as a direct sequel to the highly recommended Westworld (1973), Futureworld takes place two years after the events of its predecessor. After the Westworld theme park disaster, the Delos Corporation is ready to reopen under a new brand, and they’re eager to let the media take a look. Four new parks Spaworld, Medievalworld, Romanworld, and Futureworld were introduced, and a reported $1.5 billion was poured into the project to make it all possible.
When reporters Chuck Browning (Peter Fonda) and Tracy Ballard (Blythe Danner) are assigned to explore the park and document their findings, they jump at the chance, completely unaware of the grim truth that lies beneath. They chose to explore Futureworld, entering what most journalists would consider a career-defining experience. The park is run entirely by robots, and its command center operates with NASA-level computing and communications.
The problem is that what appears to be a flawless job is slowly starting to show its cracks. Beneath the park’s meticulous attention to detail, the most disturbing work happens behind the scenes. While society is distracted by sex robots and the attractions of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, world leaders are being quietly assimilated, and their human counterparts eliminated in the process.
Chuck and Tracy soon realize that danger is lurking around every corner, but they are already too deep into the inner workings of the park to just leave and report what they discover. Finding a friend in a mechanic named Harry (Stuart Margolin), the two journalists try to reveal what is really going on behind closed doors in Futureworld. The real tension comes from wondering if they will ever find a way out of this cold, counting place alive.
Beautiful Views From Every Corner
I am attracted Futureworld almost entirely in its mirrors. The robots alone make it worth revisiting on a rainy day, especially since the film delves into a mystical valley that I can’t get enough of. The storytelling often feels like a cheap knockoff of Westworld, but that’s not really surprising. Westworld it is a superior film by many measures, however Futureworld It’s always a blast to watch. Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner do what they can with the screenplay, and their sense of urgency never feels dialed in as their characters encounter a major conspiracy during what should be a routine press tour.
Although I don’t agree with it Futureworld’s An essential exploration, it’s an easy entry into the Westworld franchise. That said, it’s far from charm-free. I would recommend it based on the vibe alone if you’re in the mood to watch some robots go haywire. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll probably have a good time with this one.
Futureworld currently streaming for free on Tubi.
