In FUTUREWORLD, a pair of reporters visit rebuilt Delos theme park after the Westworld disaster. The uneven but still compelling 1976 film comes to 4k and Blu-ray from Arrow Video this month.
The Film
Futureworld has a lesser reputation than Westworld or its second TV show (the first, which had an episode on the Arrow 4k of the 1973 Westworld, is awful). But you know what? I like it. It’s flawed, a little meaningless, and wandering. It has plenty of unneeded cul-de-sacs and is ultimately underwritten and aimless. But there’s something about it that clicked on some level. Written by Mayo Simon and George Schenck and directed by Richard T. Heffren, Futureworld is uneven but damned if it isn’t compelling.
Maybe it’s because it doesn’t repeat the first film. In Michael Crichton’s film, the futuristic theme park of three worlds (West, Medieval, and Roman) allowed people to live out their fantasies: romantic, adventurous, or even violent. Well, things went astray, and dozens of guests and employees died. A few years later, Delos reopens, with Westworld abandoned and replaced by the titular Futureworld and a Spaworld. And they invite a set of reporters to come by and see how it works.
Race with the Devil’s Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner, soon to be heard in Wildwood, are reporters sent into Delos to take a look around. How and why is a little blurred, one of many things that don’t hold up. Well, we ultimately know why; hint: think about why they’d also invite several world leaders the same weekend. Yeah. You figured it out in ten minutes. Just gotta wait an hour and a half for the plot to catch up. So yeah, we know why these two reporters: her because she’s a popular TV face and him because he’s the print journalist who broke the story of the previous malfunction. So, narrative control. But the way Delos handles the pair raises the question: “If this is their plan, why did they let X and X happen?” The answer is” Otherwise we don’t have a movie, dummy,” but it does stretch to give us exposition and world-building (literally).
Sorry to those who want the park to break down again: Michael Crichton isn’t involved, so no more of his “science goes too far, it breaks, and people die.” Instead, we’re slid into a 1970s conspiracy flick. One that looks at how the park operates and what goals Delos might have, eeeeviiiilll goals. Unfortunately, it spends so much time just hanging out and talking with a maintenance dude and his cast-off droid. We see bits and pieces of the work that brings it to life (a favorite part of mine in the later TV show), but it leaves the more intriguing notions off-screen. Heck, the worlds are barely seen, leaving little fun stuff for FutureWorld itself. But there are more than enough “oh, that’s interesting” bits to keep moving. But there are also plenty of diversions, like a dream sequence that exists solely to bring back Yul Brener’s iconic Gunslinger and put him on the poster.
Yeah, it’s a bit bland and messy. But Fonda and Danner give it more life, as both are great actors. Fonda always brings gravitas and likability. Danner, who looks like her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, has her own gravity, and the two work well together. Their characters are meant to have chemistry as former lovers, giving more to them, and it flows. Between them and the underlying conspiracy drive, there’s enough to keep it interesting. Just much more chill than Westworld.
The Packaging and Presentation
Arrow puts Futureworld on a single disc 4k or Blu-ray (your choice). Said disc fits inside the case matching the format, along with the booklet. The disc, booklet, and outer O-sleeve feature new art by Jeff Marshall. The insert sleeve is double-sided, with the original poster art on the other side.e
Arrow’s presentation looks pretty good, but it feels a bit soft. It’s clear and detailed, but doesn’t pop as is. It doesn’t help the film’s color palette is 70s brown and muted, so not much ot work from. It is Dolby Vision compatible. The restored mono audio sounds good. Nothing is lost. In English with English subtitles.
The Features
Arrow offers only a few, honestly underwhelming, on-disc features, but it includes another great booklet. However, this is the first time Futureworld has received any notable supplements, with the previous Shout! Factory release only contained the trailer and TV spot.
Commentary (new)
Daniel Klemer returns from the Westworld commentary. It’s fine, but doesn’t stand out; much like the film. The focus is on the film’s development, how it separated from its predecessor, who’s who, and how it shifted when Westworld’s Richard Benjamin wasn’t coming back.
Future Present (new)
Producer Paul N. Lazarus III, over a video call, talks about producing both of the films. He seems like a very hands-on producer, and there’s good talk about shaping the sequel without Crichton. Futureworld is more producer-formed than director-driven, so that tracks. 23m
NASA Science Fact and Fiction (1976, new to this release)
A fun behind-the-scenes look at filming at the Johnson Space Center, using its huge, fascinating locations. More of this please! (8m)
Trailer (3m)
Tv spot (30s)
Radio spots (3m)
Image Gallery
200 Production and behind-the-scenes photos
Booklet
The bound 36 page booklet contains the normal photos/cast/crew along with other extras. The Heirs of Michael Crichton: Into Futureworld by Barry Forshaw releates how the film connects, or doesn’t to Crichton’s oeuvre and how the studio led the film. Attack of the Clones! From Futureworld and Beyond! By David Michael Brown takes a look at cinematic clones & replacements. Programmed for Your Pleasure: The Representatoin of the Robot in Futureworld by James Rose is about how robots are used within the film for humanity.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Futureworld, coming to 4k and Blu-ray from Arrow, is a lesser sequel to Westwork. It doesn’t work nearly as well, but it has more than enough to garner interest. As a release, its fine. The transfer does well enough and the features a bit lacking. Book your vacation with Delos if it appeals, but not missing much to skip with trip.