New to Blu-ray in the UK this month is a special collector’s edition release of classic sci-fi Western, Westworld. The film – written and directed by Jurassic Park author, Michael Crichton – is a fantasy picture about a futuristic theme park where the attractions come to life with deadly results.
In the film, friends Peter and John head to the expensive vacation destination, Delos, to take part in some rest and relaxation. However, unlike regular holiday hotspots, Delos is a unique location, with state-of-the-art attractions and amenities.
Delos is divided into three distinct spaces – Medieval World, Roman World, and Western World – with each area themed around its name and populated by high-tech, life-like androids that create the illusion of a trip back to the past. Peter and John opt to visit Westworld, where they are able to journey back to the 1880s to become cowboys in the Wild West.
While partaking in the illusion of Westworld, Peter and John (as well as all the other guests) are encouraged to have as much fun as possible and treat the androids however they wish. But this carefree rule soon comes back to haunt everyone, when the androids malfunction and start killing the guests.
If you’re familiar with Westworld you’ll know it is an excellent film. The movie – which stars James Brolin, Richard Benjamin, and Yul Brynner – has a very dark edge, features a superb mash-up of genres, and includes an iconic turn from Brynner as a malfunctioning android, who hunts Peter and John through the movie.
Sure, the film doesn’t quite hit the same heights as writer/director Michael Crichton’s similarly themed dino-epic, Jurassic Park, but as the front runner of the two stories, the ideas are all here. The movie plays with the concept of humans abusing science for the purposes of entertainment, and demonstrates the result of this abuse of power.
The Western setting allows for some great action and adventure sequences, while the sci-fi backbone allows the story to delve deep into the fantastical elements of the premise. Throw in a lean 90-minute run-time, and it all comes together quite nicely.
The sinister side of the story is seeded during the first half of the film, before everything goes bananas in the second half. The moment when Yul Brynner’s ‘Gunslinger’ turns into a killer is very effective, and the final 30 minutes is superb.
Now, if you are familiar with Westworld, you’ll probably be aware this film has been released on Blu-ray before. So what’s new about this latest release?
Well, as noted above, this is a collector’s edition which is being wheeled out as part of the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Pictures. This particular edition comes in fancy packaging with a couple of supplementary extras, and is exclusive to HMV (and Fopp).
Housed in a sturdy cardboard slip case, the set includes a slick steelbook, as well as a cardboard inner pouch. The steelbook contains the film on Blu-ray, while the pouch holds a set of double-sided photo cards, as well as a double-sided poster.
The photo cards are a bit underwhelming, mostly because the imagery is rather grainy, but the poster is cool. As for the Blu-ray, this offers up a HD copy of the film, alongside a small collection of bonus material including the original movie trailer, an ‘On Location with Westworld’ featurette, and the 1980 pilot episode for the short-lived Beyond Westworld TV series.
Are the bonus features on the Blu-ray new? Nope.
However, the real thing of beauty on offer here is the steelbook, as well as the outer slip case. Both are clean and crisp, and look lovely on the shelf.
If you’re a physical media fan, and Westworld is a firm favourite, then this souped up re-release is better than the bog-standard one that usually does the rounds. It would be nice if Warner Bros. would invest in some new extras for the disc itself, but improving the presentation of the release is at least a good step in the right direction, so I’m letting it slide… for now.
This collector’s edition of Westworld on Blu-ray retails for around £30, and as it is a HMV/Fopp exclusive, this is probably the best price you’re going to find it for. So, if you want one for yourself, you’d best get on it as soon as possible, before the prices get jacked up on eBay.
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment