VOD (2)
Seasons(4) / Episodes(36)
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The Maze (2016) - 10 episodes
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The Door (2018) - 10 episodes
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The New World (2020) - 8 episodes
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The Choice (2022) - 8 episodes
Plots(1)
A series inspired by the 1973 film of the same title directed by Michael Crichton about a futuristic theme park populated by artificial beings. (official distributor synopsis)
Videos (37)
Reviews (8)
Season 1 – 90% – Behind every dusty town corner, behind every distant mountain, there is such potential hidden where during chills were running down my spine the first few episodes from all the possible scenarios of how I would handle each complicated situation. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy cleverly tell the story at a measured pace that presents many questions but also manages to quickly answer the most pressing ones with subtle clues, so that an attentive viewer can guess the twists ahead of time. But when such dark suspicions are confirmed, with the assistance of phenomenal performances by Anthony Hopkins, Jimmi Simpson, and Thandiwe Newton, it becomes a genuine delight for the audience. Westworld is not perfect yet, but with each episode, it refines its edges faster, and despite the painful loss of some beloved characters, after closing a surprisingly large number of doors in the finale, I know one thing above all: I want more and I am glad that I am not alone in that. Season 2 – 60% – A forgiving assessment that goes hand in hand with polished visuals, captivating performances, and special effects that turn each episode into an event. However, in combination with the almost insulting pace and the need for shocking twists in the finale, the second season is possibly the biggest disappointment of recent times. HBO's attempt to turn Dolores into a new poster Daenerys Targaryen is absurdly forced, especially since her storyline perhaps gained significance only at the very end. Otherwise, the whole endeavor paradoxically loses strength the better we get to know the main characters. It's as if these creations, by losing their influence, have lost their mystery and have become two-dimensional figures with no surprises hidden in their progress or apparent development. Without William's memories, I would definitely rate it lower. Like this, I consider the second ten episodes a misstep that is still redeemable. Season 3 – 85% – I can't remember the last time a new character became the savior of an established series. The human element of unpredictability is brought by Caleb, portrayed by the brilliant Aaron Paul, and it is thanks to him that the symbiosis of philosophical ideas, meticulously crafted shots, and thoughtful action works. Despite its breakneck pace and reliable cast, it's not a knockout despite its breakneck pace and reliable cast because the friction between Dolores and Maeve is perhaps a bit too calculated and the trajectory towards the divine machine is too straightforward. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I look forward to the regular dose of robotic emotions and savor every twist. For some, the line between good and evil may be too clear-cut, but I am happy that one of the most ambitious shows of today is not afraid to come closer to the viewer with such a decisive step.
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Truly excellent material that clearly called for a series adaptation to fully utilize its potential. I haven’t seen the original by Crichton, but I might make time for it after this experience. From the start, you can immediately see the massive financial backing behind it. But of course, it's not just about how it looks; the script also has to succeed for us to call it successful. The younger Nolan brother has repeatedly shown his skill in this area, so why not give it a try, right? Besides the well-crafted script, which throws one twist after another at you and keeps you glued to the screen with meticulously crafted dialogues and a touch of philosophical depth, I enjoyed the harsh, gritty Western environment, which over time delivered such a dose of pessimism that you wouldn't believe it. The story is high quality, and the central idea around which everything revolves is breathtaking at times, showcasing the high creative level of those who created it. I have few complaints about the actors; the Man in Black, aka Harris, is undoubtedly the most interesting character, and I hope he gets more screen time in his storyline in the second season. Even Hopkins, with his slow speech, somewhat reminded me of Hannibal; he's a wonderful storyteller. The ending is quite action-packed. I’m leaving room for improvement, as it’s possible, and we’ll see if the quality standard is maintained. The first season gets 87%.
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The potential of the scheme "Red Dead Redemption MMORPG by Philip K. Dick" is unprecedented, but still suffers from excessive exposure. Because most of the time only future great events are implied and the world is being explored including its specific rules on the spot and behind the scenes, so as a result there is somehow no necessary space for the characters themselves. In mostly badly affects the living characters, which are sadly too one-dimensional. In any case, this multi-layered moral reflection is so well played out and captivating that the viewer will dive deep into it. I'm just wondering if the short story form à la The Black Mirror wouldn't fit more, because the power of these themes is based on how each viewer will approach them deep inside. Thus, only time will tell whether the creators will deal with this pitfall with honor or whether they will keep repetitively doing the same all the time.
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Watching Westworld is like spending a protracted and monotonous ten hours putting together a jigsaw puzzle; there are times you get bored and feel like quitting, but after all the pieces have fallen into their place you can say “hey, that’s a pretty nice picture!”. Yet, I feel that this picture in particular isn’t much of a masterpiece, and that the journey there was pretty annoying at times and full of useless side trips. Overall, the first season didn’t enchant as much as I was expecting, I think the concept has more potential. Straddling three and four stars.
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Crichton's original film Westworld presented, through the name of its famous writer and the participation of Yul Brynner as the star, the closest possible connection to the western genre, which is now perceived as an ordinary and not very interesting B-movie. Although the respected HBO was behind the production, I did not expect something so well-thought-out and captivating, and elaborate, and something that would compel me to watch the entire first season in the shortest possible time. A smart series with a complicated structure that is thought-provoking, with a humanistic focus, with ambiguous characters, and brilliantly cast and directed - what more could you ask for? Westworld plays with the popular idea of the creation of artificial intelligence, which is the responsibility of two technological visionaries - Ford and Arnold. The practical Ford is focused on business and relentlessly pursues his goal of building a giant amusement center that creates a perfect illusion of the Wild West in the 19th century. Its residents are meant to be indistinguishable from humans, nothing more than top-notch machines. His colleague Arnold realizes the consequences of their efforts and playing god begins to frighten him. He becomes an obstacle to progress and his life ends in a futile attempt to stop the project. 35 years later, he paradoxically stands in the way of Ford's society running smoothly. There are inexplicable phenomena in the behavior of the robots, employees are disappearing, tension is mounting, and change is in the air. The authors of the series play a wide-ranging and in-depth game with the viewer, confusing them, playing games on the side, and combining genres. Of course, Westworld is above all a tribute to the classic western with all its identifying features and stereotypical characters. It is also sci-fi, but lovers of romance, nerds accustomed to deciphering a multitude of references and puzzles, and fans of adventure spectacles will also find something in it for themselves. What works wonderfully is the combination and balance of intellect and emotional engagement. The complex structure of the story forces the viewer to think, while the abuse of the artificial beings evokes a wave of sympathy for their fate, not unlike the position of ancient slaves. Wealthy park visitors have the opportunity to torture, kill, and rape anyone of the robots - and they often do. While the robots represented a threat in Crichton's Westworld, in the new adaptation, they represent the more sympathetic part of the series' protagonists. Their desire to understand the meaning of their existence and for dignity humanizes them more than humans full of superiority, selfishness, and callousness. The revolt of the robots brings with it not only destruction but also hope for the restoration of moral values and humanistic ideals. It is hard to say what I would praise the most about Westworld. Is it the cunning variability of characters influenced by reprogramming or the revelation of their identity? The performance of veteran actor Anthony Hopkins as the grand, manipulative, and dangerous park boss? Or perhaps the excellent set design? Regardless, I am looking forward to the next season like a little boy. Overall impression: 95%.
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