Futureworld

Futureworld is a 1976 sequel to the 1973 science fiction film Westworld. It was written by George Schenk and Mayo Simon, and directed by Richard T. Heffron. The cast included Hollywood notables Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, and Arthur Hill. There is also a cameo appearance by Yul Brynner, who played a deadly robot in the first film. This would prove to be Brynner's last film appearance. Other than Brynner, none of the cast members from the original film appear in this one.

The film attempted to take the plot in a different direction from the Westworld movie, but it was not generally well-received by the critics. The film was deemed as lacking in action and the acting was not engaging. It was made by AIP (its predecessor was made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which later bought AIP's successor Orion Pictures).

Synopsis

Two years after the Westworld tragedy in the Delos amusement park, the corporate owners have reopened the park following over $1 billion in safety and other improvements. For publicity purposes, reporters Chuck Browning (Fonda) and Tracy Ballard (Danner) are invited to review the park. Just prior to arriving at the park, however, Browning is given a clue by a dying man that something is amiss.

After some investigation, the two reporters discover that Delos' entire resort is simply a ruse to attract world leaders, the rich, and the famous for a sinister plot. Guests are drugged during their stay through one of their meals (as happens to Browning and Ballard), and during this state of unconsciousness, genetic samples are taken. From the extensive genetic sampling, Delos technicians create fully programmed engineered clones who, with murderous intent, replace the wealthy and influential visitors - thereby allowing Delos to take over the world. As the owner of Delos, Dr. Duffy (Arthur Hill), explains that if it is left alone, the planet would be destroyed by the end of the decade. "We at Delos have no intention of being destroyed by you" he adds. The clones will run the world under Delos control and end political directions the leaders of Delos find threatening. The two reporters are selected for early termination and replacement, but Browning discovers this fact in time. This results in a dramatic chase and battle between the reporters and their doubles.

Having successfully dispatched their twins, the duo make their way to Delos’ airport. Before leaving they come across the project's chief scientist and tell him that they plan to return to the outside world with “glowing reports” of the new resort – just as planned.

However, just as they reach the busy departure lounge, and much to the surprise of the chief scientist, one of the battered and dying evil clones staggers into view claiming “They’re the wrong ones….”, before slumping to the floor. Exasperated, the chief scientist looks on as Browning flips him the bird and walks to safety, as we hear that the story has been successfully broken to the world.

Technical

Futureworld was the first major feature film to use 3D computer generated images (CGI). CGI was used for an animated hand and face. The animated hand was a digitized version of Edwin Catmull's left hand. The movie also used 2D digital compositing to materialize characters over a background.

Alternate versions

For its initial television broadcast, an alternate version of the scene towards the end where Chuck Browning extends his middle finger to Dr. Schneider was shot. Instead of extending his middle finger, Browning performs a sanitized-for-TV bent elbow gesture, where the right hand is placed in the elbow crook of the left arm, then the left arm is raised (fist clenched) in a smooth and continuous motion.

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