Westworld:
Season One –The Maze
review by Bobby Blakey
While I enjoyed it I was never a huge fan of the film Westworld. About the only really great part of the film was the late great Yul Brenner. There had been a lot of talk about making a new film or another TV series, but looked like it was never going to happen until HBO stepped in. Now you can bring home the complete first season of the series.
Westworld: Season One – The Maze follows the not so typical amusement park Westworld. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park allows its visitors to live out their most primal fantasies with the robotic "hosts." However, the robotic hosts have evolved an artificial consciousness that is similar to, yet diverges from, human consciousness. No matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park's guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged; but there is a price to be paid. The series features a great cast including Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins, James Marsden, Jeffery Lewis, and Tessa Thompson. I admit that when I first tried to watch this show I struggled through the first episode, but I am glad I revisited as there was so much more here. For this show to work you have to believe both aspects of it within these worlds. First you have the real world that is running the show with plenty of mysteries and intrigue to be the focus all its own, but then you add to it the western part of the park and you get two completely different stories that work perfect together.
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The cast all do a great job with Ed Harris’ gunslinger being one of the coolest characters he has played in some time. As the story progresses everyone here gets multiple things to do and instead of just keeping all about the fake reality they have injected it with plenty of twists and turns that connect the two worlds as one. The initial slow pace works so well with the rest of the show as it slowly builds each of the characters into numerous blood soaked shootouts and killings that take it to the next level. By the end of this season I was all in and loved the direction it took and the fun twists both expected and unexpected. The last few episodes amped everything up more to insane levels as it seemingly completed it all before offering up a fun ending that will no doubt lead into a fun new season.
Whether you missed it the first time around or just a fan you can bring home the complete season which includes all 10 episodes of the series as well as a special collectors book, bonus features and a cool metal tin with the 4K edition. Step into the futuristic park and grab your copy of Westworld: Season One – The Maze available now on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.