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Wild Wild West (the film)

Wild Wild West

Ok, so considered to be a travesty of all things good in the film industry, a showcase of bad acting, writing and directing – I have to say, I’ve never found it to be that horrendous. I probably have very low standards; I can accept that. I’ve never been good at spotting ‘good’ acting, usually too swept up in interesting ‘backstory’ that I can use to fuel my own imaginings – and this has some pretty nice backstory.

Based off an old series that was apparently very popular in its time (and supposed to have been released recently – I’ll need to keep an eye out) it’s set in the Wild West that never was – one of mad geniuses and steam devices gone awry. So, good start there. Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for the inventor archtype, and less for the physical hero type – so Artemus Gordon the ‘good’ inventor and the evil genius Dr Loveless, though both overacted, made me smile repeatedly. Their inventions are deliciously detailed and resplendant in brilliant brass and the unsung beauty of this film is undoubtedly their personalised steamtrain. You thought I would mention Salma Hayek? Unfortunately, she’s not really developed much as a character, and I didn’t find myself liking her that much.

Verdict: The backstory is wonderful, the machines and inventions are superb, but I can only recommend to the quality-blind like myself. High score for machines, lowered for lost opportunities.

Steampunk Score: 6/10

This entry was posted on Friday, July 7th, 2006 at 11:32 pm by Tinkergirl and is filed under Film Reviews.

  • Thomas Kimmel
    update: I stand corrected. The album is called, "The Fantasy Filmworld of Bernard Hermann".
  • Thomas Kimmel
    If you are looking for music that would make you think of elaborate, menacing, and outright frightening, then I would suggest you investigate the works of "Bernard Herrmann". One album I seem to recall is "The Magical Worlds of Bernard Herrmann". It has been some years since I listened to my vinyl albums but I did a quick search on the net and there appears to be quite a bit of support for him still. I would say this might be "steampunk" before the term was coined.
  • Tinkergirl
    It is quite a rubbish film, unfortunately, but as I said - I love the back story. I too have a terrible weakness for mad scientists and 'misunderstood' geniuses - particularly when they use the power of steam in their quest to school the known world.

    I've not got to reviewing The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen yet, though I did watch it fairly recently. Alas, not exactly a shining example of literary merit either, really. (Lovely backstory, of course).

    And I read your LJ post where you mentioned Brass Goggles - I too am soon to start watching Last Exile, having recently found it. That, and Brisco County Jnr. should keep me ticking over with Steampunk televisual entertainment for a while. Oh, and it's seldom I get referred to as sir :)
  • Greetings!

    Well, I have to say Brass Goggles is simply top drawer. Very well done, sir.

    Indeed Wild Wild West is atrocious. My good lady wife and I made the error of going to see it in the theatre and were badly disappointed. However, I have to admit the movie at least does not lie in so far as what it claims to be, that being a spin–off of a 1960s TV show intended for light-hearted adventure.

    I am sure you’ll agree that Steampunk rarely gets treated seriously as a plot setting, at least not in Hollywood. Since it is based upon retro-science, 19th C. science fiction and anachronistic technologies, it tends to be deemed as “quaint???. Good fodder for “high adventure fantasy!??? and “family fun???, but sadly not anything like serious science fiction drama. Perhaps that’s alright. Maybe we wouldn’t want every steampunk storyline to entail global disasters and dark anti-heroes and scenarios as we find in cyberpunk. However, one or two such films would be enjoyable.

    In any case, the film is based on an intentionally corny 1960’s show which was, in turn, an attempt to cash in on the contemporary James Bond craze as well as the American appetite for westerns. It was campy – not as campy as say Batman, but still right in line with the 1960s attitude. I still recommend it over the movie.

    What I did like about Wild Wild West was the CGI, of course. I mean, how often does one get to see a steam-powered robotic spider? I have a penchant for Villains and even though he was over-the-top, I enjoyed Dr. Loveless (despite his physicality being a bit too much of a stretch medically speaking). I recently downloaded the movie just to watch him and his toys again. As you do, I like to look for back story, and also simple eye candy. I adore mad scientist inventors, global domination schemes and sexy, death-dealing, corseted courtesans. Thus, Wild Wild West was amusing a second time around, brain in off-mode.

    So, have you done a review of LXG yet? Just curious. If you’d like another old movie just for fun, I might recommend The Great Race. It is ultra-corny comedy, and not really steampunky, but it does have a delightful villain in the form of Professor Fate. His car and other contraptions are to die for and rather steampunk.

    Cheers,

    - Theridion
  • Tinkergirl
    I do hope you\'ll watch out - Wild Wild West the film was universally panned as being rubbish. I hope you don\'t get your hopes up too much - I\'d hate to be responsible for the sullying of a fond memory.

    On the plus side, Amazon.Com is selling Wild Wild West first season on DVD now.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ERVJKO/qid...

    Unfortunately, it\'s not made it\'s way across to my UK shores yet, but when I can manage, it\'s definitely on my list for watching, and hopefully reviewing.

    As for the shoes - I have some rather large boots of brown leather and brass rivets, though there\'s no steam to speak of yet :) My only problem is - there\'s no Steampunk music! (I\'ve looked, and there\'s nothing that really says Steampunk to me yet.)

    Thanks for the comments though!
  • Anonymous
    Yes, this is the same "Anonymous" who comments on your Bento Blog (We've missed you!).

    As an American, I have seen the WWW (Wild, Wild West) TV programmes, and they were/are superb -- juicy bits of steampunk fantasy set in the cowboy era. I was unaware there was a movie version! James West had his own steam locomotive and luxury cars, Artemis Gordon was his trusty sidekick and inveterate inventor/genius.

    West would embroil them (on behalf of the US Government) in intricate schemes to foil evil, and Gordon would save the day with some ingenious invention to defeat the foes. Rollicking good fun. I can only hope the movie version follows the same general outline. I'll definitely look for it.

    Thanks for the tip!

    And, thanks for the steampunk blog! Your goggles are stupendous, just a terrific bit of work. I can only imagine the overall effect of wearing them, your cog-works skirt, and playig your guitar! [LOL] Brilliant. Maybe the outfit needs some serious platform shoes that vent "steam" from the soles -- worn with horizontally striped hose :grin:.
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