The Wild Wild West Revisited

Where is Johnathan Winters in the cast listing? He threatens to steal the show and is wonderful villain paradigm. More fun than later big budget version. A presage of Brisco County Junior. Era of poking fun at the cultural narrative of westerns and 007. Loved the steam punk one armed bandits. Pace slows but the surreality of the sets and nuclear bombs going off at regular intervals maintains a threat of urgency against the clever spoofs and twisted familiarity of steam punk renditions of the modern world. Joyce Brothers cameo is precious. Steam Punk takes off with Brisco, but its roots stretch back into wild Wild West.

The classic espionage TV series The Wild Wild West, which ran from 1965 to 1969 on CBS, was followed by two TV movie sequels: The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979) and More Wild Wild West (1980). The original series episodes ranged from thrilling espionage episodes to more comedic and campy ones, but the follow-up TV movies continued only in the campy and comedic vein. That was considered a let down by some fans of the series who were hoping for something closer to the more serious episodes of the show. I can understand their viewpoint, but I found both movies entertaining for what they were: a fun bit of escapism featuring the reunion of two favorite characters and the actors who played them. The chemistry between these guys can't be beat. Both movies have their weak points, but Conrad and Martin, reunited as an older West and Gordon, make for fun viewing.

I have read comments which say that this TV movie is more a comedy than a serious adventure yarn. Of course it is. The original series, shot ten-fifteen years ago, could afford to be serious, because the overall genesis of the series was action packed sequences, with many stunts and not only from stunt men, but also the lead Robert Conrad, who was ten- fifteen years younger and also in a far far better shape, leaner and could show many more skills than in this TV movie. So, yes, I understand that the producers decided to compensate the lack of action sequences by more humor and comedy. Don't expect any fist fights from Jim West, or only a little. Forget what you saw in the past. But if you are a die hard fan of the show, don't hesitate to see it. It will be painful from time to time but rewarding.

Though it was good to see them together again the script missed the mark. There wasn't the action and adventure just some corny jokes to cover up the fact that Jim West wasn't using his normal gadgets and fighting action. Artie wasn't up to his old self either. The Jokes were okay but it really wasn't full-blown the Wild Wild West. Too many things were missing. I haven't seen the second one yet but I get a feeling I'm going to be disappointed. I'm a big Wild Wild West TV series fan.

Since no one has commented on this flick, I guess I am the first one that has seen it. The tv movie doesn't quite live up to the series as far as the gadgets, but like a tradional western it has bar fights, a damsel in distress and other action, but fans looking for gadgets or huge explosions might be disappointed. Saw it on digital cable (eat your heart out, cheap cable subscribers). LOL

Ironically there was another Wild Wild West tv movie in 1980.