REMAKES ARE A DIME A DOZEN in television and movies these days, but every now and then something special comes along where the child outshines the parent. “Battlestar Galactica” comes to mind, as well as John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” and possibly the upcoming premiere of Netflix’s “Lost in Space” reboot series.

In the case of this article it is the HBO mini-series WEST WORLD, a re-imagining of the 1973 movie that was written and directed by famed author Michael Crichton, that is worthy of praise.

The first 10-episode season of this daring show is coming to a close and critical and fan reaction is so positive that it appears there will definitely be a second season. With an exceptional cast including the likes of actors Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins, this modern take on a ‘man vs. technology’ horror film decides to embrace a more enlightened and textured vision of artificial intelligence, androids, and man’s inhumanity to, well, man!

Paying tribute to a wealth of movies including “Blade Runner,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and “A.I.” this innovative series offers up a new and interesting take on the responsibilities, morals, and ethics of questionable technological breakthroughs, and their profound affect on human life… and the human soul.

Gary Lockwood talks to Keir Dullea in a scene from the film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, 1968. (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)

Part mystery, part thriller, part horror story, part science fiction mortality tale, and part revisionist Old West homage, HBO’s WestWorld offers up a little something for anyone who appreciates clever plotting, engaging dialogue, and magnetic characters!