Growing up in the 60s there was no way any young boy could
not be familiar with the series THE WILD WILD WEST. The adventures of James
West (Robert Conrad) and partner Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) were a weekly
staple. Every Friday night as the street lights dimmed outside you knew it was
time to get inside and turn on the TV. What’s surprising to learn now is that
the series was only on for just 4 years. And yet fans still treasure that
series.
Ten years after the show was canceled fans were rejoicing
when they learned that a new made for TV movie was coming out reuniting the two
main cast members. WILD WILD WEST REVISTED brought the two special agents out
of retirement, placed them back in their specially equipped railcar and sent
them off on a new mission to save the world. They could no longer pursue their
arch nemesis Dr. Miguelito Loveless since actor Michel Dunn had passed away in
1973. Instead they were chasing his son, Dr. Miguelito Loveless Jr. as played
by Paul Williams.
Junior is following in his father’s footsteps trying to rule
the world and strike terror in his quest to do so. To do so he’s invented
duplicate robots to replace the leaders of the free world as well as a nuclear
bomb. Only West and Gordon have a chance of foiling his plans.
Honestly the movie doesn’t live up to the original series
but it doesn’t matter. It still offers a fun movie and fans were so glad to see
the two actors reunited that it didn’t matter. The two weakest portions of the
film are the henchmen Williams uses here as played by mimes Shields and
Yarnell, popular at the time and Williams performance here. Never a great actor
he chooses for camp rather than class in the role.
The following year MORE WILD WILD WEST came out. The first
reunion was such a hit ratings wise it was inevitable. Once more West and
Gordon were brought out of retirement to save the world. This time around there
was another mad genius set on taking over the world. Albert Paradine II was
played with relish by Jonathan Winters. Paradine has discovered a way to make
himself invisible and plans to use that power to take over. His plot involves
blowing up a peace conference in Washington, D.C.
Again, this was more camp than witnessed in the original
series. And yet it was such a pleasure seeing Conrad and Martin back together
again that fans ignored that fact and just enjoyed the film as much as
possible.
Until recently the only way to find both of these films on
disc was to purchase the complete series box set that was released some time
ago. Subsequent complete series offerings did not include the two films. Now
fans can have both together on DVD for what is an incredibly low price. If you
loved the series, if you grew up with it, there is no better time than now to
pick this one up. Not only that, the complete series box set is at an
affordable price as well. Who knows, picking them up you could begin a new
tradition with your own kids or grandkids, setting it up on Friday nights to
watch just like you did growing up.
Click here to order.
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