“Westworld” is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name written by Michael Crichton. (Courtesy of HBO)

In the science fiction world, artificial intelligence never seems to work the way scientists want it to. This is true in HBO’s “Westworld,” the latest sci-fi hit revolving around lifelike robots that begin to deviate from their expected behavior.

“Westworld” is based on the 1973 movie of the same name and has the same premise as the movie, just a bit more modern and expanded. Marketed as a technologically advanced theme park, it gives affluent clients the opportunity to transport themselves to an old western society where they can do absolutely anything they want.

This society is filled with “hosts” which are robots designed and programmed by the geniuses behind Westworld. The hosts are programmed with various narratives that tell them what to say and how to interact with the “guests,” the real-life people placed in this world. At the end of the day, the hosts go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again.

Ideally, when they wake up, the robots are supposed to have no memory of their previous days; everything seems new, and they repeat the phrases and storylines as they are programmed to. However, the central plot to “Westworld” is that some of these robots are actually starting to remember events and people from their past, causing them to become even more human-like, and possibly rebel against their creators.

Dr. Robert Ford, played by Anthony Hopkins, is the intelligent mastermind behind Westworld. It is, however, his mistake in the programming that leads to many problems with the hosts. One of the lead programmers, Bernard Lowe, played by Jeffery Wright, works diligently to fix it as he tries to cover for Dr. Ford.

Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden star as two of the main hosts. In the first episode, it is rather difficult to distinguish between who is a host and who is actually a real person. Marsden’s character seems like a real guest, but we come to see that he is a host. Their storylines and narratives change a small amount throughout the first few episodes, sometimes depending on how the guests end up interacting with them, which is very interesting.

Despite the interesting storyline, it can, at times, feel too complex and intricate. For viewers who may not know what exactly the premise of the show is, the first episode can come across as rather confusing. The show tends to display the aftermath of certain events first, and then later on it gives the backstory as to how the characters ended up in that situation. This is a common attribute in TV shows, but in “Westworld,” it just complicates an already elaborate story.

Conversely, none of the characters stand out especially well. For such a detailed storyline, the characters feel really flat. Almost all of the people working at Westworld have the same personality type; controlling, rude and self-centered employees. As for the hosts, they are obviously all robots, but none of them have anything that really makes them stand out. It is only when they start to gain their memories that they show any real emotion or personality.

What does work for this show, is just about everything else. The visual effects and scenery are absolutely amazing. Although there is really only one setting in this alternate society, it seems to accurately portray the old western environment, as do the hosts’ attire. There are beautiful scenes of vast fields and expansive mountains juxtaposed with violent battle scenes.

Even with a possibly too-complex storyline, it is a very unique concept that perceptively weaves in allegories and allusions to historical works. The very first episode has references to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Along with more references in other episodes, it is the subtleties of the characters that viewers really need to pay attention to in order to piece together certain parts of the plot.

There are so many aspects to Westworld that are interconnected and woven together, but none of them get lost in the smaller scenes. Some moments seem rather boring and trivial, but they typically end up contributing to a larger idea in the show.

One of “Westworld’s” producers is J.J. Abrams, known for his work on various science fiction hits, such as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Lost” and “Fringe.” Abrams is very talented and knows the keys to a successful television show. With so much hype and excitement around this show, it is sure to pick up the pace as the storyline develops.

All in all, this show has the ability to grow into a wonderfully intricate story and only has room to improve. The complexity of the show is what makes it so unique, and while it may turn viewers away at first, giving it a chance past the first few episodes will certainly pay off. As the episodes progress, more and more information is revealed, while simultaneously throwing in new problems and ideas.

With stunning visuals, design and effects, there is more to enjoy than just the story. The actors do an incredible job of accurately portraying this time period. “Westworld” is the product of many talented producers and writers, and has garnered a lot of excitement from sci-fi fans. “Westworld” airs Sunday nights on HBO.