In a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, the violent game of Rollerball is used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E., rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control. The year is 2018. There is no crime and there are no more wars. Corporations are now the leaders of the world, as well as the controllers of the people. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is now the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas competing for the title of champion. The defending championship team, the Houston team led by the determined ten-year veteran Johnathan E., is looking to repeat as champions. However, Bartholomew, the sinister corporate head, wants Johnathan to retire, even though he is the most respected athlete of his time. Johnathan's rebellious quest will not come out with complications, both for him and his teammates, after he decides to continue playing despite Bartholomew's threats. Baseball great Yogi Berra once said, "The future 'aint what it used to be." As inane as this sounds it actually makes brilliant sense when pondered closely. In the 1970's there were a series of films that were obsessed with depicting what the future would be like: Death Race 2000, Future World, Westworld, Mad Max, etc. All of them had violent themes and foreboding outlooks of nightmarish societies and dystopia. Yes, technology and knowledge may improve, but mankind doesn't. Rollerball in 1975 depicted what the world would be like in 2018 with a completely negative outlook.<br/><br/>Jonathon E. is the all-star player of this blood sport. He's charismatic, has plenty of sexy women at his disposal and plays the sport with ferocious skill and precision. During games he cuts through the track leaving a heap of opponents bodies in his wake. He scores points to win the games and often beats up many opponents, even in pairs with his powerful hits, flips and jabs. Jonathon is the best and most formidable player in the world. The game sequences especially make this clear by revealing the rough nature and brutality of the sport accompanied by the prevailing skills of Jonathon and the Houston Rollerball team. Their is one particular vivid scene where corporate executives, hookers and star players are invited to a dinner party. As part of the entertainment they replay highlights of Jonathon's career basking in the glory of his remarkable and overpowering carnage on the track and basking in the glory of his point scoring. Watching the sexy gown clad women faint and sigh from the violent images in slow motion add to the sexy element of this movie.<br/><br/>Rollerball is vivid, colorful, sexy and brutal. All these elements combined to derail a society where corporate America has created an impersonal and morally depraved world through violent entertainment for the masses.<br/><br/>If you want to see an interesting 1970's flick, with violence, hot babes, or to just watch James Caan pulverize people into hamburger, then Rollerball is worth a look. Why isn't Dick Enberg given credit for his role as the main play-by-play announcer? A prequel or sequel would be OK. The problem with that is, the film world is littered with post-apocalyptic films and most are bad. Like Death Race 2000, for ex. Besides, John Houseman is dead. His role is important in this movie, so it would be important in a prequel or sequel. Or you can just watch Robocop, Demplition Man and THX 1138 for more futuristic movies with fascist/communist visions. There is talk of a new Terminator trilogy; where does it end? And all you have to do is watch a Nascar race, to see real life similarities, what with constant thanking of sponsors. Plus Nike and other companies in College sports, etc.
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365 weeks ago