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Wild Wild West ( 1999) was a science-fiction/ historical film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh and Salma Hayek. It was inspired by a 1960s television program of the same name.
It was criticized for excessive marketing and poor quality. The film featured footage of a giant mechanical spiderSuborder Mesothelae Liphistiidae (primitive burrowing spiders) Suborder Mygalomorphae Atypidae ( atypical tarantula) Antrodiaetidae ( folding trapdoor spider) Mecicobothriidae ( dwarf tarantulas) Hexathelidae ( venomous funnel-web tarantula) Dipluridae (, equipped with a flamethrowerA flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to throw flames or, more correctly, project an ignited stream of liquid. It is used by the military and also by those needing controlled burning, such as in agriculture or other land management tasks. Militar. Needless to say, the film was riddled with historical inaccuracy, though this was intentional and reflected the spirit of the original TV series. A bigger problem was the casting of Will Smith in the role of Jim West. While a few grumbled at the notion of a black actor playing an established white character, most were simply put off at the anachronistic way West is portrayed in this film.
The film was also criticized for having a handicapped wheelchair bound character played by a "star" (Branagh) who was not handicapped, when various persons associated with the film felt a handicapped individual was qualified for the role. The handicap was the absence of any body below the ribs.