When looking for movies set in Denver, Colorado, most people tend to think of westerns or documentaries first.

However, a film that critics often mention is Woody Allen's 1973 sci-fi comedy, 'Sleeper.'

Although it may seem like an old film now, it garnered significant attention at the time for its bold imagination and unique visual style.

The plot of the movie is simple. It tells the story of an ordinary man who runs a health food store and is frozen, only to wake up in a future society 200 years later.

While this may feel like a common setup today, it was quite a fresh idea in the 1970s. Woody Allen's signature wordplay, satire, and fearless slapstick comedy contribute to its status as a cult classic even today.

Critics particularly praise the way the film depicts the future.

While most sci-fi films rely on massive sets or special effects, Sleeper creatively uses existing modern architecture to represent a futuristic city.

A prime example of this is the Sculptured House located near Denver in Genesee.

Thanks to its unique flying saucer-like shape, it appears as the home of a future scientist in the film, and people have since started calling it the 'Sleeper House.'

Another notable location is the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. Designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei, this building features exposed concrete and linear design, appearing as a future government facility in the film.

At the time, it reportedly had such a unique atmosphere that audiences perceived it as a movie set rather than a real building.

Critics do not view Sleeper merely as a simple comedy. They note that it cleverly satirizes power and surveillance society, suggesting that human foolishness remains largely unchanged even in a technologically advanced future. Woody Allen's rapid dialogue and dark humor have influenced many directors since.

Of course, not all reviews are positive. By today's standards, the pacing may feel somewhat slow, and the special effects show signs of their era.

Additionally, the humor from the 1970s may seem somewhat unfamiliar to today's generation. Nevertheless, it is consistently mentioned as one of the early films that successfully combined sci-fi and comedy in film history.

Watching this film again, I was most surprised that, even after more than 50 years, Colorado's architecture still looks futuristic. The Sculptured House, in particular, could easily be mistaken for a newly built ultra-modern home when viewed in drone footage.

If you are planning a trip to Colorado or Denver, it might be a good idea to watch the film first. Just a short drive west from Denver, you can see the silhouette of the Sculptured House perched on Genesee Mountain, and Boulder's NCAR is well-equipped for visitors. After watching the film, visiting the actual locations can bring a delightful realization of, "Oh, this is where that scene was!"

While it was not a box office hit, critics consider Sleeper a film that gains value over time. With its original imagination, representation of a future world using real architecture, and Woody Allen's comedic sense that still brings laughter today, it is regarded as a hidden gem that should be seen when looking for films set in Colorado.