The Andromeda Strain
Reviewer: Tom Leins
Issue 105 July 2008
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Wipe-out!
The Lowdown: An entire Utah town is wiped out by a mysterious virus that has been brought to Earth by a returning satellite. A 100% casualty rate is expected, but a search reveals two survivors: a baby and an old man. Can the team of crack scientists find the immunisation/cure before the world is destroyed?
Review: Robert Wise’s science fiction classic, The Andromeda Strain (1971), is a much-loved example of 70s sci-fi at its best. When news of a made-for-TV remake first began to circulate, fans were understandably concerned. Such concerns were well founded as it turns out, as whilst The Andromeda Strain offers three hours of solid (if a little jargon-heavy) entertainment, it warps the original novel/movie into something altogether different…
The whole endeavour has been bankrolled by Scott Free, Ridley and Tony Scott’s production company, ensuring a much needed degree of big-screen gloss. Mini-series kingpin Mikael Salomon does what is expected of him in the director’s chair, but as things plod along you find yourself wishing that Tony Scott himself had wrestled control of the project and turned it into a mindless high-octane romp!
Michael Crichton’s densely plotted thrillers will never go out of fashion, but the subject matter of The Andromeda Strain feels decidedly old hat. Back in 1971, creepy viruses and shadowy government conspiracies may have felt brand spanking new, but now they feel quaintly out of time. Nevertheless, whilst attempts to beef up the storyline may have taken liberties with Crichton’s original material, all of the tweaks have definitely been moulded in Crichton’s distinctive image.
On one hand, devotees of the original movie will doubtless consider this movie a form of sacrilege. On the other hand, newcomers will find its subject matter curiously stale. I’m sure that everyone will agree that The Andromeda Strain mini-series is a satisfying if unimaginative slice of apocalyptic sci-fi…
FILM: 6 EXTRAS: 5
DVD Info:
Certificate: 15
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Daniel Dae Kim, Christa Miller, Eric McCormack
Directed By: Mikael Salomon, 2008
Distributor: Universal
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Visuals: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Running Time: 180mins
Price: £19.99
Special Features:
Scene Selection
‘Terra Incognita: Making The Andromeda Strain’ Featurette
‘Visual Effects Breakdown’ Featurette
Photo & Design Gallery
Audio Commentary With Director Mikael Salomon, Executive-Producer David W. Zucker, Executive-Producer Tom Thayer & Editor Scott Vickrey
September 17th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I never understand why tele producers get the idea that re-making cult classic films is a great idea. The original film, was stunning, it has it all, the mystery of the alien, the secret labs, and the great ending, along with the moral of the tale. The tele version is quite frakly rubbish. It’s too long and to sentimental. The bigger use of the militray involvent just got in the way. The actual science was lacking er science. And the cast were sub-standard. I hope the producer who made this will learn that you should never mess with a classic again.