It seemed a good idea: remake the original 'Andromeda Strain' movie, with the screen play being written by the original author: Michael Crichton. In 2007/2008, the A&E entertainment cable network released a two part mini-series reworking of the original classic. Whereas the first movie was heavily dependant upon the novel, the remake barely resembles the original story. If I didn't know better, I would have swore that this was produced by the Sci-Fi Channel's low-budget Sci-Fi movies. It plays like that anyways: average script, fairly stilted dialogue, good special effects and has-been actors filling the script roster out. The series is worth watching, but nothing in it is memorable except for the last hour and first hour. The rest of the movie is largely filler and character interplay. Michael Crichton, the author of Jurassic Park, passed away last month and probably didn't have much say in this script. The best way to describe this remake is: remade movie with the original concept the same, otherwise everything else is different. If you think this review as helpful, please check the box below: Jeff Feezle of MacafeezRead full review
First let me say that I am somewhat a purest when it comes to movies and remakes generally are never better than the original. Having said that, I am giving this remake a below average only because some of the special effects pulled it up from 'POOR' and does not even hold a candle to the original movie made in 1971. I realize the movie was made to fill a 4 hour time slot (with commercials), however there were to many minutes of fill scenes which caused it to drag badly, especially in the last two hours, even with the seemed forced action scenes, which I believe were just thrown in to try and wake viewers up and re-write the story more, which leaves many unanswered questions. It has been years since I read the book but as memory serves the only thing based on the book (not to give away too much of the story) is a satellite crashes to Earth close to Piedmont and is taken to the Wildfire facility. May be it is a sign of the times, but, "Why do so many movies have to make political statements?", which also detracted from the original story line. Well that is my 2 cents worth ... and you get what you pay for.Read full review
Very happy with my purchase. Movie dvd was as advertised. Got it on time. Thank you. Five stars.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Based on Michael Chrichton's best-selling book, fans will not be disappointed with the theatrical representation of his novel. In this thriller, the future seems closer than ever before. A virus is introduced into the Earth's environment and spreads like wild-fire, affecting humans, animals and the environment. Relationships are presented in a way that does not steal the show from the overall adventure. Watchers will appreciate that there is no gratuitous boy-meets-girl sub-story. Love and family are part of the over-all depiction of the story, making it more personal and providing impetus to the fast-paced effort to contain and eradicate the lethal virus. As a side-note: Medical/scientific procedures, treatments, research, protocol and terminology are accurately represented: there are no incorrect medical references (often a source of annoyance in other medical/scientific dramas). A personal favorite, this one you can watch over and over again, and each time, see new and interesting facets of the characters, the scenes, story-line and implications for a future not-so-far away. A scary side-note is that watchers will be able to draw a disconcerting parallel between current events (viral pandemic/epidemic fears). No gratuitous sexual references, no excessive "adult-themes" or language, no excessive gore makes this a movie that can be enjoyed by ages 10 and up (in my opinion). Another side-note, the casting is brilliant. Also it's nice to note that the overall casting represents current demographics fairly accurately (which always helps the believability of a story).Read full review
This is an updated version of the same story from Crichton's novel. Additional story elements have been added to make it more applicable to today's viewers. Especially engaging are the elements of discovery in the lab. These are a bit different from the original 1971 film. Character exploration shows them to be more grey than strictly good or bad. The political intrigues were as expected. There are a few incongruities regarding nuclear fallout and airborne pathogens, but the story is served. Pacing is pretty good for the 3 hours of storytelling.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
It is very good -- but not as good as the original. And neither video is as good as the book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
PROBABLY AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL MOVIE BUT THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC IS JUST OK, JUST NOT AS GOOD AS THE MOVIE'S
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
i never saw the original 1971 version nor did i read the book. so i am seeing this with no knowledge of how it was intended to look. i found my self drawn into the whole thing ok there may have been a slow scene that was kinda filler but for the most part i was stuck right there through 3 hours of entertainment, i am not a big sci fi person and though this was not totally believable it is not too far out there either. a virus could spread and mutate maybe not as fast or as destructive but it could happen, so that may have been what made the movie for me. an object crashes to earth in a small utah town, carrying a deadly virus. the only survivors are an old farmer and a baby. so a group of high tech scientist are called up by the gov't, taken to an underground lab that was specially designed for a situation like this. they are given samples to try to kill off before it spreads. too late... now it is race against the virus to stop it before it hits the colorado river.Read full review
DVD arrived, thanks. I would not exactly call it "Like New" the DVD badly needed a good cleaning.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A very sci-fi and enjoyable televent, reminiscent of the science presented in the golden age of Star Trek. That being said, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. Unless you have a background in science, or even have a University education, you won't understand the science at all. The reason this miniseries got generally unfavourable reviews was because this kind of entertainment can only appeal to intellectuals. If you're a sci-fi fan/Star Trek fan, you would enjoy this.
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