Andromeda Strain (2008)
Synopsis: When a mysterious virus is brought to earth by a returning satellite, an elite and dedicated squad of scientists assembles to search for the truth and stop the mutating killer before it ends life on earth.
Rating: Not Rated.
Run Time: 2 Hours 56 Minutes
Director: Mikael Salomon
Dvd Extra’s: The making of, visual effects breakdowns, photo and design gallery, commentary.
Nudity Factor: No graphic nudity, does contain a woman getting washed down naked, you do see some side breast and then her breasts covered in a foaming soap substance.
Of Note: Originally aired as a two-part miniseries.
Recommendations: Andromeda Strain, The (1971)
I am one of those diligent individuals who always reads the book before watching the movie adaptation. After immersing myself in the pages of the novel, I was curious to see how it would translate onto the big screen. Being the most recent adaptation available at the time of this review, I decided to give it a go.
The movie is a contemporary twist on the timeless tale penned by Michael Crichton. While it has been updated to suit modern tastes, the core essence of the story remains intact. Of course, there are a few creative liberties taken that have ruffled the feathers of some die-hard fans. A junkie reporter and heightened stakes are just a couple of the additions that have stirred up controversy. Personally, I didn’t find these changes to be deal-breakers, but hey, to each their own.
Now, let’s talk about the acting. Daniel Day Kim seemed to have a perpetual smile plastered on his face, even in the face of impending doom. It was a bit distracting, to say the least. The rest of the cast had their moments of brilliance, but also some cringe-worthy misses, especially when the going got tough.
And let’s not forget about the special effects. Let’s just say they were… budget-friendly. From disappearing beaks to less-than-impressive CGI, it’s clear that this movie didn’t break the bank in the effects department. But hey, if you go in with the expectation of some cheesy visuals, you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Overall despite some of the movies flaws I still enjoyed it. The key elements from the book are still here with a few additions that really don’t make the story better or worse, just longer. To be honest though I would not be in a hurry to watch this again but don’t feel like I wasted my time watching it.