Andromeda Strain: Part One
May 27, 2008 by Cynthia
Did you catch the first part of Andromeda Strain on A&E last night? What did you think? I’ve seen some complaining but I liked it — a lot, and I can’t wait for tonight’s big finale.
Earlier in the week, I popped in the original Andromeda Strain and found it too slow moving for my tastes. It certainly has that classic scifi feel of a 2001 or Fantastic Voyage, but it didn’t keep me glued to the TV.
The new version moves at a much quicker pace, and there’s more of a balance between the scientists in the Wildfire lab and the people outside. I love the reporter angle, but I’m having a hard time buying Eric McCormick in the role. He’s a great comic actor, I just can’t see him as a hard news reporter.
The Wildfire team were all well cast. Benjamin Bratt takes the lead well and Daniel Dae Kim is perfect as the scientist with a chip on his shoulder. Ricky Schroeder, who is a much better actor than he gets credit for, fits in well as the “odd man.” Christa Miller and Viola Davis are a bit underused, but Davis in particular works well in the story.
One of the advantages of updating a movie like this, is the use of digital effects that weren’t available when the original was made. The high-tech gadgets here are so seamless you buy into them without question — the computer chip “paper”, the touch-screen Wildfire lab map — all very smooth.
On the other hand, I could have lived without some of the updated violence, such as the guy who chainsawed his own head off. Gross.
One fun note, since the movie was filmed in Vancouver it’s packed with guest stars from Supernatural and Stargate Atlantis. “Hey. . I know him. . . he was that demon Sam and Dean were torturing last week. . . ”
Don’t miss the exciting conclusion of The Andromeda Strain, tonight on A&E.
I liked this version of The Andromeda Strain though I don’t know that I like it better than the original. I thought the reporter angle didn’t really accomplish what it should have.
I noticed that this version incorporated elements from some of Michael Crichton’s other novels, especially Prey. While I was watching, I thought:
“The Andromeda Strain meets Prey meets Sphere meets State of Fear.”
I’ll write more later. Now I’m reading the novel again.
This remake is dreadful. No tension, actors just walking through their lines, and stupid Hollywood effects trying to fill it out. Granted the original movie is slow, but this one is painful.
I’m loving this version. I recorded Parts 1 and 2, and am watching part 2 tonight.
In part 1, when the guy lobbed his own head off, I knew this was special.
Here’s an interview with the screenwriter Robert Schenkkan:
“This Modern Plague”
By Bill Florence, Starlog, June 2008
http://www.starlog.com/fearful_feature.php?id=2290
Here’s an excerpt about Michael Crichton:
”According to Schenkkan, Crichton wasn’t involved this time (he frequented the set of the first film, and even had a small cameo). “I would love to meet Michael,” the screenwriter says. “He’s a busy person. I gather he was happy for us to go off and do this.”
There’s also a website http://www.whathappenedinpiedmont.com/