Andromeda Strain Information and DVD Review

A deadly bacteria – code named The Andromeda Strain – is let loose after a US government satellite crash-lands in Utah. The bacteria unleashes a lethal plague that wipes out an entire town leaving only two survivors – an old man and an infant –to provide clues to immunizing the population. As the military tries to contain the spreading disaster, only a hastily assembled team of scientists can hope to find a cure and stop the Andromeda Strain from spreading.

Official Press Release:

A&E ORIGINAL TWO-NIGHT TELEVISION EVENT “THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN” PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 26 AND TUESDAY, MAY 27 FROM 9-11 PM ET/PT

FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS RIDLEY AND TONY SCOTT

STARRING BENJAMIN BRATT, ERIC MCCORMACK, RICKY SCHRODER,

ANDRE BRAUGHER, CHRISTA MILLER, DANIEL DAE KIM & VIOLA DAVIS

NEW YORK, NY – April 1, 2008 –It’s a bad day to be human this Memorial Day when THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN infects the airwaves. The four-hour original A&E television event will premiere in High Definition on Monday, May 26 from 9-11 PM ET/PT and Tuesday, May 27 from 9-11 PM ET/PT.

Based on the best-selling novel from Michael Crichton, the miniseries stars Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, Daniel Dae Kim and Viola Davis.

In THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, a U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors. As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named “Andromeda,” and a reporter investigates a government conspiracy only to discover what he is chasing wants him silenced.

THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN is produced by Scott Free Productions and Traveler’s Rest Films in association with Universal Pictures for A&E Network. Executive producers are Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free and Tom Thayer for Traveler’s Rest Films. Mikael Salomon is director and co-executive producer and the screenplay is written by Robert Schenkkan.

About A&E Network

Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment; ranging from the network’s signature Real-Life Series franchise, including the hit series “Intervention,” “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” “The First 48” and “Criss Angel Mindfreak,” to critically acclaimed original movies, dramatic series and the most successful justice shows on cable. A&E is the official basic cable home to the high-profile series “The Sopranos” and “CSI: Miami.” The A&E Network website is located at www.aetv.com. The A&E Insider is located at www.aetv.com/insider. For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.

Our Review of Andromeda Strain

I happened to have read the book before I saw the original movie. I was still fairly young and found the book on my parents library shelf. My mom said it was a good book, and she was correct. I enjoyed the book very much so. There are very few works of literature that I have read twice (I am am avid (although streaky) reader and would rather read something new than re-read what I had already done), but the Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton is on that short list. It was science fiction, it was drama and it was good writing (without being too "pop"). When I first saw the movie on television (a few years after it was originally released in 1971), I did not enjoy it as much as the book, but still enjoyed the visualization of what I had read and how it played out on the screen. Although it was the late 70's, Star Wars had overshadowed any Science Fiction movie that was ever made and even those that were made for years afterwards. Now lets skip another 30 years into the future and the movie is now being released as a four part mini-series. As with almost each of the remakes that have been released over the last few years, I had little hope that this would be of any cinematic or entertainment value.

I have never seen Titanic. Why? First, when it came out I thought that Leonardo DiCaprio was overhyped and really did not want to see a movie where I already know the ending just by reading the title (Spoiler: The ship sinks. End of Spoiler). After already seeing the movie and read the book, I already know how this ends as well and it is the drama leading up to the unknown ending that is what made the story so good. But then again, I did read the book twice, knowing the plot's outcome, so I figured I would give this another try. I am glad that I did.

The mini-series follows the story of the book, however, a major change can be seen right away - this version is set in 2008. Then the makeup or character descriptions and personalities of the characters in the mini-series have also undergone changes as well -- these are not the "people" you know from the book or the movie, but still carry out the roles of their predecessors. Although their attitudes have been updated to the 21st century, they still work with the original plot of the book.

I have only been privileged to see the first episode of the four part series, and I cannot wait to see the second episode. The main reason is the acting. The cast is not made up of big name stars, but actors and actresses that both fit in with the script and know how to act. The only semi 'big name" stars are Benjamin Bratt (Law and Order) and to a certain degree Rickey Schroder (NYPD Blue, Silver Spoons), but they were perfect for their roles. The cast seemed to have a great chemistry between them and I think that it allowed their characters to become believable and enhance the drama of the crisis at hand. The special effects were not bad, not Star Wars, but fairly good for a made-for-TV special and there were some very interesting scenes that were added into the series that were only eluded to in the book. Not to kill the plot, but yes, the drunk and baby are still in this version.

I really cannot wait to see Part II, and I hope to watch it at the same time as the rest of you.

Andromeda Strain

Mini Series based on the Novel by Michael Crichton

Official Press Release:

About A&E Network

Our Review of Andromeda Strain

Pictures from the Andromeda Strain

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Andromeda Strain

Mini Series based on the Novel by Michael Crichton

Official Press Release:

About A&E Network

Our Review of Andromeda Strain

Pictures from the Andromeda Strain

Send mail to PopStarsPlus@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2004-2008 Pop Stars Plus®, a subsidiary of Gift Ideas Plus®, unless indicated otherwise.

Send mail to PopStarsPlus@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004-2008 Pop Stars Plus®, a subsidiary of Gift Ideas Plus®, unless indicated otherwise.