Review of The Andromeda Strain (1971) by Andrew V — 15 Mar 2010
A thinking person's science fiction movie, which doesn't rely on huge explosions, an A-list cast or pretty people to sell itself (although, being the 1970s, there is one gratuitous booby shot).
The attention to detail is superb, even if the 'technology' looks a little dated in this day and age. The subject is as topical as it's ever been though - with all the bird flu/swine flu scares of recent times, a pandemic is still one of the scariest things out there.
There is very little action but the tension is still built superbly; using claustrophobia and the time pressures that the scientists face to keep the viewer hooked. The story-telling techniques used are also ahead of their time - a documentary approach to give the tale a heightened sense of verisimilitude and a split-screen technique long before '24' thought of it.
The last ten minutes had me on the edge of my seat. Brilliant.
This review of The Andromeda Strain (1971) was written by Andrew V on 15 Mar 2010.
The Andromeda Strain has generally received positive reviews.
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