Review of The Andromeda Strain (1971) by Simon T — 17 Sep 2017

A tense techno ride with some uptight scientists into a claustrophobic, stark-dead small town that is soon to be incinerated, with or without the scientists - the tension is palpable at times, and this was my favorite tv suspense movies as a kid in the 70s, and still has plenty of grit to fascinate and carry any Sci-fi nerd into geek-heaven.

Michael Crichton and a young Steven Spielberg are all over this nonsense, and it shows.

Spectacularly.

The script lets you understand the starchy experts as strong yet frail and understanding humans, and unknowingly you slowly begin to care about them and their plight. A creeping anxiety rises as you try to figure out what is going on here, right along with the scientists.

Great nuanced characters, tight intelligent script, taut direction, this one is still a winner if you are willing to hop on the rollercoaster, follow its lead to the nail-biter finale, and forgive some kitschy 70s bits.

...In comparison, I was appalled by a cheesy, tension-free, careless mess that was supposedly a 2008 update.

That one SUCKS.

Out-of-Work actors phoning it in while on vacation. It aggravate s me just thinking about how stupid it was when the original was so well done...

Back To the original -its dated, yes, but Brilliant, all the way thru. In fact, I've just talked myself into watching it again - the adult one this time...

-its not THAT adult, btw..lol.

4 pairs of moon boots out of 5.