Two Words, One Answer.
Rick Salomon
 The Andromeda Strain Miniseries $19.98 The second attempt at bringing Michael Crichton's novel, "The Andromeda Strain", to the screen is an interesting conundrum to ponder - not in terms of the film itself, which is very bad - but in terms of the differences in tone between it and it's predecessor. 1971's original big-screen outing (directed by Robert Wise) was a weirdly compulsive tale of a group of predominantly white, predominately middle-aged and elderly research virologists doing battle with a mysterious extra-terrestrial virus inadvertently unleashed on a small Californian town by a downed Satellite. Set predominantly in a sealed underground research bunker which could be cauterized by a Nuclear blast should the threat of contamination become too great, the film boast a cast of virtual unknowns, a weirdly atonal electronic score by Gil Mell, an uncomfortably claustrophobic, tense atmosphere and some splendid use of abstract shot-framing and split-screen. There was very little in the way of action, big explosions and histrionics and it remains a faithful adaptation of Crichton's book (which, if you've never read it, is one of his best and one of the most splendidly ominous and worryingly authentic first-contact novels ever written.) This made for TV remake was apparently co-produced by Tony and Ridley Scott, but given it's tone and timbre, it might just as well have been produced by Michael Bay. And I don't mean that as a compliment. From the outset, the audience is beaten over the head with CGI and bombast; the research virologists are now all forty and under, impossibly good-looking and fit and of a racial mix hardly seen outside of Benetton commercials; Humvees seem to cram the frame every two minutes; gunfire and explosions break out with sporadic abandon and we are treated to more impassioned histrionics that one would generally expect to see in an episode of "The Bold And The Beautiful" - seriously, I kept waiting for Ridge to stagger through the bunker (which seems to be perpetually lit like the chill-out room of a nightclub) and demand to see Stephanie and Taylor. Oh yeah, then there's the virus itself. It's no longer just an extra-terrestrial virus - now its also sentient, telepathic and has come through a wormhole from the future. Nanotechnology, which is fast acquiring the irritancy and, one assumes, will acquire the obsolescence factor that Virtual Reality helmets did in the nineties, also crops up *yawn* There's also, wouldn't you know it, a big army conspiracy behind the whole thing which is hunting your obligatory drug-addled, wise-guy journalist (played by Eric McCormack from "Will And Grace" - who looks so out of place that I kept wishing that Jack McFarland would turn up and comfort him at his 'mannary'), a character that is completely extraneous in terms of the story. There's also the worrying hint at the end that the producers may be contemplating a sequel. In every way bigger, louder and brasher than it's predecessor, this film is also vastly dumber and more irritating. One day, maybe producers will realize that in the case of source material which is this good, you don't need extraneous trappings; just good actors, a decent script and a director who knows where to point a camera.  Over There - The Battle Begins (Pilot Episode) $9.98 This was a well done television series about the war in Iraq,for me it brought back memories of my military service,and how soldiers cope in their own way with their situation. Someone wrote,war is hell,thats a fact,I never missed this series when it was on,the producer and writers did a good job. Everyone should watch this.  Over There (13 Episodes) $29.98 Over There is an exciting step into the eyes of our US army while over seas in Iraq. The ups and downs of information and support. The days of the new US military are here and this shows a good reason why our military needs your support for now and forever. |
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