DVD: Why I Love “The Andromeda Strain”
By stephanie - Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006
1971′s sci-fi thriller “The Andromeda Strain” may seem slow to modern audiences, but I love it. Based on Michael Crichton’s book, the film follows a group of scientists as they rush to find a cure for a deadly pathogen from outer space.
I’ve seen “The Andromeda Strain” a couple of times on TV, but it’s cut and edited. Renting the DVD is far superior – you get the full widescreen picture and the entire film, including all the decontamination sequences.
Some might complain that the film is very slow – it’s not laced with a ton of action shots or running around (except at the end) – and the soundtrack is minimal. I have a great nostalgia, however, for that sparse 70s style of filmmaking. I find it to be gripping in another way.
More nostalgia and kitsch can be found with the gleaming, sparse sets, the ancient computers, and the special effects. And while we may laugh at those effects, they were extremely difficult to create back then, when computer graphics were non-existent. It’s a good idea to watch the “Making of” bonus feature after you finish the film. You’ll have new respect for those old “cheesy” effects.
“The Andromeda Strain” boasts some classic lines, memorable images, and characters. Who doesn’t love Ruth, the smart alecky, epileptic scientist?
As sci-fi films go, “The Andromeda Strain” is one of the best from the early 70s and a classic. Check it out when you get a chance.