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Movies / On DVD / The Andromeda Strain
The Andromeda Strain

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The Andromeda Strain (1971)

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Reviews Counted:24

Fresh:15

Rotten:9

Average Rating:6.3/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: When a small space probe falls to earth in a remote village of New Mexico, all but two of the town's inhabitants--an infant and an old alcoholic--meet death as their blood turns to powder. After... When a small space probe falls to earth in a remote village of New Mexico, all but two of the town's inhabitants--an infant and an old alcoholic--meet death as their blood turns to powder. After two reconnaissance pilots have also perished, a national state of emergency is declared. The two survivors and the recovered space probe are transported to a mammoth five-story underground laboratory, and a team of scientists--biologist Jeremy Stone (Arthur Hill), microbiologist Ruth Leavitt (Kate Reid), blood chemistry authority Mark Hall (James Olson), and pathologist Charles Dutton (David Wayne)--is swiftly brought to the lab to discover the nature of the deadly organism brought by the space probe. The team is subjected to grueling hours of precautionary decontamination measures--which are filmed with extraordinary art direction in stunning monochromatic sequences--and informed that the laboratory complex is equipped with an automatic self-destruct device that will be triggered should infection spread. Through exhaustive tests, the team learns that the minute organism, dubbed the ANDROMEDA STRAIN, is alien in nature, and the scientists must quickly find a cure before all of humanity is wiped out. Quietly thrilling, with superb pacing from director Robert Wise, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, based on the novel by Michael Crichton, is one of the most stylistically beautiful science fiction films ever made. [More]

Starring: James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid

Starring: James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid, Paula Kelly

Director: Robert Wise

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Robert Wise
Composer: Gil Melle

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Andromeda Strain

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
4/5

Ian Nathan

Wise (and Crichton) concoct the most absorbing, riveting take on science fiction tempered with science fact.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 05 2008 10:43 AM

Empire Magazine

tomato

Director Wise takes few liberties with Michael Crichton's breakthrough best-seller and the film is all the stronger for it.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 05 2008 10:42 AM

Channel 4 Film

splat

Geoff Andrew

Wise does rather plod through the plot.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:16 AM

Time Out

tomato

Fernando F. Croce

Disquieting

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 28 2009 12:14 PM

CinePassion

tomato
5/5

Pablo Villaca

Uma ficção-científica inteligente, para adultos, que usa a "ficção" como trampolim para sua fascinante "ciência". E a direção de arte é um espetáculo à parte, mesmo que datada.

comment Comment | Nov., 15 2008 06:52 PM

Cinema em Cena

splat

Dave Kehr

Robert Wise brings his Academy Award-winning sobriety and meticulousness to a pulp tale that cries out for the slapdash vigor of a Roger Corman.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Nov., 05 2008 12:16 PM

Chicago Reader

tomato
2.5/4

An intriguing, suspenseful story is somewhat hampered by a dull cast. The last sequence will have you on the edge of your seat.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 05 2008 10:44 AM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

splat

Variety Staff

Nelson Gidding's adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel is too literal and talky.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 05 2008 10:43 AM

Variety

splat
2/5

Chuck O'Leary

No review available.

comment Comment | May., 07 2007 07:39 PM

FulvueDrive-in.com

tomato
3.5/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding focus on the details and the science of the story, giving it a natural suspense that nearly holds up for the entire 131 minutes.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 18 2005 03:15 AM

Combustible Celluloid

splat
1/5

Kevin Carr

A great book, but a mind-boggling boring movie.

comment 1 Comment | Sep., 02 2005 12:36 PM

7M Pictures

splat
2/5

Emanuel Levy

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 17 2005 09:15 AM

EmanuelLevy.Com

splat
2/5

Roger Greenspun

Nothing very exciting goes on.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 09 2005 03:15 AM

New York Times

tomato
3/5

Robin Clifford

No review available.

comment Comment | Feb., 25 2005 09:23 AM

Reeling Reviews

tomato
5/5

Steve Crum

Studied, fascinating, tense sci-fi classic.

comment Comment | Jan., 03 2005 06:44 AM

Kansas City Kansan

tomato
3/4

Roger Ebert

Splendid entertainment that will get you worried about whether they'll be able to contain that strange blob of alien green crystal.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 23 2004 10:29 PM

Chicago Sun-Times

tomato
5/5

Andy Klein

No review available.

comment Comment | Jun., 19 2004 02:36 AM

Los Angeles CityBeat

splat
C

Dennis Schwartz

The paranoid thriller unfolds at a tedious pace and seems to take forever to develop.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 12 2004 01:05 PM

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

splat
2/5

Bryant Frazer

No review available.

comment Comment | Nov., 17 2003 12:36 PM

Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

tomato
5/5

Aaron Hillis

No review available.

comment Comment | Aug., 23 2003 12:54 AM

Premiere Magazine

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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all

Latest News for The Andromeda Strain

November 05, 2008: Michael Crichton Passes Away (1942-2008)
Best-selling author, screenwriter, and director Michael Crichton has passed away at the age of 66. The medical doctor-turned-filmmaker was best known for writing... More...

September 15, 2005: Hollywood Giant Robert Wise Passes Away at 91
Master filmmaker and 4-time Oscar winner Robert Wise has died at the age of 91. Probably best known as the director of films like "The Sound of Music," "West Side... More...

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