The Andromeda Strain (2008)

48% of users liked it
(3,255 ratings)

In "The Andromeda Strain," a U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors. As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named "Andromeda," and a reporter… More In "The Andromeda Strain," a U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors. As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named "Andromeda," and a reporter investigates a government conspiracy only to discover what he is chasing wants him silenced. Like the 1970's version, this TV movie is based on the Michael Crichton novel of the same name.

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 3 hr.
Directed By: Mikael Salomon
Genres: Television, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 11, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2008
Studio: A & E

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
For every admirable bit of solid sci-fi drama, there's a clunky slice of overwrought rubbish that reminds us we're watching a goofy TV movie.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
It's very tough for me to not enjoy apocalypse films, and this was time well spent...
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
Average %u2014 if somewhat over-familiar . . .

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

An unidentified contagion that causes its victims to die almost instantly crash lands in the back woods of the USA creating a race against time to contain its deadly effects. A 3 hour mini series produced by brothers Ridley and Tony Scott, The Andromeda Strain is based on a book by… More
An unidentified contagion that causes its victims to die almost instantly crash lands in the back woods of the USA creating a race against time to contain its deadly effects. A 3 hour mini series produced by brothers Ridley and Tony Scott, The Andromeda Strain is based on a book by Michael (Jurassic Park) Crichton. The first half of the story is actually very promising, with an intriguing premise and eerie scenes of desolation in the aftermath of the impact on a small town. The solid if solidly small screen bound cast do adequate jobs and the direction and visual effects are stylish enough. Unfortunately the second half descends into ridiculous B-movie melodrama as the interesting science bound mystery is replaced by unconvincingly contrived races against time and gratuitous explosions. It reminded me a little of those two part X Files in the later series that served up nice ideas in the first part just to screw it up in the second with contrived and unbelievable plot twists and pointless running around. Far from the worst TV sci-fi you're going to see, but the movie was a lot better (and shorter).
Dean M

I can't begin to say all that is bad about this extremely long terribly boring mini-series. First off the script is terrible. Besides the script even the effects and the acting is wooden. This wouldn't be as bad if it weren't for the fact that you have to endure this… More
I can't begin to say all that is bad about this extremely long terribly boring mini-series. First off the script is terrible. Besides the script even the effects and the acting is wooden. This wouldn't be as bad if it weren't for the fact that you have to endure this for 4 HOURS!!! Well... not counting commercials it is probably ONLY 3 hours but even still it is just not watching. It made me fell asleep from watching for hours.
Stefan P

I haven't read the book or seen the original movie but I thought this was pretty enjoyable. Sure, it is unrealistic with giant plot holes (watching it twice and noticing all flaws must be horrible) but the story is interesting and mysterious which kept the tension up. Forgettable… More
I haven't read the book or seen the original movie but I thought this was pretty enjoyable. Sure, it is unrealistic with giant plot holes (watching it twice and noticing all flaws must be horrible) but the story is interesting and mysterious which kept the tension up. Forgettable but still good for a TV movie.
Sean S

Not terrible for a TV adaptation a little rough here and there and wildly divergent from the book and earlier movie. A bit of a political statement about how little you can trust people in power and their foresight because their lust for power and greed blind them, why else are they… More
Not terrible for a TV adaptation a little rough here and there and wildly divergent from the book and earlier movie. A bit of a political statement about how little you can trust people in power and their foresight because their lust for power and greed blind them, why else are they in power.
alan j

remake of the original classic...this movie made for tv has more action and side stories to fill in the added length of time...produced by the Scott brothers, this version seems to branch off into various areas including government conspiracy which at times detracts from the story at… More
remake of the original classic...this movie made for tv has more action and side stories to fill in the added length of time...produced by the Scott brothers, this version seems to branch off into various areas including government conspiracy which at times detracts from the story at hand..acting is decent...special efx an improvement over the original but overall the movie should have been kept at a shorter length focusing more on the underground lab...worth a watch especially if you are into bio-thrillers
FanGirl B

Fairly decent for a TV movie. Probably two hours longer than it needed to be and a lot of unfinished/unexplained subplots. Even the actors seemed disintrested half the time. But some decent scifi stuff going on.
Jason R

Kept my attention throughout and some of the scenes were really great, but by the end of the movie I was left feeling a little disappointed, I don't know if maybe they had made it a longer mini-series then it would of been better. The cast was great little weird seeing Daniel Dae… More
Kept my attention throughout and some of the scenes were really great, but by the end of the movie I was left feeling a little disappointed, I don't know if maybe they had made it a longer mini-series then it would of been better. The cast was great little weird seeing Daniel Dae Kim in an English speaking role since his character on lost barely speaks English, but he was probably my favorite out of the cast, and Benjamin Bratt's a damn good actor so all in all okay movie, with a great plot, and cast.