US TV

Preview: The Andromeda Strain (mini-series)

In the US: Memorial Day, 9pm/8c, A&E
In the UK: Not yet acquired

Didn’t I say you should own this a while ago? Oh wait it’s a remake. A mini-series in fact. Let’s start again then.

Michael Jurassic Park/Westworld/Disclosure/Rising Sun Crichton’s first novel was The Andromeda Strain, a scary little book that asked the question "What if an alien virus that was absolutely virulent and lethal came to Earth? What would it be like and how would we deal with it?" After becoming a bestseller, it got turned into a rather excellent movie (which you should own) back in the early 70s.

So do we need a remake? Interesting question, too. Before watching this two-part mini-series, I’d have said no, even if it is "presented by" Tony and Ridley Scott, especially since it’s showing on A&E, which hasn’t done much decent for about a decade.

But you know what? It’s not half bad. It’s different in a lot of ways. It’s better in a lot of ways, too. But is it the best Andromeda Strain so far?

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