Overview: Before he created Westworld and Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton first blurred the line between science fiction and science fact with his breakout success The Andromeda Strain.

Two years after the novel’s publication, Robert Wise (The Haunting) directed the film adaptation, a nail-biting blend of clinically-realized docudrama and astonishing sci-fi visuals that ushered in a new subgenre: the killer virus biological thriller.

A government satellite crashes outside a small town in New Mexico - and within minutes, every inhabitant of the town is dead, except for a crying baby and an elderly derelict. The satellite and the two survivors are sent to Wildfire, a top-secret underground laboratory equipped with a nuclear self-destruct mechanism to prevent the spread of infection in case of an outbreak.

Realizing that the satellite brought back a lethal organism from another world, a team of government scientists race against the clock to understand the extraterrestrial virus - codenamed Andromeda - before it can wipe out all life on the planet.

Aided by innovative visual effects by Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey, Silent Running) and an unforgettable avant-garde electronic music score by Gil Melle (The Sentinel), Wise’s suspense classic still haunts to this day, and is presented here in a stunning, exclusive new restoration from the original negative.

Blu-ray Verdict: The Andromeda Strain, takes us back to a time when sci-fi was more stiff than rigor mortis, back to the days of Star Trek. This film is perhaps a bit too dated but it is not without merit. Like 2001, the story is not driven by plot or character but more about ideas, except this one contains a hundred times more dialogue.

Although people in the Andromeda Strain talk a lot but, they don’t actually have much to say. Sometimes it feels like the Andromeda Strain is more of a science lesson, than an A to Z story. Considering that it comes from the mind of Michael Crichton, perhaps this is not surprising.

It moves at the rate of a snail, but the reason Andromed Strain is watchable, is because director Robert Wise chooses to craft it like a jigsaw puzzle, adding one piece at a time, and it’s never too predictable or formulaic. If you have patience, that should be enough to keep you engaged, waiting to see what comes next.

A space probe has crash landed in a small desert hamlet. When a crew is sent out to inspect they find that the place is dead as a door nail. Not only is everyone lifeless but their blood has solidified and turned to powder. The probe is taken to quarantine in an underground facility where it will be inspected. There may be microscopic life attached on board that could pose a threat to humanity.

By now I can recognize one of Crichton’s trademarks. His introductions are very long. Take for instance Jurassic Park, much of the first third was a tour of the grounds. Also consider Westworld. The story spends too much time on exposition as our protagonists settle into their environment. For the Andromeda Strain, it is not just the introduction, but everything is stretched out. Some filmmakers like to be noble when adapting a novel. They feel it is wrong to cut too much out.

I don’t know if it was intentional, but the film is just as much amusing as it is mysterious. The acting is so unrealistic that sometimes Andromeda Strain resembles one of those numerous 1950’s five minute commercials that talks about rocket science. The sets looks like they were built in an hour. They need a little more dressing up.

The Andromeda Strain is not the kind of sci-fi film that would be financially successful if released today. I think it will appeal to only a limited number of people, but I recommend it to those who prefer mystery over adrenaline. Especially now it is out on spectacular 4K UHD.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless mono audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by critic Bryan Reesman
A New Strain of Science Fiction, an appreciation by critic Kim Newman
The Andromeda Strain: Making the Film, an archive featurette from 2001
directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring interviews with director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding
A Portrait of Michael Crichton, an archival featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring an interview with author Michael Crichton
Cinescript Gallery, highlights from the annotated and illustrated shooting script by Nelson Gidding
Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots
Image gallery
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Peter Tonguette and select archive material
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley

Official Purchase Link