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Jeers: What a Strain!

080528mccormack.jpg
Eric McCormack in The Andromeda Strain by Diyah Pera/A&E
Jeers to Eric McCormack for his laughable performance in The Andromeda Strain. The Emmy-winner was clearly looking for a change of pace after playing straight-laced Will Truman for eight seasons on Will & Grace, but his role as drug-addicted, unshaven TV muckraker Jack Nash in A&E's overheated adaptation of Michael Crichton's viral thriller is far from intoxicating. It doesn't help that McCormack seems stuck in sitcom rhythms with his too-glib line readings. Even Geraldo isn't this ridiculous.

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Posted by Bruce Fretts
May 27, 2008 6:00 PM
The whole thing was embarrassing to watch. Too bad.
Posted by Marcus Dixon
May 27, 2008 6:14 PM
Well to be fair, the role was pretty ridiculous before McCormack ever as much as uttered a line. I mean an action hero investigative television reporter? Really? How many oxymorons can you fit into a single character description?
Posted by alynch
May 27, 2008 10:15 PM
I was hoping this would be a super-cheesy, over-the-top mock-fest.
That's just what my family likes for a rainy Sunday afternoon, so I'll get some popcorn and Red Vines and we should be all set.
Good news!
Posted by curluplw
May 27, 2008 10:29 PM
I liked it. Guess I am in the minority. And I liked all the performances.
Posted by lellyred
May 28, 2008 10:39 AM
lellyred, you are not in the minority, I liked the whole movie a lot. Eric McCormack's character was fine to me. I was happy to see him break away from the Will role, unkept and a hot mess.

I think it was a very interesting journey into the not so distant future. As far as I could tell most of that was completely plausible with a sci fi twist with the worm hole singularity.
Posted by Lexly
May 28, 2008 10:48 AM
Although I enjoyed this version, everyone should do themselves a BIG favor and check out the theatrical version starring Arthur Hill and James Olsen. Much better EVERYTHING.

Sometimes simpler is better.
Posted by lvk1978
May 28, 2008 11:12 AM
Well I am glad that Im not in the minority. I do think Eric was a hot mess too! LOL
Posted by lellyred
May 28, 2008 12:02 PM
I would have to say that I kinda liked it. It was cheesy and the acting was poor, but it kept my attention. It was perfect timing because all the shows are rerunning Part one was better than part two. I guess it was a guilty pleasure.

Wonder how the ratings were?
Posted by Jam fan
May 28, 2008 1:23 PM
I liked it as well. I thought the first part was a bit (a lot) slow and draggy (not sure if that's an actual word, but you get my drift) but it picked up once the plane malfunctioned & bomb hit.

I liked Viola Davis' performance very well. She doesn't often get the chance to play a lead character.

Eric McCormack as a 'hot mess' was good, as was Daniel Dae Kim and Rick Schroeder. Benjamin Bratt & Rick Schroeder were a little dull and annoying to me.
Posted by dragon530
May 28, 2008 1:30 PM
Did anyone actually read the book and see the original. I have this on DVR and want to know if it's worth the time. The book was amazing and the original movie was pretty true to the book. Yes hard to believe, but they did that some time ago. Now you can use the book as a coaster for your coffee while you watch the movie (See Bourne Iden... well any of them, not that the movies weren't great, they was nothing like the books)

Should I waste 4 hours?
Posted by amarty33
May 28, 2008 2:20 PM
Should I waste 4 hours?

If you have room on your DVR you could save it for "summertime emergency rations." That's what I call shows I probably wouldn't watch in the fall when there are lots of things to chose from, but in the summer when you have to pick between reruns or reality shows? Eh, it's not the worst you could do. (With the caveat that nothing is ever as good as the book and I heard they changed a few things up from the original movie.)

Especially this summer - most of the usual summer series (The Closer, Monk, Psych, Eureka, Rescue Me, Damages) aren't premiering until mid-July or next January because of the writer's strike. By the end of June The Andromeda Strain might look real entertaining. :)
Posted by Kailess
May 28, 2008 2:30 PM
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