The Andromeda Strain (1971)
This is really a case of “they don’t make them like this anymore”-type of movie. Like with Westworld it is simple science fiction concept where the story naturally takes off from there. Everything is told and shown in isolation, everyone has a role to fulfill and all is basically goes straight to work on the problem.
What is so refreshing is how focused it is and that it respects its viewers to follow along without unnatural levels of exposition. The people are scientists and generally talk and act like ones. Also, they don’t look like supermodels. There may not be a ton of character development, but I feel like a hard science fiction plot doesn’t need that here, because there is enough tension and drama within the problem they need the solve and the methodical scientific process they apply. I also enjoy reading that specific kind of science fiction and it isn’t the kind that gets made into movies that often.
Rating: 4.5