Virus

Maybe there's nothing special about this film. There is little originality in the plot and its treatment, good as they are, and if you wish to be hypercritical you can easily find a few flaws and implausibilities. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, and am glad that the main character wasn't killed off at the end. Many seem to find ultimate tragedy obligatory to avoid predictability. The genre frequently has muscle-bound macho males (no names mentioned), sometimes toting improbable weapons, blasting everything in sight as they move mindlessly in and out of tight situations. This movie has a personable young female handling tight situations with little more than her extremely sharp wits, which I much prefer, and that's not due entirely to my own gender. There is a clear plot, which develops at a smart rate and holds the interest. There is also food for thought in this film, as there are real issues underlying the story, even though it is fictional.

While not an expert in these matters, I thought the direction and photography were above average for a TVM. I was delighted to find DVDs available on the Amazon Marketplace at extremely keen prices, and have ordered a copy of the Odyssey version (Region 2, 2002). There is also a Fremantle version (Region 1, 2006). They are listed under the title 'Formula For Death' which was the title as shown on TV yesterday. I look forward to watching this again. Incidentally, searching for the DVD title 'Virus' leads to an entirely different story featuring Jamie Lee Curtis.

Nothing else to watch Saturday June 17, 2006; I'll try this one about a spreading virus; they are usually good. That is not a spoiler, after all, the title is "VIRUS."

The screenplay was OK as it progressed until the last reel. Then ... and I will not give any spoiler at all; it just became sort of ... 'cartoon-a-rooney!

This is the first bad review that I have given. The ending was so obvious and expected, as it rolled to the conclusion; I was telling my dog what was coming next, but I think he already had guessed.

I wish LIFETIME would make movies in Hollywood, where the talent is. Oh well.

predic

Yep, pretty similar to Outbreak, but it does a fairly good job.

The usual American TVM stuff; naff cliches, overacting, lots of hairspray, the usual TVM faces, a happy ending and a soft picture finish.

Best bit is when Sheridan whacks fatty doctor round the chops with a spade - made me laugh out loud...

The plot isn't bad too, which rises this above the normal 2/3/4's that yer average TVM gets. But not that much!

5/10

Granted this movie bears a few resemblances to Outbreak, namely that they are both about viruses, but one, "Virus" is about Ebola, a REAL virus for which there is no cure, while "Outbreak" is about a fictional virus. Two, "Virus" is about a virus intentionally spread by humans, while "Outbreak" is about a virus spread by a monkey. THREE, "Virus" is based on a book titled "Outbreak", written by the great Robin Cook. Four,"Virus" is centered on the CDC, while "Outbreak" the virus is dealt with by USAMRIID(the military). Personally, I think "Virus" would have made a better movie on the big screen, as I enjoyed it more than the motion picture "Outbreak".

This movie was based on Robin Cook's Outbreak, but could not be named that because the motion picture Outbreak (starring Dustin Hoffman) was already out. This movie was a good depiction of Dr. Cook's novel, the basic plot of which is similar to that in many of his other books. You will enjoy it if you like medical drama.