Pandora's Clock (1996)

This is good made-for-TV thriller, where a professor contracts a deadly virus before he boards a plane with over 200 passengers, endangering the lives of everybody on board. To make things worst, the plane can't land in any country for fear of spreading the virus to the human population, and a secret U.S. government plan to shoot down the plane complicates things even more.Eric Laneuville did a pretty good job in directing this movie, grabbing your attention from start to finish as the plot quickly identifies the story's main issue, the Doomsday Virus, which Professor Ernest Helms (Michael Winters) contracts from a thief after filming a documentary. The issue is then expanded after Helms boards a plane with over 200 people on board, threatening to spread the virus. All these plot elements and twists in determining the fate of the plane passengers and the government's secret plan to deal with the issue make this a very exciting TV movie that will give you an edge-of-your-seat experience.The acting was pretty good for the most part and the characters were engaging; ***spoiler ahead, but does not give away ending*** just didn't like the part of the screaming mother who didn't heed to the military's warnings about leaving the plane. That scene put a damper on an otherwise suspenseful movie. ***spoiler ends*** It is a good way to spend three hours or so before the television when you have nothing else to watch. Even the title, Pandora's Clock, is an attention grabber - something that is suitable and mysterious for this doomsday thriller.Grade B

I've seen a lot of TV movies in my time as a student, the majority the normal waste of time that US television throws out. This one, however, was well crafted and plotted and had a very nice twist at the end. Having only seen Richard Dean Anderson in MacGyver and Stargate I was surprised with his excellent performance rather than the rather gamut of expressions from A-B that he normally gives. It was a pleasant surprise to see Daphne Zuniga after quite a long time dating back to The Fly II. Also nice to see Robert Guillaumme in a leading role again. I can't say that I ever take Jane Leeves seriously after her Benny Hill days but she just about managed to cope well in her role. All in all a highly recommended film.

"Pandora's Clock" is a gripping suspense/thriller that's a cross between a virus movie and a disaster film. This movie, which aired in two parts on NBC in its debut showing in 1996, is about an airplane flight that becomes infected with a virus when one of the passengers just happens to be carrying this disease. The U.S. Government debates on whether the plane should be destroyed or not, while the pilot (Richard Dean Anderson) and a virus expert (Daphne Zuniga) try to figure something out to avoid disaster. I'm not really a big fan of TV movies and miniseries, but I liked "Pandora's Clock". It's one heck of a thrill ride. Jane Leeves (TV's "Frasier"), Robert Loggia, and Edward Herrmann (as the President) also star.*** (out of four)

I really enjoyed watching this. It gripped me throughout and was quite believable. Good plot, interesting characters, and great pace.My only quibble would be that there was a bit of over-the-top in a couple of scenes. Also, there was much material that could have been expanded on. While the close of the movie does provoke much thought, there was much that could have been added (though it would have required another hour or two) in political matters, but that's simply my preference.All in all, a great movie. I only wish my VCR had been running.