Not bad but...
The movie is certainly not as good as Without Warning -the masterpiece of the "genre". Fail Safe deals with a similar issue and it is far more engaging -both versions of it.
shareI like Without Warning. But I disagree that it's better than Special Bulletin, which I like considerably more. Among other differences, Special Bulletin remains firmly rooted in realistic possibility. Without Warning is more like a Twilight Zone episode, fun but not to be taken too seriously.
***Without Warning Spoilers***
In particular, the basic premise of Without Warning doesn't stand up to much scrutiny. Aliens initiate first contact by hurling space rocks at earth - which they apparently think is okay as long as the death and destruction toll is low. It doesn't occur to an advanced civilization that throwing rocks at someone is not the best way to say hello?
And then they decide to kill us all when we "misintepret" their intent?!
Apparently their home planet is Alpha Schizophrenia.
As for Fail-Safe, the original is one of my favorite movies and I think one of the very best cold war cautionary tales. And I agree with the implication that it is the best of the three movies. It is considerably more engaging and chilling, in my opinion. However, I don't think Fail-Safe and either of the other two movies, both television productions employing a gimmicky point of view, are particularly comparable. Fail-Safe is in a heavier weight class.
As for the recent remake of Fail Safe, it simply did not engage me. I tried but could not prevent myself from drifting in and out while trying to watch it. And what's the point anyway? To cash in on the star power of a great contemporary cast? I'd much rather just watch the original again instead.
Somedays it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.share