The Drone Virus: Special Edition

The Drone Virus: Special Edition
by Damon O'Steen

The Drone Virus: Special Edition
List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $2.39
You Save: $12.59 (84%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.48 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Billy Wirth, Maeve Quinlan
Director: Damon O'Steen
Brand: BCI ECLIPSE LLC
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 96 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-10-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Bci / Eclipse

DVD Reviews of The Drone Virus: Special Edition

DVD Review: Well done, with a final surprise twist
Summary: 4 Stars

The movie was an enjoyable thriller/mystery that features a final twist at the end which I will not spoil. Although adequately foreshadowed, there are some events that don't quite make sense in the new light, so it's slightly unsatisfying, like it was tacked on at the end rather than building towards it.

What really bothers me about the movie is the central idea that a MRI machine can kill people due to malicious code inserted into its firmware. The "drone virus" refers to a computer virus that allows PCs to become zombies and due to bidding of the controller. This is a problem with unsecured Windows PCs in real life, but the malware here is not a virus at all, but does allow remote operation, in this case to fry patient's brains.

So, how does an MRI fry someone's brain, making it looks like some kind of unknown seizure? They say repeatedly that it "increases the radiation". Well, an MRI doesn't involve radiation of any kind, but rather uses a big magnet to align the water molecules in the body; when the field is switched off the molecules swing back, emitting a very faint signal that is picked up by the machine. The radio frequency used might be considered "radiation", it is not "ionizing radiation" meaning it doesn't knock things loose from molecules in the body, and doesn't cause any damage whatsoever. The only risks involve flying metal objects, and getting too hot.

I worry that this will only create fear of a machine that is perfectly safe, or perhaps is a symptom that such misplaced fear already exists in the general population. Perhaps the book was better (more technically plausible) and the movie messed it up?

Like many movies these days, it will be enjoyed more if you don't know anything about computers. In this case, it's also enjoyable if you don't know anything about medical imaging or general knowledge of what MRI actually is. And if that's you, remember that this is fiction and sabotage, not an inherent danger in the technology.
More The Drone Virus: Special Edition reviews:
1

Description of The Drone Virus: Special Edition

What If The Cure For Cancer Came With A Price?Stephen Roland (Billy Wirth - The Lost Boys) faces this horrifying dilemma in The Drone Virus a film by Damon O'Steen (29 Reasons to Run) based on the novel by Dr. Gerald Clarke.Jamie Roland (Talia-Lynn Prairie - The Cat in the Hat) has beaten neuroblastoma a terrifying childhood cancer. But when Jamie dies after an MRI scan at the famous St. Mark's hospital no one will tell Stephen the truth. The MRI has malfunctioned other times killing other innocents other children but the company that created the scanner denies all responsibility.When Stephen appeals for an investigation tapping into evidence of the probability of a computer virus being the cause the hospital stonewalls him. Dr. Jameson (Michael Ensign - Titanic) the hospital's powerful pathologist is especially determined to stop him. No one will dare help Stephen except Dr. Colleen O'Brian (Maeve Quinlan - The Bold and The Beautiful) a strikingly beautiful brilliant ambitious research physician profoundly affected by Jamie's death. She assists Stephen as he digs deeper into the web of lies and deceit spun around the dangerous virus. As the pair gets closer to the truth life-long careers and human lives begin to crumble.Features:"Making of Drone Virus" DocumentaryInteractiveScene SelectionSystem Requirements:Run Time: 96 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 787364732999
Bestsellers in DVD
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] ImageThe Story of Jeremiah [VHS]
Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS] ImageWresting With God [VHS]
by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $19.99
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS] ImageStudy Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]
Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $44.00
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS] ImageTempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops: $9.98
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/Party Video [VHS] ImageTempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Strike the Original Match [VHS] ImageStrike the Original Match [VHS]
New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $14.95
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] ImageMedjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]
JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008 ImageMayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008
by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User ImagePediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User
by Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Cost Accounting [VHS] ImageCost Accounting [VHS]
by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Clash of the Titans (Keep Case Packaging) ImageClash of the Titans (Keep Case Packaging)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-03-02; DVD
Best price: $2.63
Price in other shops: $5.97
Blood Ties: Season Two ImageBlood Ties: Season Two
Universal Studios; Release date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $9.98
Price in other shops: $19.98
Little Boy Blue ImageLittle Boy Blue
Lions Gate; Release date: 2006-07-11; DVD
Best price: $3.08
Price in other shops: $9.98
Red Shoe Diaries - The Movie ImageRed Shoe Diaries - The Movie
Release date: 2001-01-16; DVD
Best price: $6.64
Price in other shops: $19.98
7 Mummies Image7 Mummies
Image Entertainment; Release date: 2006-07-18; DVD
Best price: $2.64
Price in other shops: $9.97
Body Snatchers: The Invasion Continues ImageBody Snatchers: The Invasion Continues
Warner Brothers; Release date: 1999-11-23; DVD
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops: $9.98
Last Lives ImageLast Lives
Release date: 2005-07-05; DVD
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops: $6.99
Fence ImageFence
Release date: 1999-09-14; DVD
Best price: $41.49
Good Day to Die ImageGood Day to Die
Release date: 1999-09-20; DVD
Best price: $11.79
Final Mission ImageFinal Mission
DVD
Best price: $9.80
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners