Sorry, but this one was a big disappointment. There are elements of the film that are outstanding, other elements that make so little sense it overshadows the rest. First of all the plot was ridiculous, stealing spacecraft in order to spark a war? There must be a million easier and less expensive ways to start a war between the superpowers. Trying to hide a lanch pad in a volcano? Come on, lets at least stay on the fringe of believeability. Had the producers stayed with Flemings original plot line this movie would have easily been another From Russia With Love. The exotic locations, Aki and Kissy (who by the way NEVER once had her name mentioned in the movie) Tiger Tanaka, and hell Little Nellie was a cute touch, but the rest? PU. Aki was a great Bond girl, tough and smart. She saved Bonds bacon, as well as lured him into Tigers little trap, laughing at the ease by which she controlled the situation. She was such a great character, to this day I get choked up at her death scene. Kissy Suzuki, hell, what can I say? This is biziness Bond-san Great line, great delivery from a smart, confident and beautiful character. Kissy and Aki set the standard for the non-bimbo Bond Girls. Kissy's part was significantly downplayed from the original story, little remained of her but the name and occupation. Too bad this movie went like this. It was probably a sign of the times, space exploration was in the publics eye, and this attempted to cash in on that. To Barbra Broccoli: Give me a chance, I will remake this and do it right!

After reading the other reviews of this book, I see they tend to the extreme. 9-10 or 1-2. I guess this is a "love it or hate it" book. I myself loved it. The most frequent criticism of this work seems to be the gory nature of some of the descriptions. Well folks, like it or not, Ebola is a gory disease. This my friends is reality. I guess our opinions of this book are based on our expectations. I think many people who expected a sterile academic tome of the pathology of Ebola or it means of transmission, received instead, a graphical, realistic description of what Ebola is and what Ebola does. This IS Ebola. If you want to understand Ebola from a human standpoint, this is the book to do it. Other works on this subject can induce narcolepsy, The Hot Zone induces insomnia. This is the real thing folk, no whitewash, no incomprehensible 14 syllable medical terms. Just real people, and a very real, deady and deeply frightening disease. The author did an exceptional job of bringing an understanding of the very real threat of Ebola to all of us.

The first Pitt book I read was "Raise the Titanic" I had never heard of Cussler before, and did know Dirk Pitt was supposed to be a recurring character. I read "~Titanic" in a single sitting (I think with one or two bathroom breaks) from that point I was hooked. Each novel got better, more bombastic, Pitt became more invinceable, the women sexier. I think this book proves that sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much. It was good, and I loved every word, but compared to "Titanic" or "Inca Gold" or "Treasure", this one was just too much. There were few surprises here but tons of action. It is formulaic but what the hell, this is Dirk Pitt! We love the formula!

Totally mesmerizing. You will want to read this book again and again, each time you will find a new parallel and another interpretation of something that has always "made me wonder". You will not look at the world in quite the same way again. The most thought provoking work I have read in a very long time. I think Einstein would have loved this work. I canot imagine anyone close minded enough not to get soemthing out of this work. Bravo Mr. Talbot.

Being a fan of "The Prisoner" TV series of the early 70's I see a common philosophy here. When first written I am sure this story was a novelty to most, and the premise far-fetched. Re-reading this story now is a chilling experience. Much of the technology Levin described is plausable especially today, but that is only "window dressing" for the real story, and the message is more relevant today than when Levin wrote it. Chip, is a hero for all of us. The only reason I rated this a "9" and not a "10" is I wish the book were 100 pages longer to better develop the depth and flavor of this future world.