This three hour Hallmark Channel movie is a riveting, realistic piece of drama. The possibilities of this bird-flu-like killer virus existing and occuring is so powerfully told with good writing, direction and acting, that it not only entertains the viewer but makes him/her think. Not a great many TV dramas do that. There are heores in this story but also those who struggle with fear. As one character points out, if a few letters are taken out of the word “pandemic” you get the word “panic.”

The virus infects a young surfer in Australia and he carries it on board a plane heading back home to Los Angeles, California. The young man is soon coughing uncontrollably and begins to spit up blood. The virus spreads like wildfire and the CDC (disease control) soon have their hands full.

We recommend this film for ages twelve and above as there are several scenes of patients coughing up blood and there is also some shooting and violence in the film as well as some language.