Contagion (2011): Triple Play (2 Discs) (Blu-ray)

WARNING!.... IF YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ACTION PACKED THRILLER WITH SCIENTIST'S RUNNING AROUND AFTER A CURE DON'T BOTHER!
But on the other hand if you want a slow burn realistic thriller that explores the real science of a global virus then this is worth a look. The thing about Contagion is that it's all filmed and acted in a un-flashy matter of fact fashion, this makes the viewing experience very realistic and chilling.
We all know how quick swine flu spread in the summer of 2009, one week it's a virus over in Mexico a week later I'm laid in bed thinking my head is going to explode and contemplating writing out my will! This movie has an all star cast as they all get involved in the biological disaster eather getting infected of trying to find a anti-virus, but with such a star studeed cast some of the characters get pushed to the side lines. This does not make the movie any less chilling as it delivers the facts in gripping fashion. The scenes that hit home are the ones at the start of the film where the virus is spread by touch via glass, door handle and so on, not to mention the fact of how much we touch our face a day. Also it portrays the chilling all too real social breakdown as the survivors start to loot or riot in the food lines. the film plays on the paranoia to great effect. In the cinema I could not resist to start to fake cough half way through just to see the reaction of the audience (because I'm a bit sick that way!). It is a very smart movie, but feels like it has been cut from a much longer film to fall into the two hour bracket, but never the less love it or hate it, it will still leave you much to think about after the end credits have rolled.
See if you like....
Outbreak.
Threads.
28 Days Later.
The Crazies.

This movie is the most scientifically accurate depiction of its kind. The methods used to show the virus spreads, how it's studied and tested on, and the reaction of both governments and people in the form of panic, hysteria, conspiracies and attempts at civilization control are absolutely perfect. The story isn't designed to be a Hollywood blockbuster with Matt Damon running around saving the world - it's about how far we are in terms of dealing with an outbreak of a viral pathogen like the one in this movie. How it represents the protein modeling and cell culture experiments is brilliantly realistic and Kate Winslet is especially convincing as the EIS officer. A great watch for anyone interested in a smart thriller based on realism.

An average person touches his or her face about 3000 times per day, and with it brings residue and bacteria from what ever that person touched in close contact with mouth, nose and eyes. From there the eventually dangerous organisms and viruses can travel into lungs, digestivesystems and brain to live long and prosper.
That is exactly what the new influensa does in this movie. The perspectives are many from all stratas of existance: the medical researcher trying to track down the point of origin for the flu, the immune father who loses wife and son and now tries to protect his daughter, the director of the institute of prevention of infection desperately acting to keep all cogs of the machinery together, There is no clear antagonist. All hinderances are mostly people just doing their job, or fully understandable security protocols.
The film moves slow, with a distant, but detailoriented photography. The mood is solemn and there is almost like we're watching a dramadocumentary. The science is spot on, and the scientists act like scientists, not like megalomanical madmen. The general tries to keep the peace, not bomb the world to sterilise it. All characters act like people, not cardboard cut outs.
Some, on this site as well, have complained it is too slow, and that this is not an apocalyptic movie. Who told you it would be? This is the most accurate depiction of a true pandemic I have see. As a complete opposite we can show Outbreak (Petersen, 1995) where the science and drama take a backseat to the thriller. Not so in Contagion.
Is it a horrormovie? No. Is it a thriller? Not really. It is a characterstudy of people and a society infected both by a sickness but most dangerously by fear.

I had high expectations of this film. What a great cast!!! The story has been told a hundred times before.... virus wipes out population, population struggle to survive.... blah, blah, blah! Very slow. In fact, nothing really happens at all. There are a few interesting bits in this film but overall very poor!

This film is slow, dull, and has no pace. An excellent cast is wasted on this unoriginal story and the script is poor. You get no feeling of panic or chaos and everything is over before it begins. Poor.