Contagion (2011)

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, 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.

director steven soderbergh tick, good ensemble cast tick, virus that kills en masse tick. should be brilliant but it isnt. so much of this film is scarily believable yet i feel soderbergh missed an oppertunity to really scare us. a vius is out there intent on wiping out mankind and scientists race to find a way of halting it. most of cast do a decent turn and although not a bad film it could have been better.

We know there are nasty viruses out there. We know they kill people in large numbers. We know how they spread.
This film brings nothing new to the table and is merely a vehicle for an excellent cast to "go through the motions". I was looking forward to some images of whole cities laid waste. Instead we had a few bin bags thrown around in some quiet suburbs. Whilst the first 20 mins racks up some good tension, sadly it all becomes very predictable and not very convincing. Not a disaster, as some reviewers have hinted at, but certainly below average.

Although its not a bad film, it's not great either, I found it quite flat and unexhilerating, it does jump in straight from the begining but I feel it needed more umpfff, although saying this it does bring a real chill about it and makes you think.. Because this film is a possible reality. I'd say rent it, don't buy it, as you will prob only watch it once, but nether the less.. Watch it!

*Contagion is a well made film with a great cast about the spread of a deadly virus that is threatening mankind. The film shows the spread, the impact and the implications of the deadly virus. Contagion feels a little like a slightly paranoid warning campaign filmed a little like CSI. There's some good story telling from the different characters across the world. Overall its a good film but i felt it had a lot more potential and didn't make a huge impact.