Contagion

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Contagion.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Written by Scott Z. Burns.

Review #137

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for disturbing content and some language.

Runtime: 105 min

Cast

Gwyneth Paltrow ... Beth Emhoff

Matt Damon ... Mitch Emhoff

Laurence Fishburne ... Dr. Ellis Cheever

Marion Cotillard ... Dr. Leonora Orantes

Kate Winslet ... Dr. Erin Mears

Jennifer Ehle ... Dr. Ally Hextall

Elliott Gould ... Dr. Ian Sussman

Enrico Colantoni ... Dennis French

Bryan Cranston ... Lyle Haggerty

If you can, try and think about the scariest movie you ever saw. I know for most of you it will probably be what you would deem a traditional horror film like Friday the 13th or A Nightmare on Elm Street. Of course one of the scariest films of all time is The Exorcist. That film scarred me for life. Want proof. I'm 35 years old and I still can't see that film. When they re-released it in theaters with an extended cut I ran out of the theater when the trailer played. Hand to bible truth.

My point is that Contagion is now on my list as one of the scariest films I have ever seen.

Plot


An action-thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak. 

Before any of you start freaking out. I'll explain what I mean. What makes Contagion more horrifying than any so called horror film that's out now is the plain and simple fact that it's based in REALITY.  No matter how scary it can be there's no such thing as a dude infiltrating your dreams and killing you in your sleep. Or some hockey mask wearing zombie walking around with a machete in the woods. There is however such a thing as a virus that can attack your body so rapidly that you're done before you even realize you're sick. Even scarier is that virus has no cure or vaccine and is spreading faster than you can breathe. This is the scenario that Contagion presents to you and it's a very INTENSE experience.

Now some of you may be asking....How is this movie any different than Outbreak or any other film that has tackled this topic of an unstoppable epidemic. The answer is both simple and complex at the same time. You have to forgive me since I don't remember Outbreak that much but if I recall correctly that film was more of the action thriller variety. This one was much darker and serious in tone, delivery and presentation. That in itself makes the film work much better. The virus in the film though fictitious is highly plausible and as a result creates a false sense of safety. This was something I wasn't expecting to feel watching this movie.

It's thought provoking in ways I didn't imagine. I dare you not to buy a case of Purell after you see this.

Contagion breaks up into 4 separate quadrants. The film spends an equal amount of time to each one and this is where the film succeeds and fails. After building a tremendous amount of pressure and tension the film gives you a break as you follow the different events unfolding. Keeping in mind that as this is happening people are dropping like flies at alarming rates. The momentum gained at the beginning gets muddled in one particular story arc that though important to the big picture just doesn't seem as valuable as the rest of the plot seemed to be. That being said, Contagion does a great job showcasing the breakdown of society and civilization once the virus reaches epidemic proportions. The riots and looting were staged with just the right amount of chaos without being too stylized.

Bottom line, the plot description has this film all wrong. Contagion is in no way, shape or form an action thriller. This is a horror film plain and simple. It may not be a "traditional" horror film but I can't think of anything scarier than catching an incurable virus from someone breathing on me or touching something they touched.

Can you?

On the 5 star scale. Contagion gets 4 stars with a "Go See It!" Recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Warrior.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"