Contagion (2011)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Contagion is as brisk as a sneeze but less hostile than a cough. A disaster film like no ever. Replacing CGI extreme weathering and aimless zombies for a far more intellectual affair. The common cold. Yes, the mysophobic may wish to look away in fear, however that's the sole purpose of this lesser thriller. To genuinely convey the ease of spreading germs and how quickly a pandemic can arise. It's just too clinical in its execution to be a thrilling story. A mother and son die from an unknown mutating virus, to which a variety of organisations must try to develop a vaccination before it spreads and wipes out the world's population. A multi-narrative story that occasionally has interweaving plot lines, from the conception of the virus to the investigation that follows from the World Health Organisation. A meticulous scientific plot that upholds a vast amount of accuracy, showcasing how rapid a virus can spread and cause hysteria amongst the public. It's a horror film, but one that relies on realism as opposed to disposable jump scares. The ensemble cast, featuring excellent performances from Law, Winslet and Damon, add power and conviction to the story. It can be slightly distracting, deterring away from pivotal plot points, however the dialogue remains sharp thanks to the consistently good performances. Although, much like its professional environment, it's all too clinical. The wide array of characters to which they embody professional roles as opposed to relatable characters, results in a narrative that almost feels documentarian rather than thrilling. Soderbergh and Burns' perception of a pandemic breathes information, to a point that it diminishes any thrills to be had. Accuracy is important, however the story still needs to be accessible for audiences to become involved in. For instance, if a character was to meet their untimely demise caused by the virus, you don't care. You feel nothing. The characters and the plot are too cold to care about. Still, always a fan of Soderbergh's style and I do appreciate the realism. It just unfortunately isn't as thrilling as it thinks it is.

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