Steve Soderbergh is not quite familiar with the cliché “to hit and miss”. With 34 directorial to his name, Soderbergh is by far from being one of my favorite directors. Mainly since his approach to scripts although is unique does not seem something that cannot be done by another if attempted. This being said I am a great fan of the box office hit the “Oceans” franchise. We would be on common ground when I say that it is an outstanding action/thriller and a series of movies that can be watched over and over again and still be entertained. Soderbergh is also know for working with a large number of Hollywood stars and follows through with his trademark in CONTAGION.
Not entertaining but yet a very interesting movie. A movie I am enjoying after a long time since FOOD INC & AFRICAN CATS. Although CONTAGION is not a documentary its message to me seems to be one that came through as flat and monotonous. This piece seem to come out with quite a negative vibe since I just wanted to get the crummy minor details out of the way before I discuss what an amazing piece of work she is.
Day 2: The world is preparing herself for a world wide pandemonium. Just as we were all living in fear at the breakout of H1N1 bird flu & the Swine Flu virus not too long ago we are in for another? However this time around, this is what it looks like when it is unable to be contained. Living in fear day in day out and with broken down and corrupt protocols in place by the worlds governments and the hidden agendas of the pharmaceutical organizations this is one of the most realistic and appropriate themes discussed since the outbreaks we all faced with the former mentioned viruses. I am a strong believer of religion and a fear of the apocalypse came upon me as I tread deeper into the movie. A virus that spreads by touch , a virus that is initially shown to have sprung from Hongkong and travelled its way into the Borders of the United States and then the world; this indeed felt like the prelude to the apocalypse. Beth who returns to USA after a business trip in Hongkong passes days after she lands suddenly in her own kitchen giving into a febrile convulsion. Then her son passes and then people all over the world. Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta Georgia are unable to get ahead of the virus and find an antibody to fight it since they don’t seem to be able to contain it to study it. Each day matters with the MEV 1 virus that later is challenged and conquered by the doctors at CDCP. Is this what it will be like to us all on that day? I would not want to live to find out!
Soderbergh seem to have made another minor flaw. Nothing that did affect the movie or its plot though. However something that did affect its budget. The star cast is as insignificant as the credits that roll up after any movie. Unless you’re a movie enthusiast as I am and always is the last person to leave the screening hoping for a crazy credit like in FAST 5 or CAPTAIN AMERICA; the end credits is the most boring moment of a movie. However how many of you would watch it if the cast were newbie’s? Would you consider or rate CONTAGION as high as she is rated if the cast did differ? Just a gentle cliffhanger; is it the plot or the cast that make you love it more than you should?
Now I never intend to write that last statement my self. It’s an ending I didn’t even think of to this piece, but it indeed is something that I am thinking as I wrap up!
Nothing more Nothing Less
Title: Contagion
Directed by: Steve Soderbergh
Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law & Kate Winslet.
Rated: PG 13 for some disturbing content and some language
Rating: 06/10