Contagion

Midling Thriller Based On A Very Possible Scenario 

(originally reviewed on July 21, 2012)

I've mentioned before that 4 decades of Star Wars has made it so the general public thinks that if it doesn't have lasers or robots, it's not science fiction. Obviously that's not the case as demonstrated by Contagion. Contagion is a science fiction film, specifically one where the science we are talking about is the biological sciences, and is based on the actual events of the recent outbreaks of Avian and Swine Flues. The heroes here are scientists, racing to try to isolate the virus and mitigate its damage.
It's understated in typical Soderbergh fashion. And while it's a well made, if subdued, indie thriller, it's already been done a lot of times before: The Andromeda Strain and Outbreak come immediately to mind. Its most redeeming factor is perhaps a greater realism than its predecessors.

It might be worth a look for fans of medical thrillers, or those that want to see a zombie apocalypse film sans zombies. Otherwise, I wouldn't make it your first choice film on a Friday night.

***1/2 out of *****