BLU-RAY
REVIEW: CONTAGION
1/01/12
OVERVIEW: Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t touch anyone. Beware the air around you. A deadly virus is mutating its way around the world in “Contagion,” arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on January 3 from Warner Home Entertainment Group. Featuring an ensemble cast of Academy Award® winners and nominees, this critically acclaimed thriller tells the story of the infectious paranoia and fear that accompany the spread of a lethal virus.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD SKUs include an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the standard definition theatrical version of the film, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the movie via WiFi to compatible computers, Android, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.
“Contagion” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, featuring a hi-definition, a standard definition and a UltraViolet Digital Copy of the
film.
On January 3, “Contagion” can be purchased for permanent download or rented on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game consoles.
SYNOPSIS:
An international traveler reaches into the snack bowl at an
airport bar before passing her credit card to a waiter. A
business meeting begins with a round of handshakes. A man coughs
on a crowded bus... One contact. One instant. And a lethal virus
is transmitted.
When Beth Emhoff (Paltrow) returns to Minneapolis from business
in Hong Kong, what she thought was jet lag takes a virulent
turn. Two days later, she’s dead in the ER and the doctors
tell her shocked and grieving husband (Damon) they have no idea
why. Soon, others exhibit the same mysterious symptoms: hacking
coughs and fever, followed by seizure, brain hemorrhage... and
ultimately, death. The numbers quickly multiply as the contagion
sweeps across all borders, fueled by the countless human
interactions that make up the course of an average day. A global
pandemic explodes.
As the death toll escalates and people struggle to protect
themselves and their loved ones in a society breaking down, one
activist blogger (Law) claims the public isn't getting the truth
about what's really going on, and sets off an epidemic of
paranoia and fear as infectious as the virus itself.
FILM REVIEW:
In the world of cinema there are scary movies and then there are scary movies. This is a scary movie. Not like your bash ‘em, slash ‘em, blood and gore Halloween specials but more like your 2012, I Am Legend, Day After Tomorrow type stuff where the tragedy is a little more down to earth, pun intended. And even so, this movie is different from those as well in that this one takes the realism up a notch and that’s where the scariness comes in. It is so realistic that you might take it as a prediction that includes every detail as to how it would pan out in the world in which we live. From the onset of the disease to how quickly and easily it could spread throughout the world. From the people in charge trying to get a handle on it and decide the best course of action to the regular folk reaching a point of madness, desperation, and paranoia. When it gets to that point, when it’s all about basic survival, then there is a complete global decay of social order and structure. This movie explores all of this and it paints a clear picture of this interpretation of how it would all come to pass and more. It demonstrates the fragility of life and at the same time how life does go on, no matter how difficult, for those that remain alive. This film is fast paced (similar to the speed of the virus spreading) but sad and depressing. It is not for the faint of heart or especially anyone who suffers from hypochondria. A small percentage of you might actually develop hypochondria after watching the film. I noticed a few times during the film that the theater was about as silent as I’ve ever heard a theater be. It is that impacting and I predict an increase in hand sanitizer sales. An interesting aspect of the movie as it pans the globe is that it shows the general population figures of several major cities. It is sobering to see a number of potential victims that an occurrence like this could affect.
Needless to say, the heavyweight cast does a fine job with this production even though, for the most part, they are shadowed by the story. The roles for most of them are a lot smaller than what you’d hope for but still effective as you would expect from these big name performers. The one that surprised me the most was Jennifer Ehle, probably because I haven’t seen enough of her work. Her performance was captivating. I enjoyed watching Kate Winslet as well as she delivered a sharp performance. The interesting thing about the cast of characters is that they represent many different walks of life which give many different perspectives on this crisis. Even though the story is the strongest aspect of this film, the climax is a little anti-climactic, or at least the way it is presented. Regardless, Steven Soderbergh is a director who knows what he’s doing. This might not be his best work, but it fits nicely in his collection. This movie is well made and worthy of being watched but if you decide to watch it make sure you’re in the right frame of mind.
Film
Review
By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
BLU-RAY:
The film is
presented in 1080P widescreen in a 1.85:1 aspect ration
preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just
flawless.Not only the picture looks great in
this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master
Audio (48kHz/24bit) in English, Spanish and French that provides a
good complement to the picture. It also includes
English Spanish French
subtitles.
VIDEO:
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital,
French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles -
English, French & Spanish English SDH, French & Spanish
SPECIAL FEATURES:
False Comfort Zone: The Reality of Contagion
The Contagion Detectives
Contagion: How a Virus Changes the World
DVD Copy
Ultraviolet Copy
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