Contagion

    We've seen it before with films like 1995's Outbreak. A deadly virus is contracted by an unknowing civilian and eventually leads to the greatest medical crisis the world has ever seen. Contagion follows a similar pattern with efficiency and terrifyingly realistic scenarios. In a time where American Health Care is at the forefront of heated political debates, lobbyists pushing even harder to make profits, and H1N1 was big news only two years ago, Contagion serves as a cautionary tale grounded in reality.
    Boasting an star-studded cast Contagion is masterfully directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven, Traffic). Throughout the film, we are presented with scenarios that are all too familiar and common in today's world. When faced with an epidemic who can we trust? Will the local news tell us what we really need to know? Or will it be the guy that blogs about government and pharmaceutical conspiracies that will win our attention and allegiance? Is Facebook a trusted medium for hearsay and international crisis information? When racked with fear of the unknown, who will the public turn to? Contagion these issues with unprecedented ease and style.  We are privy to the horrors of how quickly and wittingly a global tragedy can escalate.
    I remember when H1N1 or more commonly known as the "Swine Flu" was a massive concern for everyone here in the US. Schools were closed, children died, and decisive measures implemented by the CDC probably prevented mass hysteria. Being overly pro-active is better than not doing anything at all (Where was FEMA during Hurricane Katrina?). Contagion captures all of this and delivers it an well written, beautifully shot, surreal, and epically performed package and delivers it to us in theaters and IMAX screens around the world. A must see event that will leave you breathless till the very end.

Rating: 4 (Maximum of 5) - Not an original work, but modernized, updated, and up-classed