DVD Corner

Contagion 4K UHD Review

“Contagion” is one of Steven Soderbergh’s best films.  

In 2011’s “Contagion,” a new disease has emerged and has begun to spread everywhere from Hong Kong to the United States. Those that become infected are dying within a matter of days. The CDC begins to research the virus before eventually developing a vaccine for it. As the outbreak worsens, looting, thefts, quarantines, and food and water shortages begin to occur. Among the subplots featured within this ensemble drama are Mitch struggling to protect his daughter after losing his wife and stepson to the virus, a conspiracy theorist blogger (Alan) spreading misinformation, an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer (Dr. Mears) tracing the virus, the heroic research scientist Dr. Hextall, and a Dr. (Leonara) who is held hostage.

Rewatching this film 13 years later after a pandemic has occurred, it’s unsettling just how eerily prophetic “Contagion” is. Director Steven Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns certainly made this a grounded and authentic movie in every way possible. It’s shocking just how much of this ended up happening right down to a bat being involved in the virus, social distancing, the discussions about face touching, the phony medical treatments, and so forth. Perhaps the most miraculous thing is that Soderbergh manages to cover the entirety of a pandemic in a mere 106 minutes all while touching all the bases here from normal families, the CDC, WHO, tracing the origin of the virus, and the fear and paranoia within the populace. It goes without saying that Soderbergh crafted a relevant and important film that has stood the test of time. 

Although this is more of a plot driven film, “Contagion” boasts a massive ensemble featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Bryan Cranston, John Hawkes, Elliott Gould, Enrico Colantoni, and Jennifer Ehle. No one really stands out more than anyone else here as it’s not a character driven story. With that said, everyone commits to the parts here to strengthen the movie as a whole. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 2160p. How does it look? The 4K transfer offers up a quality upgrade.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? From the music to the dialogue, this 5.1 track is sharp.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* “The Reality Of Contagion”- A featurette on the prospect of a real world pandemic.
* “The Contagion Detectives”- A look at the experts who helped make the movie authentic.
* “Contagion: How A Virus Changes The World”- A TakePart PSA.

February 26, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Contagion 4K UHD Review, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Steven Soderbergh, Virus Movie