MOVIE REVIEW - Contagion

Call me crazy, but I think I've seen this movie about 17 years ago and it was called Outbreak.

You know, where a ton of Hollywood stars get together and make a movie about a rogue and killer virus that threatens to wipe out life an earth? Well, it's been reincarnated as Contagion in 2011. Granted, there are a whole new cast of stars, and the story has been slightly elevated to make it relevant in today's world. And if you remember Outbreak, this movie does NOT have those ridiculous scenes with Dustin Hoffman talking like an complete buffoon in a microphone from a helicopter at the end begging a Air Force fighter pilot not to carryout his duty.

But don't be fooled. Contagion does have it share of silly plot lines and a bunch of stars fighting for face time. And there in lies the problem. With star after star, these kinds of flicks become disjointed and hard to follow, because of limited scenes for each.

Contagion, much like Outbreak makes the Federal Government out as one of the bad guys. Also the drug companies, and assorted other entities. It makes it's statement on big business, government, the dangers of constant construction, and the deplorable conditions at meat processing plants in China. All easy targets, and probably all very apt. But from a movie making perspective, incredibly unimaginative.

If you are going to make this kind of movie again, how about a little thought outside the box? Nothing new is offered here. Very predictable, and exceptionally formula. Which many times leads to scads of cash at the box office, but also makes for forgettable movies. Which this is. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad movie in total. We've all just seen this before about a million times. Don't get corralled in by the hype on TV. There is absolutely nothing compelling here. This is simply a possible "end of the world" movie, where you are wondering what big star is going to walk on camera next for a couple of minutes, and how they will somehow try to work him or her into the story.

Contagion. In a word? Underwhelming. In two words, completely underwhelming.