7 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Illustrates the worst-case scenario of a global viral pandemic as people become severely ill and harried doctors struggle to contain the disease.
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth PaltrowThriller | 100% |
Psychological thriller | 75% |
Mystery | 58% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
German: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Czech: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Released internationally alongside Warner Bros.' recent domestic 4K edition, this 4K Steelbook combo pack of Steven Soderbergh's highly prescient 2011 thriller Contagion is a fine alternative with superior design elements and a "bonus" Blu-ray copy of the film. Although otherwise identical to the standard 4K release (A/V quality, extras), this Steelbook's currently competitive price makes it a low-risk upgrade for die-hard fans and packaging collectors alike.
For my thoughts on the new 2160p/HDR transfer of Contagion, please see my review of the standard 4K edition.
Please note that the region-free Blu-ray included in this combo pack (which is the source of this review's screenshots) is clearly a reprint of Warner Bros.' 2012 Region B Blu-ray, which means that it's encoded on a dual-layered disc (BD-50) rather than a single-layered disc (BD-25) like the 2012 Region A Blu-ray. Those hoping that the extra real estate would translate to a slightly improved 1080p presentation shouldn't get their hopes up, however: both discs are indeed encoded at the exact same average bit rate of 16.84 Kbps so I've no choice but to assume that the second layer is wasted. Either way, this is no huge loss: though well over a decade old and thus not downsampled from the new 4K master, this respectable 1080p/SDR image should hold up decently well on a small to mid-sized display.
Since the perfectly suitable DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix included on both discs is basically identical to my ears aside from slight volume differences, please see Kenneth's coverage of the 2012 Blu-ray for more details.
This two-disc release ships in a glossy Steelbook with a familiar poster-themed design meant to visualize the quick spread of Contagion's fictional MEV-1 virus on a global scale. The film's vertical title is slightly debossed and the outer design favors a sickly mustard color with a worn appearance and a red "Biohazard" sticker image at the top, while its back cover depicts a few virus-related symbols and film credits at the bottom. The interior features a two-panel still with Jennifer Ehle's character "Dr. Ally Hextall" hard at work in the lab, while both discs sit in overlapping hubs on the right. It's a decent design overall and quite a bit more compelling than the standard 4K edition, with both options interestingly avoiding the 2012 Blu-ray's predictable cast-heavy collage. No digital copy is included.
The on-disc extras are all recycled from Warner Bros.' 2012 Blu-ray and are listed below in name only.
Steven Soderbergh's highly prescient 2011 thriller Contagion has grown from "speculative sci-fi" to documentary-like realism since its 2011 release. Though slightly bogged down by too many primary characters and a somewhat deflated third act, it's almost mandatory viewing nowadays and is ripe for rediscovery. Warner Bros.' wide-release 4K edition is highlighted by an outstanding new 2160p/HDR transfer, but this region-free Steelbook import adds in better design elements and a bonus Blu-ray copy at a surprisingly similar price point. Highly Recommended.
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