Movie Review: Outbreak

Outbreak started out with promise. It was a thriller whose villain and danger was unique (a deadly virus), and its presence was treated with a sense of gravity that made it seem real. For the first hour or so of the movie, I was hooked. And then, right the movie was crossing the line from “good” to “excellent”, it dive-bombed. The plot developed more leaky holes than my old shower, and became standard triller fare – cleverly of every type (military, medical, etc), but no sturdier for it.

Somehow, I found myself unable or simply unwilling to buy the last half of the movie. Biological weapons, homicidal military leaders, and a plethora of soldiers who are willing to obey absolutely foolish orders – up until the climax demands they change, anyway. I was just disappointed, frankly. Outbreak had a clever, original plot in its grasp, and it traded it away for the standard, idiotic plot developments that all thrillers seem bent on conjuring up. I realize human beings can be truly sinister, but please. Just once, can we not have the plot and tension artificially extended because of crazed, homicidal maniacs? I'm just not buying it anymore.

Cinematography: Alright

Story: Weak

Rating: 5/10