Pandémie

Oh, wow, this was awesome! The Korean answer to 'Outbreak', but so much better without being melodramatic or predictable. The film so well depicts the ignorance of politicians and humanity's incapability of uniting and remaining calm during disasters. This was realistic, shocking and disturbing, and gets increasingly more intense as the film progresses. I did find the convenience element a bit overwhelming, especially with Hyuk Jang and Soo Ae's characters always ending up together despite the circumstances. Still, this was a really good disaster film, and so very possible.

A deadly flu, is about people. Persons become exposed, some contract it and all react differently to it. An influx of illegal immigrants in a Korean city, opens Pandora's box and unleashes a virus in town.

As is common, bureaucracy gets in the way and safeguarding is delayed. There is plenty of tension and drama without the Hollywood tendency for sensationalism.

At the heart of the story is a female doctor, her daughter and a member of the fire brigade. When the outbreak is out of control it is clear that no one is safe.

The central theme of the story is the dual battle of the female doctor; the struggle to develop an antibody and keep her daughter safe. As it is always with people, choices and preferences often override any moral considerations. Right and wrong in a deadly situation become very blurred.

The movie is very effective in displaying the tragedy of uncontrolled death and the powerfulness as well as folly of being human. Courage, helpfulness, mindlessness, bureaucracy.

Perhaps the lady doctor's efforts might form the main body of this movie, although the gravity is carried in her adorable daughter's tiny shoulders. Her forcefulness and vulnerability will take the audience to a mighty emotional journey.

Korean disaster movies give you more than you pay for and this is no exceptioin. It's a cleverly constructed story that brings everything together. It's much more than a rehash of Contagion or Outbreak. There is a confinement leading to a grand show down with some political commentary. The central characters are pivotal in the plot. A rescue worker, a doctor and her daughter. Some of the action and fighting is a bit over the top. With what is going on in Wuhan now this is an eerily prophetic movie.

This was so realistic at what COULD play out in a real life scenario, and it's scary to think how quickly both the populace AND the government overseeing them can go off the deep end. It begs the question, given the epidemic, who's right and who's wrong? This movie had phenomenal acting to, the 2 main protagonists were great, and that little girl, wow. Best child actress I've seen in a foreign movie. "Please don't shoot my mommy!" That had me choking back tears!

Well, there is no better timing to watch this movie. With coronavirus turning into a pandemic, this movie showed what could have happen if it was a much severe virus. Sometimes, movie is a reflection of reality. Lockdown, panic, violence, anger, sacrifice, humanity, all covered in the movie. Humanity is so fragile, right?