Viral

Even if humans have an incredible body, we can´t protect ourselves from everything. Especially certain viruses, where we need medical help. Viruses can cause some big problems to humans, unless we know a cure. But then you have more dangerous viruses, where it is much harder to find a cure. And this is something that many people worldwide are trying to find ways, to make sure that we are safe from airborne bacteria and viruses. There are plenty of films, that have tried to brought up different subjects, about viruses. And one of the films i still remember, is the 1995 film Oubreak, with Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. The film tells the story, of aw very dangerous outbreak of a virus called Motaba. The virus is originally from the African jungle in 1967. They thought that they destroyed the virus, but it returns in Zaire, where people become very ill and die. This complicated situation between virologists and experts becomes very tricky, trying to work together, makes the film very interesting. How do you handle a situation as dangerous as this, without taking any dangerous risks ? I saw the film in cinema back in the 90´s, and i remember how curious i was about the most dangerous viruses. I also remember the 2007 film called Rec, a spanish horror film, about a virus outbreak that turn people into insane zombies. Not the typical zombie film actually, because this film is more focused on the outbreak of the virus. And a really well made horror film as well, from director James Balagueró and Paco Plaza. I highly recommend you see the sequel Rec 2 as well, actually the sequel might be even better than the first film. There are of course other films, based on virus outbreaks that follow pretty much the same pattern. But i like to see different stories, based on both true events, or fictional stories. I almost forgot to mention Steven Soderberghs film Contagion, a really good thriller about a dangerous virus disease, that tries to show that we can´t always be prepared for unexpected turns. Since i watch many films every month, i usually miss some titles now and then, that have been released on dvd or blu ray. And this is where i decided to pick up a blu ray called Viral. Described to be a science fiction horror drama ( that´s a lot of combinations ). I have not really heard much about Viral before, so it is always more fun seeing a film you know very little about, so you don´t have to have high expectations. Is this a cool throwback to classic parasites films, or is Viral a film that is so dull you will fall asleep instantly ?

Emma Drakeford ( Sofia Black-D´Elia ) and Stacey Drakeford ( Analeigh Tipton ) are two young sisters, living in a nice clean neighborhood. One day at school, one of the students turns out to be infected, by an unknown virus. Emma and Stacey leave school and head home. They manage to get in contact with their father, but he tells them to stay at home and lock themselves inside. They decide to head towards a party, not far away from their parents house. One of the infected manage to attack the party guests, and now the situation is much more serious. Emma and Stacey head back home, hoping that things will calm down and the virus will eventually be defeated. But no one really knows how to handle the infected, and more civilians are in danger.

It is very clear from the very beginning of Viral, that we have seen films like this before. So, you can´t expect to see anything really original here. I can probably mention a few films that looks similar to Viral, without trying to compare them. But the good news is, that Viral do have some positive turns to offer. Imagine another version of Robert Rodriguez classic 90´s film The Faculty, but with some different elements where parasites are included, and you have Viral served on a plate. This is sort of a throwback to the Invasion Of The Body Snatchers from the 70´s as well, where people suddenly change and attack for no reason at all. The classic 70´s film is a very interesting view on how vulnerable humans are, especially if our bodies are taken over by another life form. The 1993 remake Body Snatchers was of course mostly laughable, as it was trying to be adjusted for the teenage audience. And this is where Viral actually succeed, this is a horror film made for teenagers, but it is not terrible. As most of you know, films made with college teenagers are usually very predictable and dull. Viral on the other hand, turn this around for a bit. Sure, there are a few scenes we get some clichés, but overall i enjoyed myself. Lead actors Sofia Black-D´Elia and Analeigh Tipton are actually not bad. Their characters Emma and Stacey feel natural, and not the perfect teenage girls image. One of the few issues i have, is that the outbreak itself does not really tell you much. You get some details through out the film, but too little to actually feel that chaos is around the corner. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schuman both directed the technology thriller Nerve, that i reviewed last year. They may not make this film as good as Nerve, but i still feel that Viral is smarter than most teenage horror films. There is not a lot of blood here, or flesh wounds, it is more about how to survive against infected people and how to avoid them. Viral is no classic in any way, or can win against the classic Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. Still, nice to see that some directors try to keep the parasite franchise alive, in present day. I am probably one of the few who have seen this film so late, since it has been out for quite some time, but what the hell, you can´t see them all at the release. Give Viral a chance, if you love science fiction horror. I better load my shotgun, just in case those damn parasites attack again from the Jehovas Witnesses center.

Rating: DDD