Contraband (2012)

Absolutely Fantastic

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

(62%) An entertaining crime B-movie that marks a small improvement over the usual multiplex filler you always seem to find at the first quarter of the year. The cast is quite strong with the always decent Mark Wahlberg leading the way, and with the likes of Ben Foster, Kate Beckinsale, J.K Simmons and show stealer Giovanni Ribisi all forming a respectable package. The pacing is pretty decent; although this is more of a thriller than an all-out action film so don't expect tons of action. The script is very Hollywood at times and there's not a whole lot to get your teeth into, but overall this is a watchable time-passer coupled with a respectable cast and basic cinematic fun.

If all you want is an entertaining action film, this one is completely acceptable. Mark Wahlberg plays Mark Wahlberg, and I happen to like his usual screen persona, that of likable tough guy. But this movie does require a LOT of suspension of disbelief. Fist of all, there's the casting. The worst is Giovanni Ribisi. A less-imposing bad guy you'll never see. His weird high-pitched voice with an indecipherable accent along with a few verbal ticks will have you wondering why anyone would be afraid of him. Then there's Kate Beckinsale. It's impossible to believe that this elegant British beauty could be the foul-mouthed trailer park trash wife of a lowlife ex-smuggler. Even more laughable is the guy who plays her brother, a greasy, zit-faced, moronic little dweeb who couldn't possibly be related to her unless he was adopted from the pound. Beyond that, there are the usual absurdities of movies. The police never show up unless the script requires their presence, there's seldom any consequences for criminal acts, etc. In the end, Wahlberg is really just as bad as any other criminal. He's just more likable and intelligent. And the movie is an interesting look into the world of contraband smuggling on cargo ships. Have fun watching it. But be sure to check your sense of reality at the door.

CONTRABAND is a tale of cross-border drug-smuggling, centred around a tough, everyman character played by the underrated Mark Wahlberg. The film for the most part sidesteps modern-day Hollywood clichés, like shoehorned-in action scenes that add nothing to the storyline and are merely there to give choreographers and special effects guys a chance to earn their keep. For the record, there's only one (relevant) car chase.Instead this is a taut, suspenseful story that plays realistic for the most part, and all the better for it. The truth is that it doesn't bring anything new to the table and the thrills it chronicles are very familiar, but its depiction of the minutiae of the scenario keep it moving merrily along. It also has some suitably unpleasant bad guys to boo at.CONTRABAND also features a cast of former youthful stars who are nowadays moving into more mature roles. Ben Foster and Giovanni Ribisi play to type, but it's good to see Lukas Haas given some proper material and even Kate Beckinsale isn't too shabby. J. K. Simmons stands out in a supporting role as the ship's captain and Diego Luna once again delivers an edgy turn. The film might be no classic but for solid thrills and suspense you could do a lot worse.

There is something rather derivative about Contraband. Then again Giovanni Ribisi who plays a drug kingpin who somehow lives in a housing project threatens the life of Mark Wahlberg's brother in law for a drug smuggling operation gone wrong and it falls to Wahlberg to put things right you recall Gone in 60 seconds when it was Ribisi who was the unfortunate brother who had to be rescued by Nicolas Cage who had to steal customised cars in order to placate the gangsters.Mark Wahlberg and his crew are former ace smugglers now going straight. He has a wife (Kate Beckinsale) and 2 kids. However because his brother in law dumped drugs on the side of a ship, he is forced to go to Panama with some of his crew to make amends.For some reason his best friend (Ben Foster) stays behind but he is not left to protect Wahlberg's family who surely are in the mercy of Ribisi, especially as Wahlberg earlier attacked him and pulled a gun on him.In fact things would had been more simpler but also shorter if Wahlberg had just shot Ribisi there and then.What we have is a convoluted and confusing smuggling story where they plan to smuggle fake bills. However the brother in law steals the fake bills and buys cocaine as Ribisi keeps on threatening. Not sure how he knew his way around the Panama underworld, worse still by stealing the money he left the rest of the gang in the mercy of a gangland war lord. Lucky for them the warlord needed several people for a heist involving a Jackson Pollock and Wahlberg comes in handy.Still Ribisi always seem to be in the know and Wahlberg cannot really put his finger on it even though he is constantly keeping Foster in the loop.This really is one dumb action film. Its like a bad Tony Scott action film. You have scenes where Beckinsale who is being terrorised by Ribisi and she leaves her kids alone. She gets attack again, goes to stay with another friend and then goes to Foster's house to get some things. Why?There is not an ounce of originality in this film. Its badly shot, boringly directed and only J K Simmons as the ship's Captain makes the most of his brief role.