Contraband Reviews (original) (raw)

Summary Chris Farraday long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy, botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs, Chris is forced back into doing what he does best--running contraband--to settle Andy's debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastia...

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A thriller with its share of nail-biting moments.

Kormákur and his collaborators want to tell a simple story cleanly, efficiently, and with a refreshing dearth of frills. They more or less realize their aspirations because they aim so low.

rating this a 10 to offset for bad ratings. Movie is exactly what you expect from a mark walhberg action flick.

A former smuggler (Mark Wahlberg), a move away from life, now runs his own security firm, and a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale), and three great kids, life can not be any better s. Until his wife's brother, is a smuggler, and a work of messes. This put him and his family, dangerous drug dealer (Giovanni Ribisi) in danger. So, now back to its old ways of the old smuggler order to save his family, but he is, or will be over his head? A pretty entertaining crime thriller. Mark Wahlberg is the title role, a tough guy like the old style. Kate Beckinsale as his wife alright, but it was not strong enough. Giovanni Ribisi is evil, it was awesome, enjoy it just does not like him. Lucas Haas and Ben Foster are also too good. In addition, a crime drama, really hard to satisfy you. Predicable moments, but it can still be entertaining. You can watch it here ****

Wahlberg has the presence, the glower and the laconic line readings to guide us through a mess of pain, painlessly.

This Americanized version of the 2008 Nordic thriller "Reykjavik Rotterdam" transfers the original's gritty, violent action into an entertaining and intense starring role for Mark Wahlberg.

Wahlberg could sleepwalk through this role, and does. See this movie and you'll surely follow his lead.

It's a thriller in which the twists become so absurd that it becomes a kind of caper, but without the humour.

Several graphically violent scenes of women and children in jeopardy make this, ultimately, beneath contempt.

Mark Wahlberg is certainly no genius, but when it comes to action movies, he's on top of his game. I wish I could say Contraband was an amazing film, but it was your typical, shoot 'em up action thriller, although the plot was better than most. A lot of critics bashed this film because of its predictability, but what do you expect from these types of films? The story, about an ex-smuggler, returning to his old ways to pay off an unexpected debt, was easy to follow and full of cool action sequences. That's really all you can ask for from these films and I rather enjoyed it. If you don't like action movies, don't watch them! If you do like them, Contraband is a pretty good one and few action stars bring to the table the experience that Whalberg has. If you're looking for something that you don't really have to think about, that will hold your attention, and kill a couple of hours, go with Contraband.

Contraband is long, stretchy and half baked. Mark Walhberg plays well with his guns provided by the direction, but more is needed. It's predictable, dark and funny. The scenes done by the beautiful Kate Beckinsale are amazing and the special effects are top notch. The sound blows in your face and but the acting by supporting roles is average. In the end, Contraband was a one time watch with some bad flaws.

The plot points weren't as predictable as they could've been, and despite the cliche dialogue, Baltasar Kormakur's Contraband makes to be a decent popcorn movie.

A friend of mine told me to see this because 'it was totally sick'! It wasn't, it was Hollywood formula at it's most banal. Trite and predictable with an atrocious script which is the usual case with mainstream films coming out of the good 'ol USA. Giovanni Ribisi is a brilliant talent but was underutilised. If he had a bigger role the film might not have **** so much.

Great, other action film, Contraband is the classic film of the next elements: the characters think what do, and after boom, kaboom, he die, they kill other guy, and is not funny, is same like The Mechanic and all this films of Statham.

Production Company Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Blueeyes Productions, Leverage Management, Closest to the Hole Productions, Farraday Films, Leverage Entertainment

Release Date Jan 13, 2012

Duration 1 h 50 m

Rating R

Tagline What would you hide to protect your family?

BMI Film & TV Awards

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination