Contraband (2012) User Reviews

Contraband is Paint by Numbers

[toddatthemovies · 6/10 · 13 January 2012]

Contraband is a paint by numbers action/thriller. It would be easy to pick on everything that this movie wasn't, but can you blame chicken nuggets for being chicken nuggets? With a rookie screenwriter at the helm, the script suffers from a mash-up of cliché's. They start with "One last heist" and end with "If you want to save your family you'll do as you're told". There were many déjà-vu moments of been there and done that.

The star power was strong, but given so very little to work with in the way of character back story. All the characters were two dimensional representations of stereotypes. The locations (New Orleans & Panama) were interesting choices but never really quite fit. While the movie wasn't action packed, it moved at a good pace and kept my interest the whole time. The film work was solid as a whole. There was one particular action sequence that takes place around the halfway mark that was done very well.

If you have a craving that only chicken nuggets will satisfy, then I think you will come away fairly happy. Not a necessity to see on the big screen, but that helps it a little. Leave your thinking cap outside, that's the contraband that will keep you from enjoying this as it was intended.

Contraband- 5 category review

[nathan-276 · 6/10 · 13 January 2012]

Directing 6/10- Some unique and intriguing shots, but nothing too rememberable Acting 8.5/10- The acting is the category that without a doubt, stole the show. Solid efforts from the entire cast but the film really benefited from tremendous performances from Ribisi and Landry Jones. Screenplay 4/10- The screenplay is fun no doubt and benefits from decent pacing and a few intense action sequences but the film lacks originality, stealing concepts and at times, lines. Visual effects 5/10- The visual effects were average. I can't completely fault a film for not using unnecessary visuals. Sound effects/Music 5/10- The sound effects were fine, nothing misplaced there. The music was again just OK, sometimes the music was great and mixed well with the action going on but in some the haunting/emotional scenes the music didn't make the scene 'better', which is what it should do. Overall, the film is just another forgettable action film. The film has decent enough story (though cliché), with great acting and some fun action sequences that make the film at least worth a viewing.

A slightly above average thriller

[DoctorRabbit · 7/10 · 8 April 2012]

If you've seen the trailer, you can already tell that Contraband really doesn't have anything new to offer as a film. It has a typical heist/revenge thriller plot with some thrills and good action sequences. However, Contraband manages to be a slightly better than your typical thriller.

Mark Wahlberg gives a really good performance and Giovanni Ribisi did a really great job as the films over-the-top villain. The film does a great job of getting down the gritty tone and gives the film a realistic feel to it. I also enjoyed how instead of being a straight out action flick, the film actually took time to develop what they had with the plot and show the whole set up of the heist.

For most of it's nearly 2 hour runtime, Contraband kept me entertained for the most part. It still suffers from it's expected flaws. The plot isn't exactly strong and is pretty convoluted and very predictable. I also didn't care for the way the film wrapped up.

Overall, there really isn't a whole lot about to say about Contraband, but I would highly recommend it to someone who is looking for a good rental. If you like Marky Mark, than it's worth a shot.

It's alright but nothing new or innovative

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 10 March 2012]

Mark Wahlberg is back to his roots in something he is good in and probably wants to be in. This is basically a smuggling movie with a bit of heist in it and it trying to go in a gritty direction when it comes to the smuggling business. So Chris Farraday(Mark Wahlberg) has a wife and kids and running a legal business until his wife's brother Andy tries to get into the smuggling business and screws it up. And gets in debt with Tim Briggs(Giovanni Ribisi) and so Chris has to get back into smuggling in order to pay off Andy's debt. So Chris Farraday is this big shot top of the top when it comes to smuggling back in the day, but he just makes obvious mistakes in this movie. For someone who gone a long way depending on his wits doesn't seem that bright in this movie sometimes. Kate Beckinsale is alright in this playing Chris's wife but nothing much, and her name is Kate in this as well. Ben Foster plays a friend of Chris Farraday and from his past movies he is pretty good at playing the sidekick/friend that is sorta complex and is unclear about his motives sometimes. And he plays that similar character well in this. The movie starts off alright and the smuggling mission is done alright but nothing new but the movie just seemed absurd and stupid when it came to Chris Farraday's family constantly getting threatened while Chris is away on the smuggling mission. Anyways there is just nothing new or innovative about this movie and there isn't really anything that will really grab your attention and interest from beginning to the end. Even the ending is super cliché, especially for a movie that does these sharp in and out camera shots to make it seem gritty. The movie just gets tiresome after about an hour and 15 minutes in. It's worth seeing if there isn't anything else that is good but nothing special either.

6.1/10

Implausible story.

[PWNYCNY · 6/10 · 15 February 2012]

If you like movies where every principal character is a bad guy, then this movie will definitely be for you. Plausibility is thrown to the wind as the creators of this movie have a field day showing what happens when bad guys are in conflict with even badder guys. The problem with the story is that the "good" guy is really a bad guy who is trying to pass himself off as a good guy, which is so phony that even the other characters in the story don't believe it, and if they don't believe it, then don't expect the audience to believe it either. Mark Wahlberg is a wonderful actor and he proves it again in this movie. But he can't overcome his character's incomprehensible behavior. It's one thing for one brother to want to help out another brother - that is altruistic. However, it's something else entirely when the same brother does exactly the same thing that got the other brother into trouble. Nevertheless, there is some good acting and Kate Beckinsdale is as usual beautiful and probably played the most believable role.

It's alright

[bruceleroyjr · 7/10 · 22 January 2012]

It's alright.

That's a perfect description. Should you watch it? Yes. But I'd feel better about myself if I waited for this one and watched it at home.

This is a basic heist movie, but the details of the heist are not very clearly defined and presented to the audience. Oceans 11, Italian Job and the like really spell it out for you - in Contraband we just get a loose overview. The suspension of belief required in some areas of the movie just kind of deflates the entire film a bit. Not too much, just a bit. Maybe my expectations were too high?

Marky Mark does a fine job and the movie is fine. It's enjoyable. But, it's not great. And I want great from Wahlberg because I've gotten it before and I know he can do it. The other members of the cast range from passable to good, not great, except for Ribisi who really gets under your skin and delivers a menacing and chilling performance. No sex, but there are some beat 'em up scenes and graphic gun fights. The language is pretty clean overall - not unnecessarily vulgar at least.

In my opinion, Mark Wahlberg has been an inconsistent actor. He's had some high levels of success and other times it just seems like his movies are just OK. I wonder if he has internalized this and just works to collect a check... I don't know. I hope he frequently makes movies, but I also hope he makes a few more great ones, instead of just "alright."

With all that being said, I was entertained. It's a fine movie and good enough for the movie theater. But again, if you're trying to maximize your $10.00, take a look at some of the other offerings this week.

Good Wahlberg action movie. Strong storytelling after the cliché start.

[MosHr · 8/10 · 11 January 2012]

Contraband starts like "Gone in 60 Seconds", but instead of boosting cars it's about smuggling contraband, and like GI6S it's because of an idiot younger brothers and familial responsibilities that brings an ex-criminal/smuggler out of retirement for that one last job. Chris our smuggler protagonist is deemed the Houdini of smuggling but in reality, he's a general super bad-ass who can talk fast, kick ass and smuggle at superhero levels. We are then treated to the Mark Wahlberg show where it's hard to imagine anything adverse happening to him and we just go along with the ride.

The movie is at its best after it sheds its GI6S intro and moves to the nitty gritty details of smuggling. The movie feels at home at sea where everything is calculated and ordered, but while on land, the movie is always bizarre, violent and out of control. This lends for some really angular storytelling that keeps the movie exciting and interesting.

It's great to see Kate Beckinsdale in the movies again though she plays the wife whose main role is to look great and be in distress, a far cry from her iconic Underworld Selene or from her last movie Whiteout.

On the whole it's a good action movie and if you liked Mark Wahlberg's previous movies like the Italian Job and Shooter, you will also like this.

100% implausible

[silmarieni · 4/10 · 7 April 2012]

Contraband would be much more enjoyable were it the least plausible and make a little sense.

As it is it really is a joke and the writers must either think we are IQ-free or they snorted way too much coke while writing the scenario.

I won't go into details to avoid spoilers but I'm sure those who want to check will find everything in other critics and forum entries.

It is still a perfectly watchable action movie thanks to a great cast (but please never use Kate Beckinsale's hairdresser ever again) if you really have 2 hours to loose but otherwise you absolutely can avoid watching it.

Mark Walberg is Great in Intense Contraband

[CaptMTS · 8/10 · 13 January 2012]

Contraband is a well-made action film with strong acting, good directing, and great cinematography that draws you into New Orleans, Panama, and their freight ship. Mark Walberg plays a man pulled back into his smuggling past to right the wrongs of his naive brother-in-law and protect his family.

Mark Walberg is excellent as the lead character. He is strong in the action scenes on his smuggling trip to Panama , and he is just as good in dramatic scenes calling his wife to help her back home. He is a strong protagonist who is likable and draws a lot of empathy as he tries to fight the bad guys and save his family.

Walberg is supported by a strong cast. Giovannis Ribisi does well as a dirty, corrupt smuggler who terrorizes his family, Ben Foster is excellent as Walberg's recovering addict and alcoholic ex-smuggling parter who struggles to do the right thing. And, Kate Beckinsale is great as Walberg's wife, who also must fight to protect her family.

The director does a great job of building intensity throughout the film. He brings the audience into the smuggling trade in a realistic and believable manner. And, the director effectively engages the audience in the drama and action at three locations simultaneously as the film builds to its resolution back in New Orleans.

Overall, the film is a strong action film. If you dismiss the standard plot and some lapses of reality, you'll enjoy the intense action, strong acting, and great scenery. Catch Contraband in the theaters to enjoy it on the big screen.

Just be careful about smuggling your own candy into the theater.

more like a contradiction

[lee_eisenberg · 4/10 · 2 February 2021]

I understand that Baltasar Kormákur's "Contraband" is a remake of an Icelandic movie. I'd be interested in seeing the original movie, but this remake is just an excuse for nonstop action. I did like some of the scenes in Panama, though.

Predictable but highly entertaining

[tmp93828 · 6/10 · 20 January 2012]

Despite being a typical and highly predictable alpha-male action hero flick, Contraband is a tense crime film that doesn't ask too much emotionally of its star. Now although every twist and turn is noticeably coming scenes in advance, the acting is actually on par and in large part to so some perfectly casted roles. As always, J.K. Simmons and Ben Foster deliver on point and pitch perfect performances. Even Giovanni Ribisi brings his A game as gritty criminal close to the bottom of the food chain. Now midway through this movie, I'll admit I was a little turned off by just how easy it was to foresee the near future, but some solid action scenes and particularly the heist scenes kept my interest peaked and ended up making me enjoy the film much more than I had anticipated I would. To put it simply, Contraband is for anyone who likes a good action-caper and quite enjoyable if you can excuse its predictability. I'd give it a C+.

A Thriller That Lacks Any Thrills

[Michael_Elliott · 22 May 2012]

Contraband (2012)

** (out of 4)

After his brother-in-law messed up a drug deal and has the pusher threaten his life, Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) decides to do one more smuggle job to pay off the debt but soon he begins to realize the his best friend (Ben Foster) might have betrayed him. CONTRABAND is a remake of a film and it's interesting to note that the director of this, Baltasar Kormakur, was actually the star of the original. It's a pretty unique situation to have the star of a film direct its remake but it's clear that he probably should have left that job to someone else. I'm not going to blame 100% of the film's failure on him but there's no question that he adds very little to the material on hand. There are way too many scenes where I'm guessing the director thought he was delivering something stylish but it just comes across rather amateurish. Take a look at the scene where Foster falls off the wagon and you'll get a perfect example. Another problem with the direction is that there's just not enough drama in it for this thriller to work. Part of that problem can go towards the screenplay because it never really gives us a reason to care for any of these characters. There are bad scumbags all over the place but the problem is that we're supposed to be rooting for the Wahlberg character but that's hard to do for a number of reasons. You certainly don't feel sorry for the brother-in-law and by the time the film was over I grew rather frustrated with the actions of Wahlberg's character as well as his wife played by Kate Beckinsale. The cast offers up some nice performances but none of them are really being stretched or challenged by the material. CONTRABAND probably could have been a better movie in someone else's hand but as it is it's just a thriller with no thrills.

"What would you hide to protect your family?"

[theinaniloquent · 7/10 · 2 February 2012]

To protect his brother-in-law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

It was another "spontaneous movie-weekend" and I decided to go for Contraband, a movie that seems to deliver. I really didn't have anything to get on, only that the trailer made it seem plausible. Sitting down, popcorn ready, movie starting; I seemingly enjoyed this above-average thriller that surely delivers the one and only thing it requires: your entertainment. Let's start on my favorite subject: the directing. What annoyed me the most was this exact thing. The cinematography was horribly messy, and everything was so fast-paced, your going to be tracking back of what happened. Trust me, it's not THAT bad, but it does require some readying beforehand. The acting was decent. We have Mark Waulburg, who I can say is a very great actor. Kate Beckinsale is her usual self, which is always a good thing. Everybody else did a good job, but most notably was the main villain Eirkur, played by Giovanni Ribisi. We've seen the guy in movies before, but either his performance was more so of a background character, or he didn't show his true ability. In Contraband, all feelings are about to reverse. When he talks throughout, he mumbles, you can't understand him, it's a bit creepy. And that's the whole point of a villain. He's supposed to test the hero's strength and ability, and although this isn't some superhero movie, it still does a great job realizing this. He gets the most notable role. Next, we have the action. Although the movie isn't fully geared on action, the movie has it's scenes. Some are intense, some are just shoot-em-up, and some are gritty and violent. I liked the diversity, really, but each time an action scene showed, I knew I had to concentrate hard to see what's to happen. Lastly, I'd like to take note on how horrendous the first half of the film is. I enjoyed the presentation and the way the film builds itself, but some of it was completely pointless. I found myself rethinking of any expectations I had beforehand, and then the second half saves it. Great twist, great action, and a real great story- telling. If it weren't for the Resurrection there, I surely would not have been a happy man. In conclusion, I enjoyed Contraband. Although it wasn't the best movie of 2012, it packed a lot of fun and drama. I like the performances, the action, and the pure awesomeness it consumes. I recommend it! 7/10.

One of Mark's Best

[scunned69 · 10/10 · 12 January 2012]

From the very beginning to the dramatic end, the movie is thrilling. There is not a scene in the movie which drags the story and every bit is to a point. His acting is simple, on point and brilliant as usual and this is one of the best smuggling films i would add to, after Italian job and various others make to a good list. The fact that it brings family, friendship, love, hate, betrayal and the usual bad guy in the film may make it sound all ordinary as most of the films have almost the same characters these days, but the reason i would ask you guys to watch this film is because the touch it has unlike most of them out these days.

I don't think timing is any bit of a problem in this movie and the way in which the scenes unfold is what i think keep you at the edge of your seat through the movie. Anywhoo, A must watch! I loved it personally.

good straight forward action.

[deatman9 · 7/10 · 22 November 2012]

Another one of Mark Wahlbergs action films. Which is probably one of his better ones. The plot is interesting and has not been done 1000 times and the acting is good from the whole cast. This is actually one of the better action movies I have seen lately. The story line is very simple and straight forward but if your a fan of action movies this is right up your alley.

This movie is about an ex smuggler(Wahlberg) who has a brother in law that got mixed up with some drug dealers. In order to save his brother in laws life he must go to panama and smuggle back millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

This movie is definitely worth a watch or two. It is very simple but the entertainment factor is there.

Enjoyable heist

[joanl-1 · 9/10 · 14 January 2012]

I really enjoyed this film. Altho some characters are expected, there are some new characters who I found interesting. Enough unexpected turns to keep me interested. And the plot is easy to follow, not some fantastic indecipherable thriller you can never figure out. A lot of the movie is shot in shipping yards of New Orleans and Panama including the locks. Also credits were given to Iceland and not sure what that was. Liked Mark Wahlberg, and David O'Hara (and his Scottish accent) was a surprise. Not enough car chases for other reviewers? Not enough sex, werewolves, vampires, or torture, drug use or sci-fi story lines? Too bad. A great and clever heist with some nice twists. Very enjoyable.

Watchable

[mrpoizun · 6/10 · 15 January 2015]

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.

Sneaky good

[RobTheWatcher · 6/10 · 9 July 2022]

I went into this movie with minimal expectations but it was actually pretty good. Despite some bad acting and gaps in the story line/realism, it was exciting and action packed.

Hollow, yet perfectly watchable

[adamscastlevania2 · 7/10 · 24 April 2015]

(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.

Had potential but plot was hackneyed

[matty_mushroom1983 · 6/10 · 4 November 2020]

Well yeah you know, another "protagonist reprises abandoned skill set to after bad guys" type deal. Mark Wahlberg, in my book, 99%of the time does his roles well just by being himself. Giovanni Ribisi doesn't always get given the most honest roles; that is to say his voice in Contraband is phong and unbelievable, but that's not on him, that's not he director in the same way you wouldn't cast John Cena as Barney the dinosaur; he'll just be earning a cheque, but the director is the one screwing it up. Ribisi's character in Avatar made me despise him until he redeemed himself in Million Ways To Die In The West as a spineless cuckold with no self esteem... because that was a role he did well among many others.

Average thriller

[Luigi Di Pilla · 6/10 · 14 June 2020]

Watch it if you have nothing special to do and just enjoy it. It offers entertainment, suspense and a solid crime story. Sure, not one of the best movies with Mark Wahlberg but still one to have a good time. You won't talk about Contraband the day after. 6.5/10 that matches the actual rating on IMDb.

Excellent

[timrlarson-639-840060 · 9/10 · 11 March 2012]

Don't believe the reviewers, this action packed adventure thrilled and entertained the entire audience. Even got spotty applause which is a rarity except for the most exceptional films.

Great camera work gave exciting glimpses of the Panama Canal, the Canal Zone and the port of New Orleans.

Contraband is a perfect portrayal of the gritty life of crime, and the amoral people who live it. Several exciting twists and turns make the ending a surprise not even my genius plot detective wife could figure out beforehand.

Mark Wahlberg continues to give us one realistic performance after another. Leave the kids at home and go see this action packed thriller.

A decent but typical Drug Heist

[amahlanand · 6/10 · 9 May 2012]

A thriller cum heist movie with some of the ingenuity of Oceans Eleven but minus the flair, 'Contraband' combines a respectably engaging plot with otherwise generally bland characters. This is, apart from J.K Simmons who expertly combined a brand of gruffness, humour and cynicism in a very Simminsesque role, not too unlike his J. Jonah Jameson persona from the 'Spider Man' films. The real drawback of the film was the failure to delve deeper within Ben Foster's already complex and disturbed character, Sebastian, who could have potentially driven the film. It wasn't a compelling, new spin on a drug heist but neither did it fail miserably.

Awful movie

[gustok · 2/10 · 26 May 2012]

Awfully horrible movie. It starts with unreal characters. Panama's part is nothing but a handful of clichés. Specially Diego Luna's character. He plays the usual Latino crazy gangsta but he ain't pulling it off this time. Also the triangle between Whalberg, Beskinsale and Foster is beyond credibility. Not a 5 year old could buy it. I didn't know the director but I read he's from Iceland. Maybe he should think about leaving Hollywood and going back to Iceland's lingering movie scene. The producer has got his quota of failure. Getting helicopters, big boats and an uncommon location doesn't gives you an action flick. A 100 minutes video clip with dreadful performances and lousy photography. Avoid it.

Great Action Film with Many Twists

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 28 July 2012]

In New Orleans, the former smuggler Chris Faraday (Mark Wahlberg) has regenerated and raised a family of his own with his wife Kate (Kate Beckinsale) and their two children. Chris works in installation of alarms and his father in locked in prison for smuggling.

When his brother-in-law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones) dumps in the sea water 10 pounds of cocaine that he is smuggling for the drug lord Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi) to escape from the custom officers, Chris is forced to pay Andy's debts to protect the youngster and his own family. Chris leaves his wife and children under the protection of his best friend Sebastian Abney (Ben Foster) and travels in a Container Carrier to Panama to bring counterfeit bills and raise the money to pay Briggs. But Briggs and his partner want to force Chris to smuggle drugs and will use his family to reach their objective. Meanwhile Chris is betrayed and gets in trouble in Panama.

"Contraband" is a great action film with an engaging story that combines action, thriller and drama. The cast is excellent with Mark Wahlberg in the lead role and Giovanni Ribisi is almost unrecognizable in the role of a cruel drug dealer. The plot has many twists with betrayals and the cinematography in New Orleans and Panama is wonderful. The ironic conclusion is a sort of contemporary "The Sting". My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Contrabando" ("Contraband")