Contraband - 2012

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur

Cast:

• Chris Farraday – Mark Wahlburg
• Sebastian Abney – Ben Foster
• Danny Raymer – Lukas Haas
• Kate Farraday – Kate Beckinsale
• Tim Briggs – Giovani Ribisi
• Ben Farraday – William Lucking
• Captain Camp – J. K. Simmons

Story: So Chris Farraday used to be a smuggler..an A-1 smuggler. He didn't smuggle drugs, but he did smuggle high end items. But all that is behind him now. He owns a security company, installing and maintaining security systems for wealthy clients. Until he gets the word, his brother-in-law was smuggling drugs into the country and had to dump his shipment when they were about to be boarded by Customs. Now he is on the hook for the money paid for the product and Chris has to get back into the business for one last job. He leaves his wife and son in the care of Sebastian, a former smuggler and alcoholic who now has a construction business. While he is away, the criminals are harassing his wife and son, his brother-in-law makes a stupid mistake, and Chris has to make some quick decisions to save his wife and son from the real criminals.

Review: Great action and a great cast combine to make this an exceptional action fim. Okay, so the premise of the film is tried and true, an expert criminal who has gotten out of the life (Gone in 60 Seconds, etc.) is forced back in to protect a loved one. Interesting that Giovanni Ribisi is the criminal this time, tattooed and viscous, and Mark Wahlburg is the former smuggler. But when you watch the film, the entire cast is fluid and coherent, and the action is logical and reasonable. Ben Foster does an excellent job in his part, and it is nice to see Lukas Haas in a role that doesn't involve aliens or lovesick people. Veteran William Lucking, whose portrayal of “tough guys” through the years has entertained literally millions, is believable as Mark Wahlburg's dad, and J. K. Simmons (Emil Skoda in Law and Order and the Farmer's Insurance Guy) is excellent as the corrupt Captain Camp. So in addition to a great cast, the action scenes are flawless, the continuity is perfect, and film has a consistent feel throughout that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Rated R for violence and language, this may not be a collectible unless you're a Wahlburg fan, but certainly one for the folks who love a “crime never pays” film with plenty of comeuppance for the bad guys.