Contraband (Rated R)
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Lukas Haas
Directed by Baltasar Kormakur
Plot: After his brother-in-law runs afoul of some very bad people, a retired smuggler must make one more run to save him.
I'm not a fan of Mark Wahlberg. As far as acting goes in the Wahlberg family, I prefer Donny on CBS's Blue Bloods. And ever since Andy Samberg parodied him on Saturday Night Live, whenever I see him I just hear, “Hello Goat. I like your beard. Say hi to your mother for me.” It makes it hard to take him seriously.
My feelings about Wahlberg aside, Contraband isn't anything to get too excited about. It's a rote by-the-numbers heist film – it lacks originality and has its share of plot holes. In addition, the dialogue is weak and the film never really drew me in.
The plot is very familiar. A former smuggler trying to go straight gets pulled back in to save his brother-in-law who dumped a shipment for a drug dealer. Wahlberg has to step up if he wants to save his family. Not wanting to haul drugs (hey, he's a smuggler with a code), Wahlberg's character puts together a team and heads to Panama to bring in a load of counterfeit money,
The highlight of the film is Giovanni Ribisi as a ruthless dealer intent on getting what he wants. Kate Beckinsale also does a nice job as Wahlberg's wife as does Ben Foster as his friend who is trying to hide a secret.
There are definitely worse films than Contraband, but I'd say wait for the DVD. I don't think its worth the cost of seeing it in the theater.
If you'd like to see Contraband, it is playing at the Ames Cinemark Movies 12. Log on to Cinemark.com. If you live outside the Ames area, Fandango.com has listing for theaters and showtimes near you.
Comments