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Contraband
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Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 66 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • 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, Sebastian, to head to Panama and return with millions in counterfeit bills. Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before his wife, Kate, and sons become their target. (Universal Pictures) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Roger Moore
    Jan 12, 2012
    75
    A thriller with its share of nail-biting moments.
  2. Total Film
    Reviewed by: Jamie Graham
    Mar 18, 2012
    60
    Don't expect glamorous outlaws, sunny locales and exotic masterplans – this low-key thriller lifts the rusted lid off an all-too-real world of despairing criminality.
  3. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    Jan 12, 2012
    30
    It's exactly the sort of movie that Hollywood specializes in, the kind which seems on paper as if it ought to be entertaining, but winds up a massive and chaotic drag.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 6 out of 24
  1. ReviewCritic
    6
    Contraband is a cool crime movie. It is fun, dark, and suspenseful. Mark Whalberg has a great future ahead of him.
    • 3 of 5 users said yes
  2. gunnyart
    5
    Not a horrible film, but not one I'd recommend either. It tried to be clever and suspenseful but failed. You pretty well know what your going to get from the trailer and the surprise plot twists were no surprise at all or they came completely out of left field and didn't advance the story. Another complaint I have with the film is the pacing. The action tried to feel non-stop and frantic but the story takes place over a couple weeks not days. It just didn't flow. All in all I paid matinee price on a lazy afternoon and I'm not asking for my money back. If your a big Mark Walburg fan you'll find less fault with it.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  3. Vorlargen
    3
    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 sucked so much.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 24 User Reviews

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