Contraband

Name: Contraband
Genre: Thriller
Released: January 13, 2012
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 51

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 151 Ratings

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6.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 151 Ratings

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Contraband

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: January 13, 2012 | R

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,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)

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Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Genre(s): Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Moore

Jan 12, 2012

A thriller with its share of nail-biting moments. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Jan 12, 2012

It's a genre film, not great art, though there's a good joke about art - a pricey piece of action painting, appropriately enough - but it's a thoroughly satisfying entertainment, and, in this season of lowered expectations, a nice surprise. Read full review

Mike Scott

Jan 13, 2012

What we're left with is a movie that is about as nourishing as the Junior Mints and nachos available at the theater snack bar. But, then, many a Friday night dinner has been made of far less. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

Jan 10, 2012

No one, however, could mistake Contraband for anything but what it is: a shift-job genre movie - not a bad day's work, content to match the blocky trudge of its star rather than attempt panache. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Jan 12, 2012

Ribisi has become the go-to guy for movie psychos, giving everything to performances like this one or as Moburg, the dissolute reporter in "The Rum Diary." Read full review

Claudia Puig

Jan 12, 2012

Contraband has a few moments of tension, but it adheres to a predictable heist formula hardly worth trafficking in. Read full review

Ben Sachs

Jan 12, 2012

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

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User Reviews

MomoMesh

Jan 18, 2012

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 drugA 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 momomesh.com… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

Andys_Reviews

Feb 24, 2013

I have to admit I quite enjoyed this trip into the shady world of smuggling. Most of the characters were quite believable and there weren’t too many plot holes that made the whole thing ridiculous. I also liked that the filmmakers kept the action sequences quite realistic (loved theI have to admit I quite enjoyed this trip into the shady world of smuggling. Most of the characters were quite believable and there weren’t too many plot holes that made the whole thing ridiculous. I also liked that the filmmakers kept the action sequences quite realistic (loved the shoot-out in Panama). As far as performances go, I thought it was pretty much run of the mill stuff for most of them. Kate Beckinsale was a bit underused and Giovanni Ribisi played the loathsome Briggs very well. I guess this ‘by the book’ thriller was never going to win any prizes, but I did find it entertaining and that’s all you can ask of a film of this ilk.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED My score: 7.4/10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tjacobs38

Oct 8, 2012

This movie was actually pretty good. Although right from the beginning i was able to see exactly what was going to happen as far as the plot is concerned. Still a pretty good movie with good amounts of action and suspense.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

bskrils

Feb 5, 2012

Contraband was your typical action film, if you feel like getting away for a while and watching an action film this movie will not disappoint. However, if you are looking for it to blow you away or if you expect it to be part of favorites it will not do that. It was a good movie to watch,Contraband was your typical action film, if you feel like getting away for a while and watching an action film this movie will not disappoint. However, if you are looking for it to blow you away or if you expect it to be part of favorites it will not do that. It was a good movie to watch, and surprisingly my wife requested that we go and see it(probably because of Mark Wahlberg) so apparently you may be able to not claim this as your movie choice and avoid another chick flick next time. There were a few twists and turns in the movie, but nothing you couldn't really figure out if your paying attention. I thought the pace was good and it did not have any slow parts that left you wanting to leave the theater. Characters and choice of actors was pretty good as well, besides Wahlberg and beckinsale most were relatively unknown or not mainstream but probably strong up anc comers. I probably won't see it again, but it was a good movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Matty_K

Jan 15, 2012

Ehhhh I'm not sure what to say about this movie. It was decent, but VERY predictable. I found myself guessing correctly what was going to happen next. Wahlberg was pretty cool, but his character was the same as always. My advice is to wait to rent this movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DTDunn

Jun 1, 2012

Flawed but watchable. Script is way too predictable. This is your basic "straight to video" type of action film. If you like Wahlberg, you should enjoy sitting through this one (just set your expectations to lowâ

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HDeezy

Feb 8, 2012

This film is utterly unsatisfying.
Not even slightly entertaining, some of the performances were utterly laughable, and the script was horrifyingly bad.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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