Movie Review Rewind: Contraband (2012)

Brandon Vick flips the calendar back to 2012 for a look at Mark Wahlberg in Contraband on this edition of Movie Review Rewind.

Share This Post

We all love to watch Mark Wahlberg kick some ass. That is why we enjoy movies like The Italian Job, Four Brothers, and Shooter. It’s probably the same reason you will see or have already seen Contraband, Wahlberg’s latest movie in which he once again plays a tough guy who is now a family man trying to walk on the straight and narrow path through life. While Contraband seems to take place in familiar territory, it still remains a solid thriller that accomplishes its job to excite and entertain.

Wahlberg plays a former legendary smuggler named Chris Farraday. He has a family to take care of and has managed to start his own security system business. However, he is dragged back in to the dark world of international smuggling when his brother-in-law,  Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), messes up a drug deal for his unmerciful boss Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi). So in order to pay off a family debt, Chris, along with his best pal Sebastian (Ben Foster), assemble a crew to go to Panama and leave with millions of counterfeit bills. But, if he gets caught or time runs out, Briggs will not just come after them. He will kill the rest of Chris’ family too.

Director Baltasar Kormákur keeps a steady pace and everything that could go wrong for Wahlberg’s character does. But, we knew it wasn’t going to be a simple get in and get out movie. It has its share of cool action sequences and tense moments. And, Wahlberg does a nice job playing the bad dude who wants to do good. He has played this guy before so it’s not really a challenge for him, but Wahlberg will not disappoint his fans. I have enjoyed Foster in several films, the last being The Messenger. And his role in this adds another level to the movie, but you will have to go see it to find out what I mean.

Ribisi plays a man out of control and he is so damn good at it. Usually, it’s Foster who gets crazy, but not this time. Of course, I cannot forget about the beautiful Kate Beckinsale, who plays Wahlberg’s wife. Now, her character only cries, screams, and holds her kids for the most part, but at least she took a break from fighting werewolves and vampires, I guess. But don’t worry, she’ll get back to doing all of that in no time.

Contraband isn’t a movie that you will forever remember and cherish for the performances. It’s a movie where you don’t have to think and can just go to have a good time. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind that whatever you think will happen, probably will. Unless you think for some reason Wahlberg gets his ass kicked, but then you must have never watched one of his movies. That does not happen and it never should.

If you haven’t already, introduce yourself to 440 Sports – Nashville’s independent, on demand, and uncensored audio network. With shows covering the Tennessee Titans, SEC football, and much more, subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss a beat! And, be sure to check out our friends at Trouble Spirits – form your own Rat Pack with Trouble’s small-batch rye whiskey, hand-crafted gin, and premium vodka.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore