Rated R
1 hour 40 minutes

Mark Wahlberg
Kate Beckinsale
Ben Foster

Mark Wahlberg should have known better: once a smuggler always a smuggler. Contraband tells the well worn saga of the reformed criminal returning to his underworld roots. That’s a good thing since he’s hooking up again with grubby charismatic creeps like Giovanni Ribisi.

You know the drill. The resourceful Walberg bails his good for nothing kid brother out of a tight spot. Even If It means being drawn back into a life of crime and having to deal with slimy characters like Ribisi who gives the picture a depraved sense of realism.

Contraband compensates for its weak story with gritty atmosphere and no-stop action as a European style thriller complete with intriguing cinematography.
The always crowd pleasing Kate Beckinsale makes the most of his small but telling role as the deeply concerned love of Walberg’s hectic life.

Contraband is an effective escape into the sordid world of double dealing criminals with their own peculiar codes of honor. Customs will have no problem clearing Contraband with 3 stars.

There’s nothing like starting the new movie year with a good, rip roaring action thriller.