Contraband film review and trailer
MARK Wahlberg stars in Contraband, an above average thriller whose derivative plot – an ex-criminal persuaded to pull off one last job – is given fresh impetus by a novel setting (the world of cargo ship smuggling), muscular direction and fast-paced plotting.
Wahlberg’s Chris is a former smuggler who joins a cargo crew to Panama to smuggle back counterfeit cash and pay off a drugs boss (Giovanni Ribisi) owed money by his hapless brother-in-law. Needless, to say it all goes wrong.
The story grips as Chris has only hours to pull off an unlikely victory from the jaws of betrayal and defeat. Kate Beckinsale is wasted as his wife and a smug ending leaves a slightly sour taste but a well cast Wahlberg carries the day.
(15, 110mins)
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster
Verdict 3/5