Contraband

3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (249 customer reviews)
A reformed smuggler (Mark Wahlberg) must pull off one last run to protect his family. This action thriller about the cutthroat world of smuggling is "dynamic, intense and gritty!" - Mark S Allen, CBS/CW-TV (Sacramento)
  • Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale
  • Directed by: Baltasar Kormakur
  • Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Release year: 2012
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
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Product Details
Synopsis: A reformed smuggler (Mark Wahlberg) must pull off one last run to protect his family. This action thriller about the cutthroat world of smuggling is "dynamic, intense and gritty!" - Mark S Allen, CBS/CW-TV (Sacramento)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale
Supporting actors: Ben Foster, Giovani Ribisi, Lukas Haas, Caleb Landry Jones, Diego Luna, J.K. Simmons
Directed by: Baltasar Kormákur
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Universal Pictures
MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence, pervasive language and brief drug use
ASIN: B007RFJ4QM
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Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: January 13, 2012
  • MPAA: Rated R for violence, pervasive language and brief drug use
  • Production Company: Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Blueeyes Productions, Leverage Management
  • Filming Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA | Panama City, Panama

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Customer Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
(249)
3.6 out of 5 stars
See all 249 customer reviews
“ I have watched this movie five times and will watch it again. ” Booper  |  39 reviewers made a similar statement
“ Lots of action and very good acting. ” TomTom  |  48 reviewers made a similar statement
“ It has a better plot line and story. ” Paul Carney  |  30 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 71 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Good for Wahlberg fans March 6, 2012
By Dr. James Gardner VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
"Contraband" is a 2011 action film starring Mark Wahlberg as a former smuggler reluctantly drawn back into the game for one last score, this time to help his brother-in-law (Caleb Landry Jones) who got in too deep with the bad guys (Giovanni Ribisi).

For the past few years Wahlberg has been cranking out the action films at a pace that truly amazes. He's been nominated twice for an Oscar ("The Fighter" in 2010 and "The Departed" in 2006) and recognized for "Three Kings" (1999), and "Four Brothers" (2005), although my favorite Wahlberg role (and guilty pleasure) "Shooter" (2007) has been ignored on the awards circuit.

If his awards were not sufficient praise, Wahlberg has delivered at the box office. Seven of his films have neared or topped the elusive $100 Million mark, and most of his films have been among the top 10.

And if awards and box office clout aren't enough, Wahlberg has a second career as a producer, a role he served on this film and on Oscar nominated "The Fighter" (2010) as well as several TV series ("Broadwalk Empire", "Entourage").

Unfortunately, Wahlberg is about the best thing in this film, apart from some good action scenes with lots of explosions and a coy performance from J. K. Simmons who apparently got time off from his role as the Police Chief in "The Closer".

Perhaps the problem is with the writers (Aaron Guzikowski, Arnaldur Indrioason, Oskar Jonasson) and director (Baltasar Kormakur), none of whom have much experience with American style action films. But they worked on an Icelandic thriller "Reykjavik-Rotterdam" (2008) and that film was the basis of this one. Or, more likely, the problem is that the villain, Giovanni Ribisi, simply carries no menace. Ribisi is a very talented actor ("Boiler Room", "Saving Private Ryan", "The Rum Diary"), but he's out of his depth in this genre.

Reviews were unanimously poor. Roger Ebert referred to the film as "crap" and said he was getting tired of violent retreads". Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) gave it 2 stars and complained that Wahlberg sleepwalks through the film. The NY Times called the story absurd and referred to the film as "thrill free".

Despite the poor reviews, "Contraband" earned more than $20 Million in its opening weekend and is on schedule to hit the $100 Million mark.

Bottom line - if you're a Mark Wahlberg fan you'll enjoy this one, but it is clearly one of his lesser accomplishments.
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48 of 54 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Completely underrated movie April 25, 2012
By D
Format:Blu-ray
Considering the fact that there are not many reviews about this movie yet, I was surprised that there have been no 5 stars yet. Now I am a picky person and have watched my share of movies so very rarely will I give a movie a 5 star unless it grabs me and I am on the edge of my seat. This one grabbed my attention from start to finish. It reminds me a lot of the Italian Job. Just when you think you know what is going on in the movie, it slaps you in the face and takes you in a different direction. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and part of liking a movie is how the movie ends. Some movies are great all the way through until the ending. Some end the way it should, while some end in the way it shouldn't. I thought this ending fit well and I was pleased. So my advice to you, is if you like Italian Job you will like this. It's just hard for me to understand why someone would give this movie anything less than a 4 star.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This WAS a good movie April 28, 2012
By Renee Pruett
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
Pooh on all the negative reviews when this is up against Tom Cruise and his predictable Mission Implausable installment. Other than the too-stupid-to-believe incident when Kate Beckinsale meets up with some plastic, this is a good movie. Because it offers characters like Ribisi, Caleb Landry Jones (who was outstanding), Ben Foster (also very good), and David O'Hara in a mix of bad guys that doesn't seem normal, it still works. There are lots of unexpected turns. Ribisi is a different bad guy. Creepier than most, but less violent than most. It's not a typical action film because the writers and director of this film are not American. I loved it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars ACTION
Great action movie ! One of Wahlberg's best ever ! Totally believable storyline. If you like action this is a must see !
Published 1 day ago by bilannka
2.0 out of 5 stars Cliche at Its Finest
It is not appealing to watch such a film that is such a cliche regarding gang-related drug films, but Wahlberg holds his own.
Published 2 days ago by Joshua L.
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth watching
This was a pretty good movie overall. If you like Mark Wahlberg, it is definitely worth watching. If you don't like him, then don't. That simple
Published 6 days ago by Justin
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining but Predictable
You can guess the plot twists and see the movies direction. However, Mark delivers a good performance as usual and can entertain you for a watch.
Published 6 days ago by tim leigh
5.0 out of 5 stars Movie
Very interesting movie. Lots and lots of twists. Lots of action. The ending is one of the best i have seen.
Published 8 days ago by David N. Carlson
4.0 out of 5 stars Wahlberg was excellent
This was a sleeper movie for me; I'd not heard of it; Wahlberg was excellent, in fact I've watched 3 of his movies lately, all are excellent..
Published 9 days ago by C. Roth
3.0 out of 5 stars 3 to 4 stars,, maybe 3.6
Was an okay movie, nothing really spectacular in my eyes, Rented it for a flight to kill time, had watched the ending on tv and wanted to watch it from the beginning.
Published 9 days ago by Richard E. Gerber
3.0 out of 5 stars This Contraband is not valuable enough
Baltasar Kormakur remakes his heist film ` Reykjavik-Rotterdam' as Contraband with Wahlberg in as the main lead. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Amit Talpade
4.0 out of 5 stars Contraband
This was another good Mark Wahlberg movie, and I loved Kate Beckinsale in it. The action was good, the story was good, overall a solid movie.
Published 13 days ago by Kathryn S. Steves
4.0 out of 5 stars Good but a Bit Much
This is a good action movie, but its plot is a little old: Just another shady-but- "cool" character who, with the help of other shady characters, gets in a lot of trouble... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Wade Pickering
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