Contraband [2012]

A mind-blowing emotional thriller packed with action, romance, and serious thematic adventure. I have a love-hate conflict with this film. Being a huge fan of Mark Wahlberg, I was pumped for some serious "Wahlbergian" take downs and first-rate acting; however, when I read that Kate Beckinsale was on the team too, I about drop-kicked my computer out the second-story window.

Mark Wahlberg (Chris) pulled together another phenomenal performance. The drama, the intense action, the conflict between good and bad were so poignantly portrayed that I couldn't help but chalk this up to yet another great Wahlberg film.

Kate Beckinsale (Kate) however, was yet again at her best - average. With her semi-realistic acting and less than charming personality, you're almost happy you don't see her much during the movie. As the mother of Chris' two kids, she plays the role of protective mother quite well, but fails epicly trying to play the innocent wife. Once again not too shocking.

The story has a Gone in 60 Seconds feel to it. Where a father is thrust back into a dangerous albeit illegal profession because his kid brother-in-law gets himself in too deep with some drug thugs. Having to put family and career on the line, Chris Farraday, takes a job that will lead him to more surprises and mishaps then he ever could have seen coming. The Paycheck style ending with a seemingly lost cause leaves you leaning back, pumping your fists in the air for a "NO WAY" kind of feel.

A few things to note:

1. Beware the language. If you have a weak stomach for lots of f-bombs and gangster lingo, then maybe you should swing by and see The Adventures of Tintin instead. Although I would prefer not to hear such jargon onscreen, I understand the use to help accurately portray the gangsters using it.
2. If you find yourself getting woozy over needles or blood, do not watch this film. Maintaing the integrity of the drug-running culture there are guns and there is blood, so I'm not surprised to see either pervasive in this movie.
3. Being a Wahlberg flick, you find little to no nudity/sexual content. This is why I applaud Wahlberg most of the time. Now, I haven't seen all his films. but the ones I have seen, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being American Pie nudity, Wahlberg films are -2. As a guy, I find this very refreshing that I can watch a film and have no worries of being lambasted with girls' nude bodies drizzled all over the screen.

Overall, for lovers of Wahlberg, this is a must see. If you are Kate Beckinsale lover, well, put on a pot of coffee, because you might need some kick in order to stay awake during her performance. I enjoyed this film with a few reservations for the umbrella storyline and the illegitimate supporting actress.

Because of the third-rate supporting actors/actress and the parallels to previous storylines, I am inclined to give this film 3 out of 5 kilos of coke (because clocks are too mainstream).

Thanks for reading.

~From the library of J.B. Wadsworth