Contraband is an action thriller film adapted from a popular Icelandic movie, Reykjavík-Rotterdam, released in 2008. Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale play the role of husband and wife Chris and Kate Farraday, while Mexican actor Diego Luna plays the character of Gonzalo, and veteran actor J.K. Simmons portrays Captain Redmond Camp. The story revolves around Chris, a former smuggler, who is forced to return to the world of smuggling to protect his family’s safety after his brother-in-law, Andy, dumps the drugs he is smuggling during a Customs and Border Protection inspection. The situation turns complicated when the boss, Tim Briggs, demands Andy to replace the drugs or his family will be killed. Thus, Chris sets off on a quest for the replacement value and gets embroiled in theft, mafia negotiations, and smuggling, all in a bid to keep his family safe.
Plot
The film is set in New Orleans, eight years after Chris has left his job as a smuggler. Chris is living a peaceful life with Kate and their two children until Andy starts smuggling drugs and leaves Chris’ family in danger. During a Customs and Border Protection inspection, Andy panics and dumps the drugs into the Mississippi River, bringing Briggs to demand that Andy replace the lost drugs. When Andy cannot provide the replacement value, Tim puts Chris in danger by threatening his family.
Action and Thrill
Chris, with the help of his longtime friend, Sebastian Abney, enters the world of smuggling and sets out to replace the drugs by buying counterfeit currency in Panama, smuggling it back to America. They face resistance from Gonzalo and then involve themselves in stealing a heavily armored car. All the while, Chris is racing against time to save his family, which has been taken hostage by Sebastian after being exposed as a co-conspirator with Tim. The action and thrill-packed ride leads up to an intense finale, with Chris fighting for his family’s survival.
Conclusion:
Contraband is a captivating, action-packed movie with engaging performances from the cast, especially Wahlberg, who embodies the character of Chris. The plot is well-thought-out, and the conflict is intense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The movie does justice to its genre, and the viewers will be entertained throughout the movie. If you’re a fan of action thrillers, Contraband is a must-watch that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
