Contraband (**1/2 out of ****)

I can give some credit when it's due for Contraband was better than I thought. That doesn't it make something great. It's however some fun while it lasts. Mark Wahlberg plays a retired smuggler. He's called back into the business to protect his wife's (Kate Beckinsale) little brother. The film offers just the moderate amount of suspense and action called upon when making a Marky Mark action movie. Too bad it's been done to death before. Haywire it managed to add something new with tight filming but Contraband feels too familiar. Giovanni Ribisi, J.K Simmons, Lukas Haas, and Ben Foster offer some more fun each bringing something special to the plate. It's actually quite decent, but nothing worthy to remember a little ways down the road.

**1/2 out of ****