A “retired” smuggler, Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg), is trying to rebuild is life as a legit man with his wife and kids.  His brother-in-law, despite Chris’ warnings, continues his smuggling ways and gets in big trouble with a mobster, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), for throwing out a drug stash during a customs raid.  Now the brother-in-law is in deep with this mobster and Chris has to come to bail him out with one last smuggle.

            The trailer made this one look like it, at the very least, would be entertaining.  Twice throughout the movie I checked how much longer until those glorious credits.  The second time I checked, I thought it was almost over only to find out there was a half hour left; this is never a good sign.  Wahlberg plays the same character he plays every other movie.  Kate Beckinsale, who plays his wife, could have been played by anyone seeing as how her only good role was Seline in the first Underworld.  They could have saved some money and worked on a better script by going with another actress that could have saved them money.  Ben Foster’s talents are squandered in this; and oddly enough, it is Giovanni Ribisi who is even somewhat entertaining, though I would guess most people would find him annoying in this film. 

            I realize that these stories need set ups to get to the next action sequence or will they/won’t they make it scenario, but this movie made everything WAY too simple.  Mobster wants money in two weeks; thankfully they can get a scheme together in a few days.  Scheme goes wrong and money disappears before trade…no problem, Panama gangsters were just on their way out to rob somebody before the crew stopped by, so help them out and we can trade.  It had a few of these instances and while the action was decent, as was the tension level, it was just way too convenient.  Another plot point that bugged me was that Wahlberg’s character is trying to start a security business, but didn’t even bother to roll up his work vehicles window or set car alarm in a bad neighborhood.  That is a small nitpick but it bothered me nonetheless.

            Once again, we are given a movie where we are to root for the criminal because he is more likable than the other criminals.  Don’t get me wrong, I have liked movies with that premise before, but this one just didn’t do it because of the lazy storytelling and boring story to begin with.  I also called the “twist” for the movie thirty minutes in, I’m sure others will be able to beat that time, again, lazy storytelling.

1 star out of 4