This flick is a remake of the 2008 Icelandic movie Reykjavik-Rotterdam and is also directed by Icelandic artist Baltasar Kormakur. Without being a spoiler, all I'm going to say is that the entire movie is about smuggling - drugs, currency and even a Jackson Pollock painting. The rest of the story really doesn't matter and, of course, as always, you can't trust anybody in gangster movies.
I'm a huge fan of Wahlberg's, so needless to say, there's plenty of him larger than life in this one. But what I like about the movie is the sexually-charged music and cinematography. The film score written by Vancouverite Clinton Shorter (famous for his music in District 9) is simply outstanding. The soundtrack is just a grabber throughout the movie - particularly with Crawling King Smoke John Lee Hooker, the king of blues! Then there's the city of New Orleans and Panama City where all the crimes are taking place. You wouldn't even recognize that it's New Orleans if you don't read the reviews. And I just learned that parts of the port of New Orleans are disguised as Panama City as well. If you like ports, ships and containers, you will marvel at the beauty of the vessels and cargo in this movie.
The supporting cast is all good except for Kate Beckinsale - when was the last time we saw her in an intelligent role? So the good guy continues to be even better; and the bad and slimy ones are all creepy villains - Ben Foster as Sebastian; Giovanni Ribisi as Tim; Caleb Landry Jones as the useless brother-in-law; and JK Simmons as Captain Camp, the ultimate comic relief in the film. Even Mark Wahlberg's older brother Robert has a very minor, but impressive, role.
But I think it's time for Wahlberg to come out of his comfort zone - the constant productions of The Italian Job kind of movies are just not innovative. As his fans, we all understand that the Marky-Mark-turned-Hollywood success story needs to be told, but he's done that enough already. Let's move on! He can do much better!
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