"The Contract"

Morgan Freeman
John Cusack
Jamie Anderson
Alice Krige
Megan Dodds
Bill Smitrovich
Ned Bellamy




R           96min           2006


While on a hiking trip to reconnect with his son, Ray Keene (John Cusack) stumbles into a nightmare scenario of paid assassins and ex-military guns-for-hire. Frank Cardin (Morgan Freeman) is attempting to fulfill a contract to assassinate a high profile businessman when things go awry and he ends up he ends up in the custody of the U.S. Marshals. After an ill-fated attempt by his compatriots to free him Frank, finds himself in the custody of ex-lawman Ray and his son (Jamie Anderson). As they try to make their way back to civilization Franks’ friends who are intent on freeing their leader in order to collect on the contract relentlessly pursue them. But one may be move foe than friend. – from the back cover

"The Contract" is a bland action adventure masquerading as a character drama. Showcasing some of Hollywood’s veteran character actors trying to be action stars. The story was very predictable and yet still unbelievable. Only if you are a fan of Morgan Freeman or John Cusack would I recommend this film to others.

Morgan Freeman and John Cusack show their acting skills but the plot of the film does lend itself to their strengths. Freeman is supposed to be a bad ass black ops agent that could kick the average man ass. Cusack is supposed to be a former cop turned gym teacher. Both miscast in their respective parts.

The story is truly predictable. You know that the lowly John McClain wanna be is going to save the day. The guy is supposed to be able to take on former special ops soldiers turned black op killers in open terrain no less. I could never truly believe the luck Keene faced during "The Contract".

There is just one featurette on the behind of the scene and many movie trailers. The following trailers are on the DVD: “10 Items or Less”, “Journey to the End of the Night”, “The Propositiion”, “Relative Strangers”, “The Dead Girl”, “The Breed”, and “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”.

I give it 2/5 Gs.