Traffic (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: a lot better second time round
Disadvantages: may need to watch it twice

This film won a lot of awards when it was released, 4 Oscars and 5 Golden Globe Awards, and was also in receipt of much critical acclaim. The first time that I saw this film I was disappointed and certainly did not feel that it deserved the praise that it received. However, having recently watched it for a second time I have changed my opinion somewhat. The film deals with the drug problem in the United States, however where it differs from other ... Read review

Advantages: read review
Disadvantages: read review

TRAFFIC (US 2000) directed & cinematographed by Steven Soderbergh written by Stephen Gaghan based on the miniseries “Traffik” by Simon Moore produced by Laura Brickford Marshall Herskovitz & Edward Zwick composed by Cliff Martinez edited by Stephen Mirrione starring Benicio Del Toro Jacob Vargas Michael Douglas Thomas Milian Luis Guzmán Don Cheadle Catherine Zeta-Jones Miguel Ferrer Steven Bauer Amy Irving Erika Christensen Albert ... Read review

Advantages: The acting is very impressive/ editing is brilliant/ good use of colours
Disadvantages: Drags on a bit/ not as original I some would have you believe

--------Introduction-------- The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight/ Erin Brockenvich) and contains many high profile actors. This was a film nominated for some 8 Oscars and eventually winning 4 including 'Best Director' for Soderbergh. It is a film largely based on a mini series 'Traffik' which was on Channel 4 over 10 years ago. More information on this is contained on the 'Extra Features' of this DVD. We will be reviewing the ... Read review

Advantages: Acting, direction
Disadvantages: Spoilt brats, Zeta-Jones

Illegal drugs, from cannabis to heroin, are big business across the world. There is no shortage of demand, there is no shortage of money to be made from dealing and consequently there is a war going on between law enforcement officers (how American) and drug dealers and users. This is of course only one perspective and this film does a fairly good job of challenging that explanation. The film is told through a variety of different characters (over ... Read review

Advantages: Thought provoking and originally styled.
Disadvantages: Disturbing and may feel a little to slow for some.

...attracted to going to see Traffic after being impressed by Steve Soderbergh's other films. Most notably 'Sex Lies and Videotape' and 'Erin Brockovich'. Once again he has proved his versatility as a director. The film: The film tells the story of a newly commissioned Drugs ambassador whose mission is to rid America of the drug problem. The film does not try to hide the fact that this is a near impossible task and makes for rather depressing ... Read review

Advantages: Some of the best character acting seen in years, particularly in the smaller parts.
Disadvantages: Dull, slow, annoying, over-long, too complicated, no real ending, over-the-top direction....the list is almost endless

...and the US. The problems with Traffic are many, and I'll try and list them. Firstly, the 3 storylines. While fine for the longer time-scale of a mini-series, trying to fit in 3 stories into 1 film is a non-starter. Each thread could have made a good film on its own, but lobbing the 3 together just doesn't work. It shows quite prominently that this film was adapted from a mini-series, and you feel that perhaps a remake of the mini-series AS a mini-series, ... Read review

Advantages: Well Acted interesting topic
Disadvantages: Slow paced

This film will not suit everyone, of that I am quite sure. It is a film that sends out a strong message, that the war against Drug Trafficking can never be won. That fact alone left me thinking about the whole issue of Drug legalisation and whether that would make any difference to the situation. The film stars Michael Douglas and Katherine Zeta Jones. Another surprise - if you think you are going to see some on screen chemistry between them, wrong, ... Read review

Advantages: Thought provoking story, great performances
Disadvantages: None

The movie “Traffic” is based on a mini series (“Traffik”) which appeared on Channel 4 in the late 80’s. It’s a film about drugs, if you want to sum it up in one word. It’s about pretty well everything you can think of to do with drugs – taking them, for pleasure, as part of an addiction… smuggling them, coming off them, policing them… The acting is very good throughout. None of the actors is allowed to be seen as the ‘star’ – and when you ... Read review

Advantages: Good acting, good cast
Disadvantages: Incomprehensible plot, too many "nameless" characters, annoying filming

Hmmm...I was looking the other day and realised I'd written lots of positive reviews lately, although I suppose positive things stick in my mind better. I haven't really slated anything since Charlie's Angels, and was wandering if I would again. Then we went to the video shop and got Traffic. Right...Traffic. On the box it says its one of the best movies ever (mind you, most movies do) and all I remember hearing about it when it came out was great ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic acting, original incite into the drug trafficking world.
Disadvantages: Not that entertaining. Catherine Zeta Jones looking awful and unconvinving.

...and a half hours long, Traffic does not drag at all, such is the compelling nature of the acting and the direction. Overall 6/10 ... Read review

Advantages: An intelligent and original film that incorporates three intriguing storylines.
Disadvantages: It won't appeal to all.

...impressive resume indeed and with Traffic he has enhanced it still further. The film consists of three loosely connected stories that cover differing aspects of the drug trade in America. Ambitious though it is Soderbergh’s direction keeps the film moving along at a pace that seems to defy the long two and half-hour running time. The exceptional cast all turn in good performances in a film that contains over 100 speaking roles. The first ... Read review

Advantages: Strong cast, especialy Don Cheadle
Disadvantages: Ending

Can a film about drugs and it's affects ever be done well? In other words be realistic and have commercial success. Unlikely. But Steven Soderbergh has made an arresting film that will keep most hooked until the end. The film, in the genre of so many films lately, has several loosely related subplots all concerned with drug trafficking in one way or another: The drug csar who has yet to discover his daughter is on drugs, the cops who have to keep ... Read review