Traffik (2018)

Awful writing. acting is laughable at times. terrible script. I liked Deja Vu and Ghost Protocol and thought Paula Patton was alright in both. Now? I don't think she's a good actress. so, maybe the size of the role and the writing impacted my perception before. in this she overacts; too many quick facial expressions and lines are rushed. she can't even pretend to type convincingly. all of the blame isn't on her bc the script is just so bad. sometimes you can get through a movie and feel "alright, this and that wouldn't have happened, but the rest of it was alright." this movie you're saying there's no way even an idiot would do that throughout the film. one of the worst films I've seen in a while. not a spoiler, but just as an example of how lazy the script was, if an officer is shot, and another calls it in, you don't just say you need backup.. you need a bus, an ambulance/emt.. If they asked me to fix this film it'd be easier just to turn it into a comedy. also, not sure if this review will stay up or not but the rating manipulation on here is pretty obvious. And, sorry for any grammar mistakes, and the short review, I'm on my tablet and auto correct can be rather bizarre. I don't usually write reviews but I felt I had to for this.

It all could have been better period. Misuse of great actors and actress in my opinion.

The girl is so stupid you want her to die.... I think I saw until the end expecting to see her being killed...

In the special features track of the DVD of "Traffik," writer-director Deon Taylor explained how, as a resident of Sacramento, he felt compelled to make a film about human trafficking when he learned that the Sacramento was #5 in the nation in that horrific criminal activity.Taylor went on to describe how in the second draft of the screenplay, he chose to draw the protagonist, an investigative journalist, deeper into the world of human trafficking when she becomes a victim. It turned out that the decision to focus on the horror of being abducted and forced into bondage was made all the more powerful when the journalist Brea has the experience first-hand.A shortcoming of the film was the by-the-numbers action plot and a somewhat predictable ending. The most memorable relationship was that of Brea and a hard-working auto mechanic with whom she has fallen in love. The main action unfolds when the couple escapes to the mountains where the mechanic plans to propose to Brea. Of course, their plans go awry when they stop at gas station and encounter the nefarious creatures engaged in a human trafficking ring.The performances were top notch, and the cinematography was outstanding, with especially creative locations selected. The beautiful terrain was a stark contrast to the revolting subject matter. At one point in the film, one of the mid-level operatives of the human trafficking ring opines, "everything is trafficked!" which is a sad commentary on our world even if the statement has only an iota of truth.