Traffic

This three-night mini-series, which is derivative of the Steven Soderbergh movie Traffic, which in turn was adapted from a British mini-series Traffik, is entertaining, although it left a lot of loose ends fluttering in the wind, unless there is a Part II in production. While not a remake, the mini-series does use the same multi-character multi-plot structure as the Oscar winning film, but it lacks the star wattage of the theatrical movie. However, the less familiar faces actually work for the film and add to its gritty realistic quality. Also, while the theatrical film focused on drugs and Mexico, the mini-series is focused on drugs, illegals, terrorism, and Afghanistan. The first part sets up a series of seemingly unconnected story lines that grab the interest and carry the viewer into part two. The core of the plot emerges in part two and carries the multiple stories to resolution in part three, although several characters and their plot-lines seemed to fade away or drift off without a clear idea of their fates. Time should not have been a problem since there appeared to be some padding here and there as scenes were repeated unnecessarily to remind the viewer of what they had already seen. Tighter editing would have provided some additional running time to wrap up the plot and provide a more satisfying conclusion without cutting into advertising revenues. But, basically, Traffic: the Mini-Series is a good entertaining film, with some nice vistas of Canada standing in for Afghanistan, and some decent performances, although ultimately it will not result in a parade to the podium at the Emmys.

"Traffic" is a 4 hour TV miniseries which begins as an exposé of international narcotrafficking with stories developed on both the supply side (Afghanistan) and the demand side (Seattle). As the film spins its web of intrigues which include a DEA agent on a smuggling mission in Afghanistan, human trafficking, and even a possible terrorist attack on the US it develops side plots involving the DEA agent's family, the Seattle DEA office ops, an immigrant in search of family, corrupt traffickers at both ends of the smuggling corridor, and more. The result is a convoluted drama which continually cycles through it's many stories providing convenient mini flashbacks as audience reminders as it pulls it's separate parts together to show their interconnectedness and provide a sort of global overview of the problem of contraband smuggling and its effects on people. Overall the miniseries is well directed with good performances by a nominal cast, good production value, and a post 9/11 story with a terrorism angle. However, it is somewhat scattered, lacking cogency, fraught with loose ends and plot holes, and occasionally tests believability. Realists interested in narcotrafficking should check out "Traffik (1998)" first. (B)

I own and have watched the Euro (not the HBO) mini-series numerous times. I originally saw Traffic (the Movie) at the theater when it was released. I own that video as well and have also watched it numerous times. I would give the mini-series a 7.5/10. Even for the time, some of the dialog is cheesy and some of the characters actions are less then believable. Both films require serious suspension of disbelief to swallow the ignorance of the main drug trafficker's (German/La Jolla) wife. Anybody with that kind of dough would have set up legitimate, working businesses to launder money and to create layers of cover. What bother me most is that somebody can come along and give the film a 1 star rating because it didn't have a "message". That puts this film in the category of the worst pix of all time and draws down user rating unfairly. That is a pet peeve of mine and made me register here just to defend this film. Maybe IMDb adjusts for this in there stats. I don't know. But I judge a movie based on how it holds up after repeated viewings. And, even knowing the story through and through, I get drawn in by the first scene and Del Toro's on-screen presence. From the on it's like sliding into an easy chair... If you haven't seen either version then I envy you. Don't pass up this or the original mini-series. They are both worth your time.

Traffic looks at the issue of smuggling in drugs, people and of course weapons of mass destruction. It ties the issues in distant lands, the war terrorism to things such as your children and your home.

Unfortunately it does it with that sort of 1980s cop show drama feel, though taking itself far more seriously. What is more, the simplistic anti-drug and anti-terrorism messages are not that interesting.

All in all, it is an OK series, it is well made. The plot may be cheap, but the plot twists are enough to keep it going.

What is more, the acting is superb and the realism of characters lifts this out of morass.

PLEASE!!! Is it not possible to make a show anymore that does NOT have the "amateur" camera movement. In my heart, I KNOW the anti-jiggle technology built into cameras now would enable a 5 year old to shoot steady shots.

They probably offer "Jiggly Camera 101" in film school now.

And why, please why, do we need 7-10 different camera shots of someone's face in rapid succession for a scene in which 1 or 2 would do nicely? Editor/splicers need the work, I guess.

I did not care for the movie, so I expected just about what I got from the mini series. Very little.

Glad they are repeating Dennis Miller's new show, which is running against this. Wifey wanted Traffic. She pays the bill, so guess what we watched.