Snitch

Snitch stars Dwayne Johnson and from the cover, trailer, and typical filmography of Johnson, one may easily think that it's just another typical action movie.  But you couldn't be further from the truth.  That's not to say that it doesn't contain it's fair share of action.  It does, but it's very appropriate action to the story.  But more importantly, it's a crime drama about a father willing to put his life at risk by going undercover to save his son from an unfair drug sentence.  That rather unbelievable premise being my only critique, is quickly disseminated by the rest of the compelling story and performances.  A modest exploration and commentary into the world of drug smuggling and the current legal policy in the U.S., also lend it a certain authentic weight. That said, it's surprisingly good and Johnson gives an honest performance that calls on more than just good looks and muscles for a change.  So, if you prefer it's an "action" movie with substance and authenticity, not unlike Mark Walhberg's Contraband that harks back to this recent and refreshing trend of action movies driven by character and story while minimizing or eliminating special effects, cgi, and other Hollywood gimicks.  Further supplementing the solidity of Snitch, are excellent performances in the supporting cast that include Barry Pepper, Susan Sarandon, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Kenneth Williams.