George Parker "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)

Eric-1226 I really enjoyed the new made-for-TV miniseries "Traffic". It's important to note that this was roughly based on another miniseries called "Traffik" (spelled with a 'k'), made in 1989 by the BBC. I liked that one immensely, it is easily one of the best movies I've ever seen. But I would still rate this new effort as way above average.The story is compelling viewing, mainly because it hits so close to home - literally and figuratively. The movie is roughly organized around two main scenarios: one involves the illegal smuggling into the United States - by way of the commercial seaport of Seattle, Washington - of cargos of illegal immigrants; the other deals with a terrorist-organized shipment of smallpox, meant to wipe out huge masses of population in the U.S. In a post 9-11 world it's the kind of story that ought to make one sit up and take note.Both stories grab your attention: both are dark and tragic enough to really make you feel empathy towards all involved. I found myself really caring about the fates of each of the main characters, I anxiously awaited the following episodes, and was willing to tune in for three nights consecutively - something I don't often do with made-for-TV stuff nowadays.I couldn't help but note a few flaws, probably because I was subconsciously comparing this film with the aforementioned "Traffik", the BBC miniseries of 1989, which was generally a superior film. I felt this current miniseries got a bit too melodramatic and sensationalistic here and there, and it seemed that characters were doing things that seemed too contrived for reality. (Made-for-TV says it all!). Another distraction was the fact that the seaport in the story was purportedly supposed to be Seattle, Washington. Well, it turns out the whole thing was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Since I'm from Seattle and know what my city looks like, I had a good chuckle out of watching the film trying to pass off Vancouver as Seattle. But these flaws are minor and largely cosmetic compared to the real gist of the film, which is essentially the dark and seamy nature of the "trafficking" which the movie addresses: the smuggling of illegal immigrants is a reality, as is the threat of terrorists using shipping containers to smuggle in WMD's. (A couple of years ago here in Seattle, customs inspectors found a freight van on board a cargo ship that had about 15 dead Chinese illegals in it. Seems they didn't survive the trip across the Pacific. So the human smuggling that is depicted in the movie is a real issue and is based on actual events.)If you get a chance, watch this miniseries (hopefully it will be out on DVD or videocassette someday). I also heartily recommend that you find a copy of the aforementioned BBC miniseries "Traffik". Both films cover serious issues that, in this day and age - especially post 9-11 - are impossible to ignore.

smokehill retrievers I did enjoy most of the mini-series, though the overseas "DEA Cowboy" seQuences were just the usual Hollywood schlock, bearing no resemblance to overseas drug or other covert ops. I expect a bit of hokiness, but this was definitely in extremis and could have benefited from at least come consultant who had been there. At least then these characters could tell the difference between heroin and raw opium: the product they keep calling "heroin" in Afghanistan is obviously opium, which is indeed grown there but NEVER processed into heroin there.I'd probably have given this flick a good solid 8 as a pure action-adventure flick if it weren't for the abominable hack job obviously done to fit it into some magical six-hour block. Story arcs flew, and ended, at random, leaving bizarre loose ends all over the place. Obviously the junkie and the Tongs have some tie-in (as leverage for the DEA guy) that disappears entirely. And what really happens to "Ronnie?" Balthazar Getty obviously doesn't know, yet the Chechen basically kidnaps him, which will get him zilch, and then .....?? Ambiguity in endings is often fine, and this could have stood some, but this move just suddenly ended for no apparent reason. Obviously this was not for some artistic reason, it was just hacked to death by some idiot in one Hell of a hurry to make things fit. I think it's the most incompetent job of cutting I've ever seen anywhere, and it truly p***ed me off. This could have been a very good series if they'd given it the extra half hour it needed to sort out the subplots.

aaronwa-1 First, let me start off by saying that Traffic (the movie) w/Michael Douglas, Benecio del Toro, etc. is one of my favorite movies of all time. It truely captures the seedy underworld that IS drug trafficing.This mini-series is NOTHING like the movie. The plot is VERY weak, the character development is almost non-existant, and I'm left with no feelings whatsoever for any of the characters. I caught myself falling asleep at least a half-dozen times on the first night...not due to lack of action, but due to the fact that I just don't CARE about any of the characters and their situations.Secondly, the locations for parts of the story are supposed to take place in Seattle and 'Northwest Washington'. I *LIVE* in Seattle, and I can't for the life of me picture any of the areas depicted there as actually being in Washington State. The scene on the first night in the convienence store had an RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) ATM machine, and the lottery sign at the counter is consistent with the B.C. Lottery, not Washington State lottery. It is quite obvious to me that it was filmed in British Columbia, Canada. For goodness sake....if they're going to make a convincing story that takes place in a well-known urban area, they might as well film at least a few scenes there to convince the locals!!Do yourself a favor and rent the movie instead.