As I sat down to watch “Carry-On,” I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of camaraderie with our protagonist, Ethan Kopek. You see, much like him, I too once harbored dreams of donning a badge and joining the ranks of law enforcement. Alas, life had other plans, and here I am, penning reviews for an online publication.
As a die-hard movie buff, I’ve always admired the everyday heroes portrayed by Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis in the ’80s flicks. I, Ethan Kopek, harbored a similar dream – to become a cop. Life, however, had other plans. Now, instead of patrolling the streets or saving the day, I’m stationed at airport security – not even the glamorous role of scanning passengers’ luggage for potential threats. For the past three years, I’ve been trapped in the depths of LAX, performing tasks unknown, longing for a promotion that seems as elusive as a shooting star.
In the Netflix movie “Carry-On,” set on Christmas Eve, the peak travel season, Ethan (played by Taron Egerton) decides to take a risk, pleading with his boss (Dean Morris, who’s not exactly cheerful) for a chance. His supervisor, in a rare moment of kindness, grants it, but this isn’t turning out to be the best day for Ethan. Just minutes into operating the CT scanner, he finds himself thrust into a situation reminiscent of a less action-packed “Die Hard” clone: Someone is attempting to sneak a case filled with Novichok nerve agent onto a busy passenger plane, and they’ve chosen Ethan as their vulnerable pawn to help them bypass security.
Occasionally, a movie comes along that boasts a unique and innovative concept, leaving you in awe of its creative mind. However, “Carry-On” is not one of those films. On the contrary, T.J. Fixman (a writer from the “Ratchet & Clank” video game series, making his debut outside this franchise) and director Jaume Collet-Serra (who has previously worked on Liam Neeson thrillers like “Unknown” and “Non-Stop”) take off with a plot so ordinary it might have crossed your mind while going through airport security: What if a terrorist managed to outwit the security system?
The film’s plot revolves around a group of wicked individuals, with Jason Bateman portraying a merciless killer, coercing Ethan into obeying their orders through intimidation and harassment. The tension begins when Ethan inserts a seemingly misplaced earpiece, allowing him to receive commands from Bateman. Normally, it would be simpler to manipulate one of the numerous airport staff members who frequently use less secure entrances. However, the intrigue lies in persuading an ardent agent to disregard his responsibilities, granting the antagonists unprecedented control over Los Angeles International Airport’s surveillance cameras, reminiscent of the access seen in “Mission: Impossible” films.
In a script with as many gaps as an almost empty airport has passengers, Fixman’s storyline relies heavily on one idea: that Ethan is so devoted to his pregnant girlfriend, Sofia Carson (Nora Parisi), that he’d jeopardize his job and everyone at LAX to keep her safe. Although I won’t give away the twist, the movie eventually unveils that yet another character is being manipulated by the terrorists – this individual is in their grip because the villains have taken their spouse captive. Screenwriters often employ this plot device (similar to when Jack Bauer’s daughter was kidnapped in “24” and he was instructed to kill the president), as it transforms ordinary people into heroes, leaving viewers questioning: What actions would you take if you were in their predicament?
In the film “Carry-On,” Ethan is presented with a dual role: he’s an ordinary man presented with the chance to be a hero, and simultaneously an ordinary man forced to put everyone at LAX in danger. This creates a tense struggle within him, which is vividly portrayed through close-ups of Egerton’s tightly clenched jaw, giving the impression of an octagon when viewed from a certain angle. In this movie, Egerton is captured in that bright, high-definition style often used for streaming where every pore is visible to the naked eye. As seen in “Kingsman,” Egerton proves to be an attractive action star, and this film provides numerous chances for him to run like Tom Cruise across the airport.
For Spanish filmmaker Collet-Serra, this venture offers a stylish, somewhat grounded reboot following the grandeur of “Black Adam”, yet retaining exhilarating action scenes – none more breathtaking than the uninterrupted freeway chase where FBI agent Elena Cole (Danielle Deadwyler) struggles to escape from a speeding car. As Elena and the driver struggle for control over a gun, the vehicle crashes into barriers on both sides at 70 miles per hour.
While Collet-Serra delivers innovative action scenes throughout, the project truly shines when viewers focus on the central characters. As it’s a Netflix production, you’re free to vocalize your advice whenever Ethan appears hesitant in making the correct choice. From the start, Bateman’s character eliminates one of Ethan’s team members, emphasizing that there are always repercussions when he disobeys rules.
Despite being an unconventional pick for the role, Bateman stands out as the movie’s standout performer, adding a surprising charm to his portrayal of the nameless psychopath who speaks into Ethan’s ear. Unlike Kiefer Sutherland’s character in “Phone Booth,” whose demeanor was harsh and controlling, Bateman’s character exudes an air of firmness yet friendliness, making it plausible that he could quickly establish a connection with the person he’s manipulating remotely. While Ethan tries to distract and delay the villain in order to identify and ultimately outsmart him, Bateman’s character seems capable of instantly forging a rapport with his target.
Enjoying “Carry-On” on Netflix might offer you an unexpected joy due to its absurdity. This absurdity is accentuated by lengthy sequences without dialogue, which are filled with Lorne Balfe’s generic music, making it seem like a TV production. This allows for plenty of chances to provide witty remarks from the comfort of your family couch. If you’re traveling this Christmas, remember to show compassion towards TSA agents. And if you’re staying home, find solace as “Carry-On” will give you quite the rollercoaster ride.
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2024-12-13 05:16