Carry-On (2024)

Carry-On (2024)

 

6/10

Starring          

Taron Egerton

Sofia Carson

Danielle Deadwyler

Jason Bateman

 

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra

 

This movie is not bad. I get the feeling that Netflix is trying to create for their subscribers their own Die Hard movie. Acting-wise, this movie delivers. Taron Egerton as Ethan is amazing in creating the sense of urgency the movie needed, keeping you attentive all the way. Jason Bateman as the antagonist had the scare tactic needed when the bad guy is calm and collected and does not seem to care about anything or anyone.

Now, that said, both Ethan (Egerton) and the Traveler (Bateman) are no Bruce Willis (playing John McClane) or Alan Rickman (who played Hans Gruber), in Die Hard (1988). Although the movie is ok, I do not have the urge to rewatch this movie every Christmas like I do Die Hard, but it is a ok film altogether.

Here is the plot: The Traveler has purchased a chemical called Novichok and intends to deploy it on a plane. The problem is, how is he going to get it onto the plane? Somehow, although not explicitly stated (and I’m guessing here), the bad guys got hold of the TSA agents' list of those who will be there to inspect carry-ons and their contents. They plan to blackmail the agent to let the carry-on pass-through security and onto the plane.

They had someone give the TSA agent a misplaced earpiece, which he puts in his ear, and he is then instructed to let the carry-on pass or someone he loves will be killed.

Ethan tried everything he could to reach out for help, but the bad guys had cameras on him, so all his movements were tracked.

The police arrived at a burnt building, where they suspect that someone took the Novichok from there, and they want to trace it. How they linked the burnt building to Ethan’s attempted phone call to 911 is another example of movie magic, which only the writers understand.

The movie is about how Ethan wants to stop these guys, protect the ones he loves, and save the people on the plane the carry-on is on. The things that play against this movie will require you to suspend your reasoning. Good movies tend to draw you in, making you forget you are watching a movie, and immerse you in the lies shown on screen. This movie does not have that immersive quality to make you suspend your senses. While watching, you can notice plot holes that highlight how the bad guys’ plan would fail under normal circumstances. For example, giving a TSA agent a device, like in this movie a lost earpiece, won’t play out as the movie shows. Why Ethan thought it was a good idea to put it in his ear while at work is hard to believe. Airport security is high stakes, no TSA agent will think of doing that, he will hand it off to someone nearby, and not leave their post to attend to a call, even though there is someone else on the other end. The chances of someone successfully blackmailing you over the phone these days are slim, most people hang up rather than engage.

With all that said, I will say go see this movie. It is on Netflix, and it will suit a nice weekend.