Carry-On Review: Generic, Goofy and Fantastic!

In Netflix’s newest action-thriller film, TSA officer Ethan Kopek gets a shocking offer when a mysterious traveller blackmails him to let a dangerous package slip through customs on a Christmas Eve flight.

The film has a runtime of 120 minutes.

Carry-On Review

Carry-On is a fun and engaging joyride through Christmas madness in the airport if it was dialed to the max. TSA agent Ethan gets the shock of a lifetime when he ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time and gets blackmailed to participated in some illegality that can end in people dying… or just his pregnant girlfriend. Faced with an impossible choice, Ethan must do whatever it takes and make the right call and the movie gives a frightening reality check to him over and over again.

This action-thriller film has everything that is needed to deliver forgettable entertainment to its audience – with a cliched plot and stylish shots along with good performances from its actors, there’s not much that can go wrong here if your expectations are kept controlled. It’s interesting to watch this film with low expectations; it can genuinely surprise you with its twists and turns that aren’t impressive but still extremely entertaining through and through.

By the time the film reaches the midpoint, the action-thriller goes over the rails, introducing insanely goofy stuff to keep us thoroughly engaged and extremely entertained. It goes from 0 to a 100 very fast and honestly, I was right there for the ride. Yes, it’s a little improbable and quite silly but the film knows exactly how to hold on to audience’s attention and in spite of things just randomly happening left and ride, one can’t help but wait and watch what the film comes up with next.

The thing with this thriller is that it does a phenomenal job of holding on to everything that makes this genre great and going ham with it. It’s insanity but it’s so great that it doesn’t seem too fantastical. It also helps that Ethan is badass protagonist who mostly makes all the right and smart decisions, making you not want to pull your hair out in anger. It’s interesting how a generic action film can feel smart and thrilling when the characters behave like rational people and this film is the prime example of that.

Taron Egerton is fantastic as Ethan. He’s emotional but headastrong and makes you want to relate to him every step of the way. The movie shows him in the best light possible, desperate to do the right thing but not always having the option to do it. Thankfully he never gives up, which is interesting, considering what his character is told to be. Bateman, on the other hand, is terrifying but not in the way you’d imagine. He’s a normal guy wearing a black hoodie but there is a mystery there that one cannot ignore at any point. Together, they do this perfect that is deliciously unhinged to watch.

Final Thoughts

Carry-On is goofy but absolutely arresting. Thanks to fantastic performances and a protagonist who is not brain dead and makes rational decisions, the film will keep you on the edge. Despite some hiccups, this one’s gonna be the perfect Christmas watch – ready to leave you breathless at any moment!

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