“The comeback of 90s action movie”

Dir: Jaume Collet-Serra
Prod: Dylan Clark, Jaume Collet-Serra, Steven Spielberg
Writ: T.J. Fixman, Michael Green
Cast: Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Jason Bateman, Dean Norris, Theo Rossi, Danielle Deadwyler, Logan Marshall-Green

2024 is shaping up to be a strange year for movies, very much reminiscent of 2016, as there are a handful of films that are good to great, alongside some that are just really, really bad. This year, it’s notable that we have two films in the same year that serve as throwbacks to 90s action movies: Trap and Carry-On. Today, I’m reviewing Carry-On, because this movie is insanely awesome and full of nostalgic charm.

The story is simple: a young TSA agent, played by Taron Egerton, must save his girlfriend and everyone at the airport and on a plane before a terrorist, played by Jason Bateman, can deploy a nerve gas called Novichok and blame it on the Russians. Carry-On is one of the most surprising real-time thrillers I’ve seen. From the trailer, it seemed like something generic and stupid, but once you watch it, you realize it’s a suspenseful action thriller in the vein of Die Hard 2, Eagle Eye, Nick of Time, Phone Booth, Enemy of the State, and Red Eye. It’s claustrophobic, with the stakes always feeling high, even though the story takes place entirely in an airport.

Jaume Collet-Serra, who’s no stranger to movies like this, has already made action thrillers with Liam Neeson, such as Non-Stop (set on an airplane) and The Commuter (set on a commuter train). So, you can see the similarities, but what sets Carry-On apart is its structure.

The first and second acts play very much like Phone Booth, Enemy of the State, and Red Eye, building up suspense, while the third act shifts into full-blown action, akin to Die Hard 2, Eagle Eye, and Nick of Time. This is the kind of movie we’ve been asking for. Yes, my one criticism is a poorly executed CGI car chase that feels out of place, almost like it belongs in a different film. Taron Egerton does well as the young TSA agent, though his American accent is a bit shaky. You can tell he struggles with it at times, but he still makes a solid action hero.

Jason Bateman, as the villain, is a revelation. I have to admit, I’ve always seen him as a comedic actor, but in this movie, he proves that he can play a menacing and intense role. He may not be a Hans Gruber, but he’s definitely an imposing villain, and this is how you create a memorable antagonist. My only issues are the CGI car chase and a few scenes that feel drawn out.

I think this is a great film to watch, though it’s a shame it wasn’t released in theaters. It’s a missed opportunity, especially given Spielberg’s studio Dreamworks Pictures deal with Netflix. For me, this is the kind of movie we’ve been raving about — one with a real backdrop, mostly practical effects, a simple story, and just a fun time. It’s the type of movie I’ve missed since 2015, and it proves that not every movie needs to be three hours long with a deep message. For those of us who love real-time action thrillers, this is the movie I think studios should take a chance on. The story may not be the most original, but at least it’s not based on an any existing IP. Netflix, please keep making movies like this, and Hollywood studios, take some risks! Not every film needs to be a massive box office hit. Trap proved that movies like this can still succeed. If Carry-On had been released in theaters, it could’ve made a decent profit, especially if it had been released around early December. While it may not become a classic like Die Hard or Die Hard 2, it’s still a fantastic Christmas action movie and a memorable one.

My Rating: A-