Carry-On

Could we be slowly getting back to the good ol days of mid-90s action thriller's...? I really think we are getting close, it's just the quality isnt quite there just yet. To sustain the level of tension and suspenseful moments throughout takes time, patience and a really tightly paced script. This one has its moments...

As a Netflix produced Christmas time thriller, it was OK... Coming in at 2hrs it maybe overstays it welcome just a tad, however the simple plot, good actors, and one central location for the most part gives it some good points. This was actually a really good late adternoon viewing and you don't need to know anything plot wise going in, or even have seen the trailer or thumbnail on your Netflix homepage. Best to just hit play and let the story unfold as you get into the characters, and their motivations.

I don't think anything could ever top the original speed from 1994, however these types of genre films are very important to any movie fan, especially those who lived through the 90s...

Give this one a go...

This movie has a great premise, great actors, great characters. Unfortunately, the longer the movie goes on, the more frustrating it gets. The characters continue to make decisions that make ZERO sense. The plot also falls apart quickly everything is so quickly able to be solved if the characters used any common sense.

I figured it would be an mindless action thriller. It is an action thriller, but it's hard to be mindless with how obvious the characters are making bad decision after bad decision. Too many to be even remotely believable.

Again, all the actors did a great job with their characters, there are just so many obvious flaws in the story and plot that the movie became frustrating as it end on.

What makes movies for me are good lines and acting, of course. In the beginning part of the film, quite good lines and a good rapport between the Main couple Ethan and Nora. Baddie Jason Bateman's character was well played too. It was also quite eye-opening to see the inner workings of LAX terminal and the baggage areas.

The setting is perfect - LAX on Christmas Eve sprinkled with shades of Die Hard and Bruce Willis!

But then some very implausible things happen which means basically a lot of lazy script writing.

NOTE FOR FUTURE: When you have a gun on a mass terrorist, please shoot him the legs at least and not give them control!

What could have been...

Let's be real...does anyone expect a Netflix original to be anything special these days? Not every movie has to stun with its plot and characters, and Carry-On certainly doesn't do that. The crime in this movie is completely and totally unrealistic, but who really cares? I never got the impression that this movie took itself very seriously, especially when you consider Jason Bateman is playing a villain. I generally enjoy action packed thrillers, and the fight/conflict scenes in this movie deserve some more recognition. The fighting choreography was interesting 9especially since this takes place in an airport) and the main characters aren't making stupid decision after stupid decision. Was this a great movie? Absolutely not. But OK movies exist and can still be fun if you're looking for something new to watch.

It wasn't the absolute best movie I've ever seen, but it had some really good moments and solid acting. I enjoyed the movie and it left me wanting more.

I've seen comparisons to Diehard, and while this is no die hard, it is certainly a watchable movie.

The main character is likable and you get drawn into his story. While it is not a complex movie and is easy to follow, sometimes you just want escapism. I would like to see a follow up with the same main characters.

I think seeing the main character carrying out his duties as a police officer with the young family would make a really good movie.