Carry-On 2024 Movie Review
Carry-on is a solid action thriller with an old-school vibe. While there’s no recent movie exactly like it, many people compare it to the first two Die Hard films. I’d also add Lethal Weapon to the mix. The similarity isn’t in the storyline but in the concept: a criminal event or terrorist plot set around Christmas, and a hero who endures pain and bruises to stop it.
Taron Egerton delivers a great performance as Ethan, a young TSA officer whose dream of becoming a police officer didn’t pan out. Instead, he works in airport security, checking passengers and luggage. With a baby on the way and financial pressure mounting, Ethan asks for a promotion. He’s given a chance to prove himself by operating the luggage X-ray machine. This sets off a chain of events where Ethan is blackmailed into letting a passenger carry suspicious luggage onto a plane. But when Ethan sees what’s inside the bag, he tries to stop the passenger, kicking off the film’s main action.
The movie has a lot going for it. It sticks to an old-school action formula with suspense, desperate attempts to save the day, false hope, tense exchanges between the hero and the villain, and explosive action scenes filled with fistfights, chases, and escapes. It’s packed with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged, and despite the two-hour runtime, there’s hardly a dull moment.
That said, the film has its flaws. There are plenty of logical gaps in the story, and in keeping with the old-school style, some characters make shockingly dumb decisions when they’re being chased or threatened. At times, the plot stretches believability to its limit. More than once, I found myself thinking, “Why would they do that?” or “How could that even happen?” Of course, it’s fiction and meant for entertainment, so it’s best not to overthink it, but these moments can still take you out of the experience.
Overall, I enjoyed Carry-on and would recommend it to anyone who loves action thrillers from the ’80s and ’90s. It was a pleasant surprise, and I’m glad movies like this are still being made.
