The question of whether a film is a Christmas film is constantly brought up around this time of year. Think Die Hard, Eyes Wide Shut, or Iron Man 3, there are plenty of atypical Christmas films and the blandly named Carry-On, which stands as the most-watched film on Netflix during its week of release is another to add to the list. A film whose elevator pitch can probably best be described as Die Hard at Airport Security. Hence, the title, as Jason Bateman’s unnamed Traveller tries to bulldoze a bomb through Taron Edgerton’s Kopek’s line as a newbie trying to prove he deserves a promotion.
Adding to the somewhat forced Christmas spirit is an opening scene of a plane landing to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson 5. Although there are other reminders that passengers passing through the airport will be stressed on what is Christmas Eve, trying to get to their destination for Christmas Day. On this day of all days, Taron Egerton’s failing Ethan Kopek is given the opportunity to prove himself, placed on a baggage scanning lane, when he receives an earpiece telling him to let through a bomb or Nora will be killed. What follows is a set of difficult tasks where Ethan has to try and stop the bomb, which will kill 250 people, whilst protecting his pregnant wife before their last Christmas on their own.
Whilst Carry-On doesn’t have much pazzazz in style or visual intrigue, what it does have is an engrossing pace that keeps you hooked to the narrative for just under two hours. The film has just enough tension to keep you hooked, while not doing much in the way of new ideas, it still has enough about it to invoke other one-location action flicks such as Die Hard in their enclosed and entrapped nature.
Carry-On is a great film for when you don’t want to get particularly involved in plot contrivances or character details, apart from the obvious detail, it is the perfect plane movie, something you can switch on for a few hours without much involvement, but will keep your engagement. That being said, it goes missing in the details. There is little to care about with Taron Egerton’s curmudgeon character with a wonky American accent and without the quippy action-hero nature of a John McClane. Meanwhile, the opening scene conceals the image of Jason Bateman’s villain, only showing his hat, as if waiting for a big reveal, when his look is shown in the poster when you click to watch the film on Netflix. These silly little details take away from what can be a fun film, but it is missing the little additions to make the film truly stand out.
Carry-On is like Ryan Air, it's cheap, it will get you from A to B, but are the seats comfortable – no, will you be able to choose your seat – no, will you get anything on the house – no. In the same way, Carry-On gives you an intriguing action flick to watch but, it is ultimately a forgettable one with bland characters, a bland aesthetic, and a tacked-on Christmas setting that keeps poking at you to remind you – oh yeah, you should care more because it’s the big day tomorrow.
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