There's something about the majority of Netflix original films I've seen that I can't quite put my finger on. No matter the budget or the star studded cast, they can't help but escape the feeling of a made for TV movie. They're perfectly passable as part of the $19.99 all you can eat buffet but if you paid for it as an individually priced entree, you'd be looking for a refund. Carry-On fully embodies this metaphor.
Without spoiling the film, the basic premise is that a TSA agent is coaxed, by threat of harm to his pregnant girlfriend, to aide in a plot to smuggle a bag with unknown contents through the TSA baggage check.
Considering the premise, you'd expect a fast paced thriller that quickly dumps you into the action. Instead, the film spends an unreasonable amount of time setting up the backstory for the main character, played by Taron Egerton. Once the backstory is established and the main thrust of the plot begins the story still drags on as the villain, played by Jason Bateman, establishes his dominance of skill, preparation and intelligence over the main character. Only about 50 minutes into the film do things begin to pick up. From there you're on a mostly linear thrill ride that doesn't bore but at the same time doesn't excel in any meaningful way.
As a rule, I love anything with Jason Bateman in it. There's something about his comedic delivery and timing that just fits with every role I see him in. I was intrigued to see him play a villain and to see that comedic timing work in a villainous capacity. But aside from a couple of great moments, Bateman's charm has been largely stripped away, leaving in its place a fairly run of the mill villain.
As part of the Netflix bonanza, the movie is passable. It's PG-13 so that gives it a boost as a family movie night option. I can think of worse ways to kill 2 hours but there's no need to rush to see this one.
