Movie Review: Carry-On

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Cast: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, and Danielle Brooks
Genre: Thriller

Carry-On is a gripping thriller that leverages its high-stakes narrative and strong performances to create an edge-of-your-seat experience. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, known for his mastery of tension-building in films like Non-Stop and The Shallows, the movie explores the limits of morality under duress while delivering a tightly constructed, fast-paced story.

電影評論：《Carry-On》

導演：豪梅·科勒特-塞拉 (Jaume Collet-Serra)
主演：塔倫·艾格頓 (Taron Egerton)、傑森·貝特曼 (Jason Bateman)、蘇菲亞·卡森 (Sofia Carson)、丹妮爾·布魯克斯 (Danielle Brooks)
類型：驚悚片

《Carry-On》是一部緊張刺激的驚悚片，憑藉其高壓的劇情和出色的演員表現，成功打造出一部讓人屏息以待的作品。本片由豪梅·科勒特-塞拉執導，他曾以《空中救援》(Non-Stop) 和《鯊灘》(The Shallows) 等片展現對緊張情節的駕馭能力。影片探討在壓力下人性的道德邊界，同時呈現出一個結構緊湊且節奏飛快的故事。

Plot Overview

The story begins during a bustling holiday season at a major airport. Ethan Koontz (Taron Egerton), a newly promoted TSA agent, finds his skills put to the ultimate test when he’s unwittingly dragged into a deadly game. A mysterious passenger (Jason Bateman) manipulates Ethan into bypassing security for a package, using threats against Ethan’s family as leverage.

As Ethan attempts to navigate the ethical dilemmas and escalating stakes, he uncovers a much larger conspiracy involving high-profile criminals, corrupt officials, and an impending terrorist attack. The plot unfolds in near real-time, heightening the urgency as Ethan races to prevent disaster while trying to protect his loved ones. The airport, with its labyrinthine structure and diverse passengers, becomes both a setting and a character, reflecting the chaos and pressure Ethan faces.

劇情概要

故事以假日高峰時期的繁忙機場為背景展開。塔倫·艾格頓飾演的新晉安檢員伊森·昆茲 (Ethan Koontz) 意外捲入一場致命的陰謀。一位神秘乘客（傑森·貝特曼 飾）威脅伊森，逼迫他協助走私一個危險包裹，並以伊森的家人安危作為籌碼。

隨著事態逐漸升級，伊森不僅要應對自身的道德掙扎，還發現了一場涉及高層犯罪、腐敗官員和即將發生的恐怖襲擊的大陰謀。故事幾乎以即時的節奏發展，讓伊森在阻止災難與保護家人之間展開激烈角逐。機場那錯綜複雜的結構和川流不息的人群，既是故事背景，也是緊張氛圍的營造利器，映襯出伊森面臨的混亂與壓力。

Performances

Taron Egerton: Egerton shines as Ethan Koontz, delivering a performance that is equal parts vulnerable and determined. His portrayal captures the internal struggle of an everyman thrust into extraordinary circumstances, balancing fear and resourcefulness with authenticity. Egerton’s nuanced acting grounds the film, making the audience empathize with his impossible choices.

Jason Bateman: As the enigmatic and chilling antagonist, Bateman showcases his ability to shift from likable to menacing in a heartbeat. His calm, calculating demeanor adds layers of tension, making him a memorable villain.

Sofia Carson: Playing Ethan’s supportive yet suspicious girlfriend, Carson brings emotional depth to the story. While her role is limited, her chemistry with Egerton adds a personal dimension that complements the high-stakes action.

Danielle Brooks: As Ethan’s mentor at the TSA, Brooks provides moments of levity and moral guidance, serving as a grounding force amidst the chaos. Her performance is both relatable and impactful, though her character could have been more prominently featured.

演員表現

塔倫·艾格頓：艾格頓在片中表現出色，成功詮釋了一位平凡人面對非凡情境時的脆弱與堅毅。他細膩的演技將角色的恐懼與機智呈現得真實可信，讓觀眾不禁為他的抉擇揪心。

傑森·貝特曼：作為片中神秘且令人不寒而慄的反派，貝特曼將角色的冷靜與算計展現得淋漓盡致。他由溫和親切到冷酷無情的轉變，為整部影片注入了層層緊張感，讓這個角色成為令人難忘的對手。

蘇菲亞·卡森：飾演伊森的女友，她雖然對情況有所懷疑，但始終支持著他。卡森為影片增添了情感深度，儘管角色戲份有限，但與艾格頓之間的化學反應為故事提供了溫暖和關聯性。

丹妮爾·布魯克斯：作為伊森的TSA導師，布魯克斯的角色既帶來了一些輕鬆幽默的時刻，也提供了關鍵的道德指引。她的表現真實又令人難忘，但角色篇幅略顯不足。

Direction and Writing

Jaume Collet-Serra expertly crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere, utilizing the confined and bustling environment of the airport to its fullest potential. The cinematography employs tight, kinetic shots to emphasize the tension, while wide-angle views of the airport’s sprawling terminals create a sense of scope and scale.

The screenplay blends suspense with character-driven storytelling, exploring themes of morality, trust, and survival. Ethan’s journey is as much about confronting his own fears and limitations as it is about stopping a catastrophe. While the plot occasionally leans on familiar thriller tropes, the film’s execution is sharp enough to keep it engaging.

導演與劇本

豪梅·科勒特-塞拉巧妙地營造出一種令人窒息的氛圍，將擁擠而繁忙的機場環境發揮到極致。他在攝影上使用緊湊而動感的鏡頭，強化緊張感，同時通過寬闊的場景展現機場的龐大規模和複雜性。

劇本融合了懸疑和角色驅動的敘事，探討了道德、信任與求生的主題。伊森的旅程既是對自身恐懼和局限的挑戰，也是一次挽救災難的使命。儘管故事有時依賴於熟悉的驚悚片套路，但流暢且犀利的執行方式足以讓人投入其中。

Strengths

High Stakes and Tension: The film excels at maintaining a breakneck pace and an ever-present sense of danger.

Strong Performances: Egerton and Bateman anchor the film with compelling, layered portrayals.

Atmospheric Setting: The airport environment is used creatively, adding to the film’s tension and unpredictability.

Themes of Morality: The ethical dilemmas faced by the protagonist add depth to the otherwise action-oriented plot.

優點

緊張刺激的情節：影片全程保持著令人屏息的高壓氛圍。

出色的演員表現：艾格頓和貝特曼的精湛演技為影片注入了豐富的層次感。

逼真的場景設定：機場環境的設計與運用十分出色，增添了緊張感與不可預測性。

深刻的主題探討：影片對道德抉擇的描寫賦予了故事更多的思想深度。

Weaknesses

Predictable Moments: Some plot twists can be anticipated, especially for seasoned thriller fans.

Underutilized Supporting Characters: While the main cast shines, several supporting roles feel underdeveloped.

Rushed Climax: The resolution, while satisfying, could have benefited from more buildup to fully realize its emotional impact.

缺點

情節部分預測性強：對於熟悉驚悚片的觀眾而言，有些情節發展可能過於容易預測。

配角發揮不足：儘管演員表現出色，但部分配角角色的挖掘稍顯不足。

結局節奏過快：雖然結局令人滿意，但缺乏足夠的鋪墊以完全釋放情感衝擊力。

Action and Suspense

The action sequences are tightly choreographed, with a mix of hand-to-hand combat, chase scenes, and tense standoffs. One standout moment involves Ethan navigating a crowded baggage handling area while being pursued, using his knowledge of the airport’s layout to outsmart his adversaries.

The suspense is palpable throughout, with the film employing ticking-clock scenarios and moral quandaries to keep the audience engaged. The interplay between Bateman’s villain and Egerton’s hero is particularly effective, as their cat-and-mouse dynamic escalates to a thrilling conclusion.

動作與懸疑

動作場景設計緊湊且創新，包括伊森在擁擠的行李處理區中與追兵周旋，利用對機場布局的熟悉來扭轉劣勢。影片中的懸疑氛圍極為突出，從倒數計時的情節設計到角色間的心理博弈，每一幕都緊扣觀眾的神經。

Themes and Emotional Core

At its heart, Carry-On is a story about resilience and the cost of doing what’s right. Ethan’s journey reflects the struggle between self-preservation and the greater good, forcing him to make sacrifices that test his character. The film also examines the vulnerabilities of modern security systems, raising questions about trust and accountability in high-stress environments.

主題與情感核心

《Carry-On》的核心是一個關於韌性與道德代價的故事。伊森的旅程展現了個人在極端壓力下的掙扎，反映了在正義與自我保護之間的難以抉擇。影片同時也揭示了現代安檢系統的脆弱性，提出了對信任與責任的深刻思考。

Critical Reception

Critics have praised Carry-On for its suspenseful storytelling and standout performances, particularly from Egerton and Bateman. Some have noted the film’s reliance on genre conventions but have also highlighted its execution as a redeeming factor. Fans of Collet-Serra’s previous work will find much to enjoy here, as the director once again proves his ability to elevate familiar premises with style and precision.

影評與反響

評論家對《Carry-On》的懸疑敘事和演員表現給予了高度評價，特別是對艾格頓和貝特曼的表演表示讚賞。儘管有些人認為影片過於依賴類型套路，但流暢的執行與情感投入讓它獲得了觀眾的廣泛認可。

Conclusion

Carry-On is a taut, well-crafted thriller that delivers both adrenaline-pumping action and thought-provoking themes. While it may not break new ground in the genre, its strong performances, atmospheric setting, and relentless pacing make it a thoroughly entertaining ride. Taron Egerton’s portrayal of an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary limits is both relatable and inspiring, solidifying his status as a leading man in Hollywood.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

總結

《Carry-On》是一部緊湊且精心打造的驚悚片，融合了令人腎上腺素飆升的動作場面與發人深省的主題探討。塔倫·艾格頓憑藉其真實且令人信服的表演，進一步鞏固了他在好萊塢的地位。雖然影片未能完全突破驚悚片的類型局限，但憑藉強烈的情感核心與緊張刺激的節奏，它仍然是一部值得一看的精彩之作。

評分：★★★★☆（4/5）