Taron Egerton's "Carry-On" fails to match the intensity of "Die Hard"

In a set of chaotic events during Christmas Eve at Los Angeles International Airport, a traveler named Jason Bateman attempts to smuggle a deadly toxin in his carry-on bag. The TSA agent, Ethan, portrayed by Taron Egerton, is thrust into a critical position as he must monitor this traveler while also dealing with ongoing challenges in his personal life. The film presents a blend of action and comedic moments, showcasing the struggles TSA employees face in keeping air travel safe. As the movie unfolds, Ethan’s character is developed beyond the typical portrayal of a low-level airport employee. Instead, he demonstrates a strong moral compass and engages in a series of tense confrontations with Bateman’s character, whose motivations remain sketchy and underexplored. As the story unveils, the viewer witnesses Ethan juggling his duties as a TSA agent while being coerced to act against the rising threat presented by Traveler. The subplot involving a police officer, Elena Cole, played by Danielle Deadwyler, adds another layer of intrigue as she investigates suspicious deaths linked to the toxin. This subplot lacks significant depth but serves as a backdrop to the brewing conflict between Ethan and Traveler. The film's stylistic choices look to elicit both laughter and tension, but its pacing often leaves certain plot lines feeling thin and underdeveloped. Overall, "Carry-On" aims to pay homage to the sacrifices and struggles of TSA personnel while weaving an action-packed narrative, albeit at the cost of fully fleshing out character backstories and motivations. The culmination of events leads to a climax filled with humor, action, and a longing hope for clarity amidst chaos at one of the busiest airports in the country.