KSL Movie Show review: ‘Carry-On’ is a crazy little nail-biter

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — Wouldn’t you say it’s about time?  

After all, how many movies have we seen where the TSA Officer at airport security is always portrayed as either a doofus or someone on a power trip? 

Well, now Hollywood is about to correct that misconception with an action thriller that swings it way back to the other side of the spectrum in a “Die Hard” meets “Non-Stop” sort of way.

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Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) and his girlfriend Nora (Sofia Carson) both work at the Los Angeles International Airport. He is an unassuming TSA officer and she is a big-shot executive for a major airline. 

He had loftier dreams at one point to join the LAPD, but it rejected him and so he’s just going through the motions without much enthusiasm at his current position. She, on the other hand, is rising quickly within her company and somewhat resents Ethan’s lack of drive. 

On top of that, she’s just discovered that she’s pregnant and now the urgency for him to step up goes to another level. Determined to grow up and fly right, he approaches his boss Sarkowski (Dean Norris) for a promotion, but thanks to his frequent tardiness and lack of enthusiasm, gets a solid no, if not a “you got guts for asking’’ response.

Oh by the way, it’s Christmas Eve with thousands of eager passengers trying to make their flights, while rolling their eyes at the TSA people for trying to do their jobs. 

In a last-minute change, Sarkowski decides to put Kopek on “the scanning machine” — with the great responsibility of checking those carry-on bags for too much shampoo and conditioner and oh yeah, spot a potential weapon or bomb that could ruin everyone’s day.

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Enter a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) who is trying to get just such a weapon through security. His idea is to get into the ear of the scanner through a small listening device, threaten him or her with the potential death of a loved one, and all they have to do is let a certain bag pass through. Turn your head away and your girlfriend Nora lives to see another day. 

The traveler’s team had previously chosen another officer, but the last-minute switch created a slight problem. However, his crack team is so good, that they somehow instantly know everything about Ethan and Nora, including an obscure reference to Ethan running track in high school. 

I thought, what an odd thing to mention, unless, this is some kind of not-so-subtle foreshadowing that will play out later.  

Well from here on out, you’ll be required to ignore a number of odd scenarios that could potentially derail the action. But I was having a good time, so I largely ignored them, right up until Ethan began chasing down an airliner on the tarmac with one of those squatty luggage loaders that apparently have a higher gear than we’re used to seeing. Laughter ensued.  

And as always, your enjoyment of this crazy little nail-biter will depend on your reaction to the handful of “Are they serious?” moments boldly displayed, hoping you won’t notice, in this mostly engaging motion picture.

“CARRY-ON” (B-) Rated PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images, some language and suggestive references. Starring Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler and Dean Norris. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (“Black Adam” “Jungle Cruise” “Non-Stop”) – filmed in New Orleans. Running time: 119 minutes. A NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE. 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.