Earlier this year, Netflix released a hype montage featuring some the biggest movies heading to the service in 2022 and there was one movie that particularly stood out, Carter. For an international action flick from a relatively unknown director that didn’t have any big names attached, its appearance alongside other star-studded films certainly made it seem more important. Now that it’s here, Carter and Korean director Jung Byung-gil certainly show they belong amongst Netflix’s biggest movies of the year.
The film tells a familiar action story, following an amnesiac man named Carter (Joo Won) who wakes up to find himself ensnared in a dangerous mission to find a young girl (Kim Bo-min) who could cure a rising viral infection. However, Jung makes this pretty standard story idea incredibly thrilling and unique by capturing it all in one, continuous take. The idea of the one-take film has been seen recently with Sam Mendes’ 1917, but what Jung accomplishes makes that film look like child’s play. While the overuse of obvious jumpy cuts and rough looking CGI environments can make Carter not as smooth as 1917, the ambition of its action makes it an absolutely jaw-dropping experience.
Stylistically, Carter is basically if Jason Statham action movies like Transporter and Crank had a baby and then you gave that baby a gigantic shot of adrenaline. It gets your heart pounding right from the start and seeing some of these wild chase sequences and bloody fights come together in one continuous take is totally breathtaking. With all the choreography and sheer ambition on screen, you can’t help but feel like you’re watching a true visionary at work and it’s impressive how Jung never shies away from upping the ante. Seriously, there are car chases, massive fight sequences that make the iconic Old Boy hallway fight look simple, high-flying chaos, and explosive bouts that all fit incredibly well into this one-take vision. Even the points that show the cuts and Jung’s transition tricks feel like they belong in the film’s action style and this impressive vision makes Carter absolutely worth seeking out for fans of the genre.
Sadly, there aren’t many more big highlights in Carter simply because it has a little too much going on and not enough depth to support it. It’s story is a little too ordinary for the genre and the way the film tries to build up its lore only adds more confusing elements. Personally, the film plays its deception card a little too often in trying to establish who the “good guys” Carter should be working with are. The film’s merry-go-round of possibilities never feels all that enticing, and no answer ever feels all that satisfying or meaningful. Even the way the film tries to bring in sociopolitical narratives into the mix never breaks past the surface or leaves a more impactful impression than the action.
However, even the action can’t support the film’s bloated runtime and while it’s fun to watch this insanity unfold, it’s not enough to keep the film’s two hour plus runtime from eventually turning into a slog—especially with the film’s other shortcomings. While Won gives a really strong performance as the titular Carter, there are some lesser performances that detract—especially when the film transitions between Korean and English. Also, the whole virus plot could honestly be forgotten about because of how small the stakes feel for most of the movie and it only comes back about halfway through for a big action sequence. There are some good parts to the story, including a surprise appearance that fans of Luke Cage will lose their minds over, a couple of intriguing ideas dealing with Carter’s mysterious past and political mind games between the Korean and US factions, but it never feels equal to the action.
In the same vein as Hardcore Henry, Carter is a big step forward for the action genre but is certainly style over substance most of the time. However, that doesn’t mean that Jung shouldn’t be applauded for his incredible vision and execution, as it not only makes Carter one of Netflix’s most memorable films of the year, but one of the most innovate action flicks in recent time.
I honestly don’t understand the criticism of this film lacking depth or substance. It is clear that you shouldn’t be taking events too seriously. It’s all about the action. And the story is in service of the action. Besides, most Marvel films have been the same. Focus on spectacle with very little substance, yet people are raving about those. Also, you mentioned Hardcore Henry. Well, that did have a better narrative and awesome Sharlto Copley to give the film some weight. But same complaints. So maybe most don’t like the style or simply don’t love action as much.