Carter (2022)

Great promise with bad execuation

The idea of this film was very promising and attention-grabbing, especially for lovers of action films and thrillers (for me!). However, the execution and direction of this film just weren't satisfying enough.

In the beginning of the story, I was already doubtful after seeing the sauna scene - "Carter", a single man with no memory, manages to kill over 20 (probably 30+) men, all with knives and other kinds of weapons, basically single-handedly and without a scratch. Even the best-trained killers wouldn't be that capable. The opening already tells you how the story will go. The action scenes are way too unrealistic, almost fantasy-like. For a film that's classified as an action thriller, that's not so good.

The one-scene one-cut technique used during the camera work was nice and refreshing at the beginning but later on became frustrating. A lot of "empty" scenes showing empty rooms, the underneath of a car etc...just absolutely unnecessary scenes.

The non-Korean actors ruined the show for me. Their acting was simply bad, very amateur-like and mediocre.

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Action on Action

TW: This movie contails full on nudity, violence and gory.

First off, a huge round of applause to all of the actors and actresses! This movie, from beginning to end, was jammed packed with action scenes- literally action on action. Joo Won carried his action scenes terrifically. 👏 Happy to see JW back on the screen!

💭 What I enjoyed 💭

1. [ The cinematography ] - I appreciate the switch from 1st person to 3rd person perspective from time to time. It invites the audience (you) to be a part of the movie with the characters. It gives off this feeling like you're playing a video game. The movements of the camera will have you drifting in and out of an "interactive" video game to movie style.

2. [ The action scenes ] There are a lot of action scenes! I never once felt bored. The enemy emerges from any and every direction, LOL. I like that the director did not shy away from bloodsheds! There is a big considerable amount of gore.

3. [ The portrayal of virus is different ] Yes, the plotline is centered around this virus called "DMZ virus". However, it's not your typical bitting-eating-flesh mutants. Politics and distrust between NK and SK is in the plotline too.

4. I like the added mystery concept of: "What is real and what isn't?" shown between Carter's memory and what is told by others about his true identity.

💭 What I think can be improved on 💭

1. [ Acrobatics ] - In some action scenes, the camera could've just stayed still and have the entire scene pan out wide & we all would've been perfectly fine with it. Instead, the camera twirled in circles, constant up in the sky then back down on earth, then zig-zag from one car/motorcycle to the next.... beware if you have motion sickness. There were too many unnecessary acrobatic camer movements.
I wholeheartedly think the camera crew deserves a raise- they most definitely broke their back doing all of the extra camera movements.

2. [ The ending ] I personally felt like the ending ended abruptly.

3. [ Too many side characters ] Anytime any new side characters get introduced to us, it feels like there's going to be more to the story... but nothing happens. Although I appreciate the appearances of the stunt doubles & extras (such as Mike Colter), they did NOT add any depth to the storyline. Could've replaced those with scenes that would deepen the storyline & characters arc. This was a missed opportunity IMO.

4. [ Virus ] Aside from knowing the name and *possibly* where the virus started from.... we don't really know much about the virus? Wish they could've elaborated more on the global and health crisis.

• My overall thought: Lots of action and style... with no substance. If you're a big fan of action and thriller movies, I do think you should give this a watch! This movie definitely live up to those two genres. And those two genres only.

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