Friday Is finally here and if you are staying inside tonight this two movies will keep you entertained.
Sound of Freedom
This small film tackles a harrowing subject that caused a sensation, particularly in the U.S., and is coming to Greece this January. Based on true events, it delves into child trafficking by smugglers, pedophile networks, and the story of a homeland security agent’s relentless effort to track down and rescue a kidnapped girl—even venturing into the jungles of Colombia. Personally, the film gave me chills; its flaws pale in comparison to the undeniably difficult and shocking central theme it seeks to portray.
🟢 Positives
The story itself is the film’s greatest strength, and the fact that it’s based on a true story makes it all the more chilling.
Jim Caviezel delivers an excellent performance in the lead role.
The child actors also did a great job.
The build-up in the first two acts is promising and well-structured.
While the direction is fairly "basic," there are a few small scenes that stood out visually and impressed me.
❌ Negatives
The runtime could have been a bit shorter.
Most of the musical choices didn’t work for me; they felt out of place and disrupted the atmosphere.
The basic directing style isn’t bothersome (at least to me), but it does lack flair.
In the third act, set in the jungle, things got a little out of hand, even reaching the point of exaggeration. Still, it doesn’t undermine the film’s overall impact.
It could have gone deeper into certain aspects to deliver its messages more powerfully.
Carry-On
The movie takes us to Christmas Eve, which turns into a nightmare for Ethan Kopek, a young airline security guard, when he becomes the target of a mysterious traveler. The traveler gives Ethan an ultimatum: either let a dangerous package onto the plane or face catastrophic consequences. Another Netflix adventure, or does it manage to stand out this time?
🟢 Positives
Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman deliver solid performances, though not exactly mind-blowing.
The fast pacing suits this type of film well.
The second half is noticeably better than the first.
It has a nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of 90s thrillers—a welcome touch.
The suspense builds nicely in certain moments, keeping you engaged.
There's an elaborate (mostly digital) sequence involving a cop trying to retrieve a gun inside a car that stands out, even if the CGI is obvious.
❌Negatives
The clichés of the genre and some predictable plot conveniences make their appearance but aren't overly annoying.
While entertaining, the overall result is pretty average.
Some character decisions lack logic but are clearly sacrificed for the sake of action.
I hope you like it and if you watch them tell me your thoughts.
Have a great night guys.
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