Carter (2022) User Reviews

Headache Inducing

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 4/10 · 9 August 2022]

Editor: How many cuts & transitions do you want?

Director: Yes

Man! My head hurts and my eyes need some rest. Even though I do love these fast-paced action features, this turned out to be too much! I know and I understand that there would be some who have an undying appetite for such kinds of filmmaking, and that's fine, cause to each their own! But if you ask me, I could not enjoy the ride as much as I wished for.

Part of it is due to how turbulent & disorderly it had ultimately become! What was inaugurated as an inventive piece that comprises distinctive one-of-a-kind action, slowly turned itself into one tiring repetition. Add cheesy performances and a suboptimal write-up to that equation and we got ourselves a highly forgettable affair.

Otherwise decent action focused film ruined by camera work.

[PookieNumnums · 4/10 · 6 August 2022]

The film isn't about the plot the politics or the acting. It's about the action. In and of itself, despite some wonky parts that are just not believable, the action is decent.

But the whole thing is ruined by the attempt at a constant one take attempt constantly jostled about by the shaky camera effect.

If you mixed Kingsman camera movement and spinning and pov changing with Blair witch project handheld shaky cam footage it would be the camera work on this movie.

Absolutely unbearable after a certain point while you're just trying to focus on the action scenes unfolding.

Its worth a try if you think you can withstand that. Otherwise it's hard on the eyes and brain with the constant camera shake.

Feels more like a video game

[Zeus-pro · 6/10 · 5 August 2022]

Director Jung has come to collect - in an exhausting, unwavering maelstrom of ambitious yet somehow derivative fist fights, shoot-outs, car chases and plane crashes, all shot with nauseating, nitrous-fuelled drones that appear caught in a perpetual tailspin. As a result, much of the action feels weightless and simulated, even when propped up by Won's insanely physical performance.

Carter is a protagonist for whom the laws of physics are merely a suggestion, and whose dramatic motivation is spoon-fed to him by inconsequential bit players between punch-ups, like cutscenes in a video game.

One time watch for the respect of Byung-gil Jung, who made The Villainess (2017).

Well, if you are a fan of,...

[seacargm · 2/10 · 11 August 2022]

Outrageously overused drone shots, really poor CGI, bad acting and terrible scripts and endless seizure inducing one-take shots then this is the film for you. I give it a two for trying to put up exciting action scenes, but all of the other things really detract from its overall watch-ability. And in all seriousness, if you are prone to seizures, skip this one.

Great promise with bad execuation

[mikkiparker · 4/10 · 5 August 2022]

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.

From strange to laughable. Lmao

[cynicsick · 1/10 · 8 August 2022]

Epic fail at an attempt to create an action movie to seemingly have no cuts. The gimmick it aims for became its worst enemy, unfortunately. Im quite forgivable when it comes to action movies but this one just kept digging its own grave to the point where I'm literally laughing out loud and saying WTF.

ALTHOUGH maybe give this a shot while you're high AF or getting drunk with a bunch of friends, that might have actually been fun but sadly for me I came in watching dead sober with time to waste and this review is what I ended up doing instead. Apologies to those who worked hard on this movie but maybe next time make a comedy instead!

VIDEO GAME CUTSCENES

[amir_alam-02994 · 7/10 · 5 August 2022]

THhis is like video game cutscenes that turn into a movie .. Great movie for some peoples , bad movie for those cannot accept this type of movie .. I think this movie is okay ..

Vomit bag or a bucket recommended

[andyhwl · 1/10 · 5 August 2022]

This movie seems llike scenes from a FPS video game.

There are lots of actions but camera work is horrible that gives you motion sickeness, if that is your thing. The camera is constantly moving like there is no image stabilisation or is always panning or spinning. There is no consistent POV and it never focus on anything for more than 2 seconds even when someone is talking.

Storyline is rather uninteresting and a bit forced and unrealistic.

Interesting cinematography

[Randy-Dreammaker · 6/10 · 8 August 2022]

First the things most people want to know: The story takes some snippets from the Matrix, Resident Evil at different places. Switches between English and Korean (mostly Korean), is way to long, and because its non stop high energy action and motion from its opening scene, the final conflict and resolve of the story is nothing more than coming off this speed trip to normal paced reality and a cheesy last second unended conflict scene too suggest it might lead to a sequel or just as a teaser.

Only near the end did it start to get a little boring, mainly because every fathomable cinematography angle and technique ever conceived in film history ran out and had to be recycled.

From a cinematography and filmmaker perspective It is an amazing film to watch, because it uses all kinds of controlled speed manipulation, angles and unedited camera moves that'll make you ponder how it was done. Lots of amazing drone, crane, rail, and angle manipulations I have never seen before.

If you like resident evil, then you know what your getting except this would be the MA-13 or Unrated version.

Some of the acting, mainly by the English speaking cast is poor, what I would expect from a low budget production using inexperienced actors and actresses, but there is nothing low budget about this movie other than the poorly executed and stiff dialog.

A great movie presents a level of believable authenticity, even when not realistic. For the most part Carter pulls this off, despite fighting sequences that would be totally impossible and unrealistic. So it meets that objective.

I gave it a 6 star rating because of the visually interesting cinematography. If i rated it entirely on the story, i might give it a 5 or less because its not very original in concept.

The fact that it was filmed entirely in Korea was a good decision from a filmmaker perspective and it makes sense, because a majority of this movie could not be filmed with live stunt work in the USA due to safety limitations.

It's a decent lazy day weekend movie.

Less would have been more

[graywessel · 1/10 · 5 August 2022]

This movie is ridiculous, but not in a good way. CIA, memory wipes, conflict between North and South Korea, bombs in teeth, a zombie plague (just a sloppy, minor element in a way too ambitious story) and stuck in the middle is a CIA agent who had plastic surgery and his memory erased to do the mission? The plot is muddy, and it doesn't help that each bit of exposition is explained at length, at least 3 times. This movie could have been an hour shorter, especially if it was going to be filmed in "one take" where the came NEVER stops moving. Story gets in the way of plot, special effects are jarring, and the cinematography makes you wanna puke. This one was rough to say the least.

Carter (2022) is like a Korean version of Hardcore Henry. And pretty insane one!

[prolelol · 8/10 · 6 August 2022]

The entire film is shot and made in a way that makes it look like a one-shot long take. But you can notice that there were lots of cuts because there are like 85% of the actions that were pretty insane, so that would be extremely impossible to shoot one long take lol.

It was Hardcore Henry type movie that had more actions, only the editing was kinda poorly done. Lots of cheap green screens and CGI, but doesn't bother me anyway. The actions sequences were actually pretty insane and impressive, IMO. The camerawork is kinda cool, but some people might find it annoying.

Would have been one of the best action films if it was shot in 4-6 long takes without green screens, for sure. Overall, I liked it, it's quite unique. Except Hardcore Henry, I've never seen any movies like this one.

Great action movie

[MikeGoodmen · 7/10 · 5 August 2022]

Incredible action scenes, adrenalin all over the story, the entire movie is a one shot camera recording, who cares if the CGI is welding the frames ? Who cares if it looks like a video-game?? Very good entertainment movie, the main actor is great. Why assigning a low rating just because isn't a US movie ? Great Korean production.

A perfect example of "too much of a good thing is bad".

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 4/10 · 11 August 2022]

Carter was a style over substance dizzying 132 minutes of utter ridiculousness, ruined by horrible camerawork and a convoluted story. Huge props to lead actor Joo Won, all the skilled stuntmen, insanely choreographed action scenes and the great action set pieces and visuals, but sadly, all that effort was wasted on unwatchable dizzying, seizure-inducing, single-take-looking headache-inducing camera work - and just as bad editing. Had all the great action and fight scenes been shot normally - with tact, intelligence, and aim, this film's action could've topped the Mission Impossible films. But instead, it was like a drunk on meth, with one fancy camera drone trying to keep up with the action. Then add a decent conceptual story, that ended up being incoherent and tried too hard to be smart with convoluted twists, and drag it out with unnecessarily repetitive long action scenes - for over 2 hours. It was frustrating, exhausting, and a huge missed opportunity to be a great action film. If you want to see it done properly - with great action and a great story, watch The Roundup with Don Lee. Writer and director Byung-gil Jung needs to stick to basic camera work and lessen the overbearing dramatics, as well as work towards better story-telling - in under 2 hours.

It's as bad as they say

[andymhancock · 2/10 · 5 August 2022]

When some reviewers say that this movie isn't for everyone, boy, are they right. This is essentially footage of a 1st-person shooter video game. There is no story, and there's not even any redeeming fight action. You know the martial arts movies where the actors aren't good martial arts performers or lack skill, so they make up for it with shakey cam? This is that, on steroids.

Unwatchable

[Erik_Stone · 2/10 · 7 August 2022]

Cool idea to shoot such long single shot action scenes and really cool action ideas and stunt work.

There is some fun nudity at the beginning, too.

Unfortunately, although the continuous camera shots are cool, they are not smooth and they will give you a headache after just a couple of minutes. That is what makes it unwatchable. This type of movie doesn't need a plot, so no loss there.

Fun to watch in 1 minute segments if you are a camera operator or drone pilot.

Action and CGI is comical

[raynoj · 1/10 · 5 August 2022]

The action is overdone, CGI is terrible and camera work made me seasick.

Way too many scenes that didn't make any sense at all...and I am baffled as to why and how this movie has a review over 5?

A filmmaker who executed his vision!!

[derekadrouillard · 6/10 · 7 August 2022]

An absolute brilliant effort in cinematography and fight choreography, acting is perfectly adequate marriage with a typical action storyline.

High praise for what is visually presented it's wildly entertaining using creative action that plays comedic while never losing visceral impact.

If you love action films, this is your bag!

Good action combined with low budget and horrible story decisions

[W4tch1t4ll · 4/10 · 10 August 2022]

The story is hilarious and the further the movie goes the worse it gets. Actually the beginning is pretty good and has some stylish scenes.

The main character is charismatic and delivers some good action......even though he almost never gets a hit, which is ridiculous.

Unfortunately the movie budget was clearly not very high, which doesn't help of course and makes the stupid story look even more ridiculous.

Carter is watchable if you don't think too much and don't mind the lack of professionalism.

In fact if they would have continued the way the movie started it wouldn't be so bad, but after ~ 45min everything goes down under.

4 out of 10 with tendency towards 3.

Hardcore Henry W/Zombies

[weenus-67647 · 7/10 · 5 August 2022]

Didn't see the Zombies comin really... Clicked on it for Jon Woo, I misread Joo Won.

Ridiculous action the whole way, funny at times (maybe unintentional)

Not for me.......

[kanifuker-84708 · 1/10 · 6 August 2022]

Not for me this movie though i'm a huge huge fan for 20yrs now of South Korean movie but i don't do stupid camcorder movies or first person video game style movies and this is one of them. I watched around 15mins and that was enough and came here and now realise why the rating is so low and it deserves to be.

Action packed insanity

[jacksongaming-80094 · 9/10 · 5 August 2022]

Carter is a very ambitious film and the entire film has been shot as a "oner", thought sometimes the cuts are easily visible I appreciate the effort. The camera work is absolutely insane, and though the plot gets overshadowed by the action in this movie, the main reason you will be watching this movie is for the action and it absolutely delivers. Kudos to the entire team who worked on this cuz as a filmmaker myself it is absolutely clear that this was not an easy movie to execute and film and personally I think though this movie has its own share of flaws, they pulled off something incredible here.

It's a showcase

[onexmillion · 7/10 · 6 August 2022]

Of special effects. It's an action film and it delivers. If you're looking for an action film that delivers on amazing special effects, then this is it.

It is what it is and you can't say anything else about it, really.

Korean Bollywood

[satantwin · 1/10 · 8 August 2022]

Watched 28 mins of this mind numbing action film and I can take no more.

Its a film where 1 naked man in a thong kills / dismember 200+ naked men with knives in thongs in a sauna with 4 to 5 naked women high as kite watching and 1 naked woman shooting randomly acting like a Zombie.

I will be working next and work will be 100 times more fun than this Nonsense.

Seems like this film was shot on a Nokia phone from 2006.

bad camera work and extremely unrealistic affects

[aavaliani · 2/10 · 10 August 2022]

The story of the movie almost doesn't exist. The movie is 2 hours fighting, with bollywood like special affect. On top of it, the camera works is so bad it is difficult to follow what is happening.

Bad script and awful use of visual effects

[heroforever-29297 · 1/10 · 5 August 2022]

Realy dispointed from the way it ends and the actors deserve better directing . It was like watching a video game without playing it . The begginig of the movie was ok but then they used too much CGI and really.