Solid sequel to one of the better Chinese wuxia films of recent years, nicely shot with kinetic fights, again strongly influenced by Rorouni Kenshin. It's a shame the main character is so dour - it's hard to root for him, but the kid is really good, and provides the personality Xie Miao's blind swordsman is lacking.
Havoc is a bit of a slow burn, as Tom Hardy's world-weary cop deals with corruption, compromise and an fresh-faced rookie in uniform who has inexplicably been assigned to work with him. The early car chase scenes look a bit video-gamey, heavy use of CGI made more conspicuous by impossible camera movements and some floaty physics.
Hardy's absolute reluctance to engage with any of the shit that's going on is in danger of rubbing off on the viewer, but somewhere…
This fifth film in the live action series takes us back to when Kenshin was known as Himura Battosai, a feared assassin fighting the Shogunate with the Shinsengumi hot on his tail, when a beautiful woman with an aura of sadness enters his life.
If you've seen RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE FINAL you know who she is and why she is sad, and how this film is going to end because you've already seen it. I don't know why they chose…
Basically "What if Hardcore Henry, but the camera just does whatever the fuck it wants". How much you enjoy Carter will depend mainly on how much value you place on ambition vs execution. The film is audacious in the extreme, but held back by conspicuous green screen effects and dodgy CGI.
I'd have happily sacrificed some impossible camera movements for more immersive practical effects. but the film is still a thrilling spectacle and a must see for action enthusiasts... just keep your expectations grounded, its flaws are plentiful.
