For every The Irishman, Netflix may not have the greatest movies in their repertoire. However, if you really dive deep in their original content, as far as movies go, you’ll actually find some that really meet solid entertainment levels. 6 Underground, Triple Frontier, Apostle, Outlaw King and The King may not be Oscar worthy, but the entertainment value of each of those movies can not be overlooked. Netflix also might be considered the king of all original content because it seems as if that every week that goes by there constantly throwing out a new show or a movie, and judging on the quality aside, there’s an argument to be made that they’re very consistent on dropping new material for the users. Netflix’s newest original movie, Extraction isn’t going for an Oscar caliber level of movie, nevertheless, this was a movie that was born for the big screen experience. Extraction is a nuts and bolts action movie, with spectacular hand to hand combat scenes that delivers in old school and brutal fashion. It’s stylish with gorgeous cinematography, amazingly paced and it shows off Chris Hemsworth’s physicality in a visceral type of way.
A black-market mercenary, Tyler Rake, who has nothing to lose is hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. But in the murky underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers, an already deadly mission approaches the impossible.
For the style of action that Extraction is going for, it manages to take some of the better elements of Fury Road, John Wick, Dredd, and other frantic “human target” crucibles and deliver a rough and tumble redemption story featuring a broken-inside black ops soldier tasked with rescuing a kidnapped teen. The action is the star here, no doubt, but the story while but a whisper, is still weighty enough to suffice. Chris Hemsworth is a great dramatic and charismatic lead, especially as the son of Odin, but man does he show his defining action chops in this movie. As Tyler, Hemsworth brings a great brute force to the character that makes him imposing. He’s formidable in his fighting, shooting, and overall frenetic physicality. He’s also able to move the slender story along with his pathos, giving Tyler a layer of sadness that a lesser-performer would probably glower their way through. And while the action is the aspect that makes Extraction what it is, there is a spark in its narrative by helping Rudhraksh Jaiswal’s Ovi, the son of an Indian crime boss who’s been kidnapped by a rival drug lord. It’s conventional, yes, but Hemsworth and Jaiswal are able to create a believable and emotional dynamic that’s quick but effective.
Coming from his line of stunt work and second unit directing on several MCU movies and other big movies, Sam Hargrave makes his strong and competent directorial debut, that stays right in his wheelhouse, drawing back from his work as a stunt man and a fight coordinator. Hargrave does all of this exceptionally well, delivering a lead character who fights like he’s one of the more successful super soldier serum test subjects – along with an impressive 10-minute (maybe longer) single-shot set piece that moves from a car chase into a foot chase into a showdown inside an apartment building.
David Harbour (Stranger Things, Hellboy) pops up closer towards the third act of Extraction, allowing the movie to heighten the level of brutality that comes within Tyler, and while it’s great to Harbour go toe-to-toe with the god of thunder, it basically goes the way you’d expect it to go down. It’s definitely a weaker aspect of the movie, but you forgive the trope because Harbour’s good and, yes, the story does need to pause every so often. Extraction is a whiz-bang example of “cliches are cliches because they work.” Arguably, the best action films have the simplest spines. Using one of the world’s most densely populated cities as its storyline sandbox, the film’s able to create a gritty, claustrophobic feeling without having its main characters get trapped in a building or some other enclosed structure.
Just like the last movie that the Russo Brother’s produced, 21 Bridges, Extraction is a simple, yet sufficient, story that perfectly allows the film’s action to take center stage. It’s a strong and competent directorial debut from Sam Hargrave, who clearly has a deep appreciation for orchestrating action and capturing stunt work unlike any other action director. Hemsworth is great, as always, and while it’s light on its narrative, its action is some of the best of it’s kind.
My grade for Extraction: A-
Zane's take at the Cinema's 