EXTRACTION 2
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Olga Kurylenko, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Adam Bessa, Tornike Gogrichiani, and Idris Elba
Director: Sam Hargrave
AMARÚ
Director Sam Hargrave’s ability to use his stunt background to navigate the camera around Extraction II’s action scenes makes for an engrossing form of storytelling, much more engrossing than the actual plot. Everything between the action feels like interludes while you wait for the next shootout, fight scene, or car chase. I learned more about these characters from the film’s amazing 20-minute “oner” than from the 25 minutes of set up to get there. Luckily, the story gets more interesting as the film progresses, but that’s because most of the film’s remaining runtime focuses on utilizing Hargrave’s action sensibilities.
QUENTIN
Aside from a very video game-like (in a good way!) one-shot that lasts for over 20 minutes, Extraction II doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a load of fun as an action-packed thrill ride. Simply put, this is a throwback actioner, harking back to the Sly Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger hits of yesteryear. Sure, the story is a bit thin, but that’s not the point of a movie like this. You’re here for gunfights and fisticuffs, and this plays like John Wick done in the gritty tone of a Bourne movie. Netflix has finally found a worthwhile franchise.
NICK
Save for one continuous tracking shot, all I remember about 2020's Extraction is how underwhelming I found it. Extraction II, however, is the opposite. The sequel outperforms in every way, but none more so than the action. The story is nothing special, but if you’re looking for electric gun fights, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and glorious set pieces, you'll be thrilled. Director Sam Hargrave is quickly shooting up the list of directors to keep an eye on, and I look forward to seeing him work with other writers and more in-depth scripts.
