Extraction ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Netflix Original action movie from the Russo brothers and directed by a stunt coordinator — and the action scenes show. This movie very much could have been something we saw in the theaters, as it has all the polish and sheen of a theatrical movie and yet we can find it on Netflix.
While one might expect a great deal of frenzied shaky-cam vainly trying to capture a never-ending onslaught of bullets and screeching tires, Hargrave thankfully goes the “John Wick” route, with several very impressive, long-take, smooth, unpredictable, and exciting sequences.
‘Extraction’ and ‘1BR’ are among four new movies worth streaming this week – The San Francisco Examiner
… you’ve been warned, SPOILERS ahead …
Produced by Russo Brother of Avengers: Endgame fame
This is the follow-up project from one of the Russo brothers, famous for the #1 box office smash Avengers: Endgame. Having not seen that movie yet (I want to see every MCU movie leading up to that first), I can’t make any comparisons stylistically, but it is worth noting, that some production fire is behind this. I’m not normally that interested in who produced the movie (see: How Important are Movie Producers?), but when the producers are coming off multi-billions at the box office, it’s worth mentioning as a factor.
The film rather quickly earned the #1 spot in Netflix top 10 in the United States list.
Action scenes sometimes remind me of the AC DC song “Touch Too Much”
We get that this is an action movie, so the action scenes need to be good. My only concern with this film is it’s like that’s where the emphasis is almost always at: action. The fighting choreography and stunts are all done well. Sometimes maybe overdone, I guess, is my complaint.
What about character and story? This is sort of the problem with a lot of action films, particularly the ones with stars past their action film days prime trying to relive younger action days (cough – Steven Segal – cough). Age isn’t Hemsworth’s problem here, it purely story and script.
Hemsworth can do more than Thor … when he gets a script that challenges him
I think Hemsworth has the chops to escape any type-casting with Thor, and this movie at least proves that, but when you look up his filmography, most of the titles are that role.
Reviews by Others
What do others think of Extraction?
Recommended
- Ambar Chatterjee’s Reviews: “I would not mind watching this film a couple of times more. Thanks to the lack of new original content on the OTT and a total stop on new releases in theaters, Extraction is poised to be a huge draw for Netflix in the coming weeks.”
- BadBlokeBob (4/5): “It’s not the most sophisticated thriller ever made, and it doesn’t reach the giddy heights of John Wick in the action department, but it’s nonetheless entertaining at what it sets out to achieve. If they do decide to make more, I’ll definitely be there.”
- Bookshelf Battle: “A lot of great action scenes, gun battles, fist fights, explosions and what have you. Box office blockbuster quality brought straight to streaming in HD.”
- Cinema Trace: “…the focus went all to the action, making the actual story and characters suffer from formulaic storytelling, cliche backstories, and an overall lack of emotional attachment. Still, Extraction is the best Netflix original action movie of its history, so don’t miss it!”
- Crespo’s Cave / Brandon Crespo: “…mostly sticks to generic tropes when conveying the familiar story. Where it does raise the bar is with the action shots and camera work. I highly recommend watching it just for that and I promise you’ll love it.”
- Doc / EYG Embrace Your Geek: “There is a feel of old school 1980’s thrillers with action heroes busting through bad guys. It is extremely violent and filled with great action and I enjoyed the film.”
- Everything Movie Reviews: “…pleasantly surprised me, delivering a thrilling action film packed full of fast-paced action sequences with impressive fight choreography and camera work. It’s brutal and gritty and I loved almost every minute of it.”
- fangirlish.com: “Chris Hemsworth and Rudhraksh Jaiswal did an amazing job at showing a bond of love and companionship in the midst of danger and bullets. And I hope to see more of both of them in the coming future.”
- FILMAHOLIC / Miguel Araiza: “…might not be on the same caliber as the best Netflix has offered. Still, for a Friday night watch, it’s pleasant enough to keep you entertained throughout.”
- Franz Patrick’s Film Archive: “Those who wish to focus on the big picture—and only the big picture—will claim that the film is composed merely of a series of stunts. I just showed above how this assertion is inaccurate. But taking this type of criticism as is, I then ask, “So what?” It doesn’t require special glasses to realize that these stunts are well done.”
- Giadreams / themoviemylife.com: “…it’s a good action film that probably won’t have you too mad that the focus is more on the action and stunts than the story.”
- Hannah Wales / The World of Celebrity (3/5): “The script isn’t the most inspired and the backstory is far too thin for my liking, but if you want violent non-stop action starring a hunky Hollywood star with his native Australian accent, Extraction will be right up your street.”
- HCMovieReviews: “…excellent casting alongside the high octane, guns galore action ensure that Extraction is a highlight of recent streaming releases and worth the time of any cinematic action junkie.”
- Holmes Movies: “…is quick to get to the action and thrill the audience but there is not much of personality in the script. It was not a disappointment or an abject failure but again did need some vital substance”
- jmjerva / action-flix.com: “…this without a doubt gets my vote for the best action movie of the year. And if this is the type of action film Netflix is going to be putting out, I feel I’m going to be saying that a lot.”
- Moshfish Reviews: “Despite the fact it seems to be Frankenstein’d from the best parts of various other action media, both Hemsworth and Hooda were compelling and believable action stars, and though the plot is not all that unique, it’s held together with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.”
- Phil The Bear’s Film Reviews: “I had a lot of fun with a film that does not want to be big or clever. It just wants to kill lots of people very violently.”
- Robert Butler III / GEEKS OF COLOR: “Though heavy in bloodshed and light on character development, Extraction is a worthwhile experience for fans of fast-paced gunplay and stunning hand-to-hand combat.”
- rogerinorlando / Movie Nation: “…runs into the same problems any movie that’s on-the-run/fighting-your-way-out faces. It’s wearing, characters get shortchanged and the temptation to take absurd shortcuts in logic just to get us from point A to B is irresistible.”
- Sarah Cartland / Caution Spoilers: “…despite its trope-y frustrations (the cardboard cutout supporting characters, the theme of a white saviour going to Asia and making it mostly about his emotional journey) it’s still well worth a couple of your free lockdown hours”
- Sorabh’s Life Diary: “…a good one time watch & well 2 hours spent during this lockdown.”
- SM / SeleMoir: “If you like brutal action and are okay with its shortcomings in character development, I recommend you watch it. It is an entertaining one-time-watch”
- The DC Review Blog (3.5/5): “Overall, a really impressive movie that also delivered a somewhat ambiguous ending that leaves you as a viewer a little puzzled. In my opinion, a great way of ending a movie of this nature.”
- The Illuminerdi: “Everyone should watch this movie for the sake of enjoying the action scenes, although it offers nothing more.”
- Trailer Trashed: “Action movie fans will eat this one up, and there is enough of an emotionally mature story for it to not just be a movie full of explosions and guys beating each other up.”
Not Recommended
- Arth / Arth Joshi: “…is the kind of a film that has some gibberish in between two explosions.”
- David Ferguson / Movie Reviews From The Dark: “…this is too similar to many movies we’ve seen before, though it serves as a chance for Hemsworth to be something other than Thor.”
- Irfan Nordin / Irfan Reviews (5/10): “Spectacular stunt work and an electric performance from Chris Hemsworth can’t save Extraction from being dragged down by its aimless violence.”
- Moody B / The Cinema Cynic: “It will not win any prizes for originality, but despite the generic and minimal plot, thanks to some superbly staged action sequences and a good leading performance,”
- Scott William Foley: “…is a fast, entertaining action film. It won’t capture your heart or your imagination, but it will certainly thrill, and it will look good while doing it.”
- The Not Left Handed Either Film Guide: “I’m not sure how much Extraction will register in Hemsworth’s career and like Jeremy Renner, he’s not done with Marvel yet so bigger things will follow. There are worse things he could have done after hitting the box office jackpot though”
- What Went Wrong or Right With …? (5/10): “With a better Director of Photography and a much better script, Sam Hargrave may create a better movie but his debut is average at best.”
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