Netflix's Extraction Is Over-The-Top, Extreme, And Ultimately Effective With Chris Hemsworth Delivering A Strong Performance

    

      Action movies made by Hollywood are done so with the sole purpose of providing solid popcorn entertainment with a reasonable amount of plot and character development tossed in between the films impressive action and fight sequences. Very rarely do action movies carry scripts that allow for a large dose of substance to be given in regards to the films plot or characters. They also rely on a compelling enough lead actor/actress to carry the film to the level of being reasonably satisfying regardless of whether the script is up to par with the action, or is lacking in substantial plot and character growth. In the case of Netflix's Extraction, the film sticks to the basics with delivering a plot with paper-thin character development and exploration with Thor's Chris Hemsworth being chosen as the Arnold Schwarzenegger macho style action hero of the story. Extraction aims to both entertain and dazzle audiences with its intense action set pieces and fight sequences, while making up for its scripts shortcomings with the strength of its main star in the title role. The end result ends up being a decent (Though not great) action flick, that's self-aware in regards to what it wants to be without misleading its audience. The film is primary about action and suspense with it ultimately delivering well on both ends, along with a strong performance from Chris Hemsworth in the films title role.

Based on a graphic novel titled Ciudad, the plot for Extraction centers around the kidnapping of a Indian drug lords teen son named Ovi (Played by Rudhraksh Jaiswal), prompting a mercenary named Tyler (Played by Chris Hemsworth) to extract the boy. While searching for him, the mercenary discovers that government corruption along with roving gangs and a rogue operative (Played by Randeep Hooda), make the already risky mission more perilous. The plot for Extraction is an ideal one given the type of action film it aspires to be with its synopsis being clear-cut, while allowing the action to be diverse in a vein similar to John Wick style action with scenes regarding the films impressive fights, explosions, and gunfire. For Chris Hemsworth, the script presents him the opportunity to dominate the film with his on-screen action hero persona, along with showing he's more than capable of handling an action flick of this magnitude on his own outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Extraction is a fast-paced yet intensely effective action flick, that leaves little room for the audience to exhale in between the films anxiety-driven yet intense action set-pieces. The films plot is a perfect fit for the type of action flick Extraction aspires to be as it doesn't require large amounts of depth to make it work in regards to fleshing out the characters or story in terms of delivering endless exposition, but presents the audience with enough information to
get a gist for both the characters and plot while diving straight into the action with little to no breaking in between. The action is the films main selling point and while the films violence may come across as feeling a bit excessive or too extreme at times, it works in regards to making the overall experience thoroughly entertaining with Hemsworth's performance elevating both the insane action as well as the films standard story to make it a fast-paced action flick, that's overall satisfying under the right expectations in regards to watching it.

      One of the main elements that was always going to determine whether Extraction would be a successful at executing its action-packed story, is the strength of the star chosen for the films main title role. For the John Wick series, Keanu Reeves proved to be the ideal choice for the main role with him creating a character that was both magnetic and kept audiences invested in his character. With Extraction, Chris Hemsworth proves to be an ideal choice for the films lead with him delivering an electrifying performance as the mercenary extractor Tyler Rake, a former SASR operator turned black ops mercenary. Hemsworth proves most effective at creating a likable and sympathetic main character, who experienced personal tragedy in his life prior to his current mission with him being determined to protect and deliver his asset. While Hemsworth's character doesn't come with a great deal of character depth nor exploration, he manages to make the most of the role given to him and crafts a main character, whose thrilling to watch due to both his combat and fighting skills. He also manages to convey his characters haunted past regarding his own personal tragedy, along with showing his reluctance to get back into the fight at first before using his experience of rescuing Ovi as a form of redemption for his past years of bloodshed (This is highly evident with his characters last stand in the films thrilling climax). Rudhraksh Jaiswal shines as Ovi Mahajan, son of Indian crime lord Ovi Mahajan Sr. Jaiswal manages to play his part well despite moments where the audience gets frustrated with his characters actions in regards to being rescued by Hemsworth's character with him not fully trusting him in the beginning. Jaiswal and Hemsworth both work off each other well while sharing some nice moments together in between the action with their characters becoming connected on a personal level. Golshifteh Farahani proves to be likable as mercenary and partner of Tyler with the audience getting a genuine feeling of her characters fondness and loyalty to Hemsworth's character. Randeep Hooda impresses as Saju Rav, a former Special Forces operator and henchmen for Ovi Mahajan Sr. His character not only has some solid action moments, but works well off Hemsworth performance wise. Priyanshu Painyuli does well playing one of the films main antagonists, Amir Asif, a Bangladeshi crime lord who kidnaps Ovi. Painyuli's character has some solidly intense moments with him intimidating and controlling his younger servants into committing his evil deeds. Other notable performances are Stranger Things David Harbor in a minimal yet effective role as former teammate of Tyler named Gasper with Pankaj Tripathi also being effective as Ovi Mahajan Sr, the incarcerated Indian crime lord and father of Ovi, and Sam Hargrove as mercenary and partner of Tyler named Gaetan. An action flick like Extraction relies on the believability and strength of its main ensemble cast in terms of bringing both it's action and story to life in a way that audiences find to be ultimately convincing. Here, that seems to very much be the case as everyone does solid jobs with the roles given to them, even if most are overshadowed by Hemsworth's characters dominance in the story. If it wasn't for the fact that he ends up being a strong leading character in the story, the film wouldn't work as well as it ultimately does. Chris Hemsworth's performance as well as the films kinetic action, are the lifeline of the film and manage to help to make up for the scripts shortcomings where character development and plot exposition fall on the side of being light.

      Directed by Sam Hargove in his feature film debut, he does a solid job of dropping the audience right into the center of the action as evidenced by the films opening sequence. Originally a stuntman who performed numerous stunts for films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hargrove impresses with his directorial debut with most of his praise being directed towards the films intense action sequences, that feel fast and come with a great deal of kinetic energy behind them. The action serves as being the films main selling point with Hargrove giving the audience what they want in terms of delivering the goods. He takes a clear cue from the John Wick series with long fight scenes that are drawn out, yet are brilliantly put together with impressive fight choreography. The films main action highlight is a 12-minute sequence featuring Hemsworth's character fleeing the antagonists with Ovi that's genuinely thrilling to watch. Hargrove keeps the action rampant and lean with the heavy use of it suiting the style of the film given its story. The films quieter and emotional moments are minimal but well-reserved throughout the story with Hargrove making those moments count, particularly the scenes where Tyler and Ovi both get to know as well as grow a mutual understanding and respect for each other. He also does well with keeping the films narrative structure focused with the story being pretty straight-forward for audiences to understand with moments of brutality enhancing the shock value of the plot. Hargrove creates a brutal world that surrounds the main characters with the deaths being gruesome when they appear, including moments where young children are being thrown off rooftops and choosing to cut off their own fingers in appeasing their masters with then being used as child soldiers. The films sound effects and cinematography are both top notch with the films action and explosions being loud and impactful when they happen along with the films visual look being appealing while capturing some great action/fight sequences. The cinematography gives the film a feeling that it feels like one long and continuous shot of action and mayhem that's endless. The films signature moment that showcases its brilliant cinematography is the 12-minute-long action sequence that consists of multiple car chases, car pile ups, hand-to-hand combats involving Hemsworth character and the films baddies, characters running through tenements along with them both leaping and falling off rooftops. Hargrove takes the action in the story to the most extreme with the films editing being both tightly-paced and brisk. With Extraction, Sam Hargrove keeps both the action and story moving continuously without much time for the audience to rest in between the films key set-pieces. In terms of directing, he proves to rise to the occasion in regards to giving audiences an adrenaline-induced rollercoaster ride of thrills and suspense, that makes for a great Friday evening Popcorn flick.

      Written by Joe Russo who helped co-write Avengers: Endgame, Russo creates a serviceable action script that focuses primarily on the action aspect of the story while giving just enough character depth to get audiences connected with Hemsworth's character. None of the films script manages to be groundbreaking work, but it gets the job done in regards to delivering a scenario to audiences that's both exciting and believable. For an action film like Extraction, audiences don't typically expect this type of film to have deep character and plot exploration as the plot is mainly designed to deliver one intense action sequence after another. The moments where the audience gets room to breathe consist of ones in which Tyler and Ovi interact or share emotional moments such as Tyler reflecting on the loss of his son which results in either a tearful recollection or him jumping into the water and sitting at the bottom of the ocean reflecting on his child. While Russo delivers audiences a protagonist with emotional baggage that leaves him scared, it's not enough to make audiences ponder about his characters loss long after the film ends but works well just enough to show his motivation for refusing to take the mission to save Ovi at first then becoming more selfless in his efforts to protect and save him. The films antagonists serve as being typical generic baddies in a story like Extraction with not a great deal of character development behind them other than a few moments shown to remind audiences of how evil they are with the hope that they'll receive their just demise at the hands of Hemsworth's character. The films message ultimately says that redemption is possible when one has a moral code they abide by despite their actions with the film emphasizing that through Hemsworth's character arc. In regards to writing a script that covers themes regarding greed, power, corruption, and bravery, Extraction does a reasonably solid job of covering all of those themes with a script that fulfills the basic functions of making for a decent action movie.

      Overall Extraction works as being a fairly entertaining and exciting action flick that's well-filmed in regards to its action sequences, and can be fully enjoyed if one goes in appreciating the heavy amount of action that the film presents. Whereas the plot offers very little in regards to creativity, the performances and well-executed action scenes are reason enough to recommend this film to action movie fans. If one views the film as being an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride, they'll find Extraction to be a genuinely satisfying experience that serves up the best form of popcorn entertainment. With a sequel being in development due to the surprise success of this film with it being one of the biggest Netflix movie debuts ever in regards to viewership, one hopes that the filmmakers expand on both the characters as well as the story for the next round. Extraction is an action flick that's made with the sole purpose of entertaining its audience to the fullest extinct, and it manages to do just that with the positive elements outweighing the negative ones overall. It's no John Wick but it possesses the style and energy of those films in regards to delivering their action to make this one ultimately worthwhile for action fans.

Final Verdict: For action movie fans as well as fans of Chris Hemsworth, Extraction is a fast-paced and exciting thrill ride that delivers on its promise to give audiences an intense and satisfying action-packed experience.