Good Evening, Everyone.

It’s been a while. Did you miss me?

(Say, yes)

I had a chance to watch Netflix’s Extraction 2, and I wanted to share my thoughts. Before we get started, check out the following trailer if you haven’t already.

Directed by Sam Hargrave, Extraction 2 stars Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, and Tornike Gogrichiani.

After surviving a near-death experience, highlighted in the first film, mercenary Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) is living the retirement life when he is approached for another mission: rescue an imprisoned family from a notorious crime lord. Rake and his team, Nik Khan (Farahani) and Yaz Khan (Bessa), reunite and succeed in extracting the family but not without consequences. This garners the attention of the crime lord’s brother, Zurab (Gogrichiani), who takes matters into his own hands, pushing Rake to deadly limits.

In a cinematic culture filled with forced political messaging, it’s refreshing to see a film that focuses on the story and the story alone. Add in expansive cinematography, heightened pacing, an emotionally immersive cast, and brutal fight sequences, and you’ll get an experience like no other. Extraction 2 is all of that and more.

Chris Hemsworth’s spectacular performance as Tyler Rake is similar to that of an 80’s action hero: one with minimal dialogue, who’s righteously violent when called to task. Rake’s objectives were clearly stated in the first act, and each plot beat connected perfectly without interruptions, which is critical in the action-adventure genre. The supporting cast, particularly the main antagonist, also added personality to an otherwise standard rescue mission.

What blew me away, however, was the action sequences. I argued in my first review that this narrative blurred the lines between being a film and a video game, and this sequel continued the trend. The camera movements juxtaposed with the combat and ambient sounds made each action sequence personal, further heightening the tension, similar to a video game.

Director Sam Hargrave did a phenomenal job and raised the bar in modern action films. I look forward to more of his work.

Grade of A

Until Next Time…

(Sources)

Photo Credit: Netflix