Extraction Review: “Entertainment sans Content!”

Action films are designed, structured, and executed in the manner that they provide mindless entertainment through and through, and more often than not, they compromise on the narrative side of things. Multiple movies of the action genre offer a confined plot to explore, with no weight behind a character, and you easily predict the entire storyline within the first half-hour of the film. Extraction Netflix Extraction Review

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Most of the films, excluding a few, tag along with an already available template with a choice of improvising the screenplay to make it more engaging. Extraction, directed by debutant Sam Hargrave and starring Chris Hemsworth in the lead role, unfortunately, falls in the same category, following the template of several action films already available.

Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is hired on a mission, to extract Ovi Mahajan (Rudhrakash Jaiswal), the kidnapped son of an Indian Drug lord, held in captive by a gangster from Bangladesh. Subsequently, as things fly off the handle, and with an armed professional behind his back, the remainder of the movie explores how Tyler manages to protect this boy’s life while hanging on a suicide mission that manages to get deadlier every single second.

Well, anyone with a tiny bit of imagination, could have guessed the plot from the promos, as the movie had nothing exciting to offer. It is based on the graphic novel – “CIUDAD” by Ande Parks, and the story by the prolific Joe Russo and Ande Parks himself. With the mastermind behind the Avengers: Infinity War and End Game penning the screenplay, it was racy from the get-go, wasting no time in establishing the characters or the story, it was as quick as reloading an M16.

On the other hand, the movie also offered one of the finest stunt scenes in the recent past. The action sequences keep you engaged until the very end with some intense acting performances by Chris Hemsworth, who stood out throughout the film.

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But the profound action scenes nor the powerful performance from Hemsworth didn’t help in overshadowing the conventional plot. Like I already mentioned, Extraction follows the same template utilized in any regular action film. A protagonist, an antagonist, and something to fight over. At least, I’m happy that they went all-guns-blazing on the action side of things, otherwise, the entire movie would have been bland and boring.

Moving on, Extraction was tightly packed from the very beginning and managed to keep me compelled without using the pause button. Thanks to Chris Hemsworth as he made me overlook the lack of story and made the film watchable for the most part. Rudhrakash Jaiswal as Ovi Mahajan had nothing new to offer, as he was typically running behind Chris Hemsworth from start to finish. Randeep Hooda performed his part decently. And even the remainder of the cast had less overall screen time as the whole film was focused on Hemsworth and Rudhrakash’s survival.

Technically, the film produced splendid cinematic shots, well-coordinated stunts and an amazing background score to maintain the excitement of the film. Newton Thomson Nigel’s camera work amazes us by capturing the streets of Bangladesh stunningly, and the stunt scenes, especially the continuous shots during the fight sequences were highly enjoyable. Director Sam Hargrave, who was earlier the stunt coordinator for several films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe including Captain America: Civil War and End Game, made sure the film sticks true to its action genre and hasn’t compromised on his execution, making it a truly an “action” film.

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With that being said, Extraction will be remembered as a well-made action film with commendable performances but with minimal content to offer on the narrative side of things. I will not complain much as it did offer vigorous action and the needed entertainment which the audience would expect from these big blockbuster films. If you love some extreme action and the adrenaline rush, and wouldn’t mind the skinny plot, then Extraction is a must-watch for you. Watch ‘Extraction’ on Netflix here.

 

Rating – 3/5 | Grade – B

Images via Netflix

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