Extraction II

The first 45 minutes are spectacular. I was having constant goosebumps for 20 minutes straight. I was in total awe; I couldn't avoid smiling. You will not witness much better stunts and choreography (it is arguably better than that of the John Wick trilogy).

What's most impressive is the camerawork. There is a 20-minute sequence without any visible cuts that is so immersive. You will be blown away by the impressive technological achievement this crew has achieved. I could hardly believe what I was watching; helicopters landing on moving trains and cameras going in and out of windows have never been easier to follow. This is not a gimmick; it's a highly efficient tool used to make the movie highly intriguing.

The rest of the movie does sadly not live up to what the first act had to offer. It goes from an action masterpiece to another generic action-thriller by Netflix. It should honestly have ended after 50 minutes. There is no way you could top what we've just seen. The story doesn't justify the action. They are fighting -- but why? They go back and forth between each other, and at one point it gets tiresome. Just finish it up already.

Overall, a movie worth your time with some spectacular action. Don't go into this expecting a movie with substance, but rather an entertaining movie. Can't a movie be nothing more than entertaining at times? Sometimes that's enough. Good writing is however important to make the breathtaking action mean something.

As a sequel to the widely successful and action-packed film Extraction (2020), Extraction 2 (2023) had big shoes to fill. With expectations running high, the film delivers on the action front but unfortunately falls short when it comes to storytelling and character development.

Directed by Sam Hargrave, Extraction 2 once again stars Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake, the fearless and skilled mercenary ready to take on another high-stakes and deadly mission. While the action sequences are undeniably thrilling, showcasing Hemsworth's physical prowess and commitment to performing his own stunts, the film often feels flat and emotionally distant when the bullets stop flying.

The first half of the movie offers a relentless adrenaline rush, featuring tightly choreographed fight scenes, exhilarating chase sequences, and jaw-dropping explosions that seem to have upped the stake from its predecessor. Hargrave proves his expertise in coordinating and executing large-scale action set-pieces, making for an edge-of-your-seat experience.

However, the movie falters in its quieter moments, when the audience is left with a shallow and underdeveloped plotline. The script, penned by Joe Russo, fails to provide any significant character arcs or meaningful relationships for Tyler Rake to navigate, leaving Hemsworth with little to work with beyond his physicality. As a result, the audience is left with a sense of detachment from the central character and his motivations, making it difficult to invest emotionally in the story.

Additionally, the film's supporting characters, played by a talented ensemble cast including David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani, and newcomer Aanya Pandey, are largely underutilized. Despite their strong performances, their characters are reduced to mere plot devices, lacking any depth or complexity that could have added more layers to the narrative.

In terms of cinematography, Extraction 2 boasts visually captivating and immersive shots of its international locations. However, the film's overall tone feels uneven, as the grittiness and realism of the action sequences are often undermined by moments of forced humor that feel out of place and disrupt the movie's pacing.

Ultimately, Extraction 2 serves up a feast of high-octane action that fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate. However, the lack of depth in storytelling and character development prevents the film from reaching its full potential as a truly engaging and memorable experience. It's a thrilling ride, but one that leaves you feeling empty once the dust settles.

As usual, the fights are over the top (body armor may stop bullets, but the kinetic energy is still hammering into the body in real life). But I found the plot, the motives, the backstory all much more interesting in this movie than the first one. Also liked Idris Elba's appearance. As seems to be the norm for this sort of movie, we got to see a variety of exotic firearms, from AKs with no stock to M240s and M249s to RPGs, PDWs, mini-guns, sniper weapons, etc. Also as usual, the weapons have extraordinary effect (not sure how you could get 40mm grenades to explode that close to the weapon that fired them) although hand-grenade explosions do seem to be close to accurate (the RPGs fly more like AT-4s though - RPGs don't really fire that accurately). Lots of bangs, lots of bashing, lots of knives (and axes and shovels and pitchforks), lots of shooting... but the plot actually has a start and a finish (and an opportunity for another one).

Extraction 2 is an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the film delves deeper into the life of Tyler Rake, portrayed brilliantly by Chris Hemsworth, as he embarks on another high-stakes mission.

The action sequences in Extraction 2 are a sight to behold, featuring jaw-dropping stunts and intense combat sequences. The choreography is top-notch, with every fight scene delivering a visceral and gritty experience. Hemsworth's physicality and on-screen presence make him the perfect fit for the role of Tyler Rake, bringing both vulnerability and ferocity to the character.

The film also introduces new characters who add depth and intrigue to the narrative. Randeep Hooda delivers a standout performance as Saju, a conflicted ally caught in the crossfire. His chemistry with Hemsworth adds emotional weight to their interactions, creating memorable moments throughout the film.

Director Sam Hargrave skillfully blends heart-pounding action with quieter character-driven moments, giving the audience a chance to connect with the protagonists on a deeper level. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the gritty atmosphere and stunning locales with precision.

However, Extraction 2 falls slightly short in terms of plot development. While the action is exhilarating, the storyline feels somewhat predictable and lacks the element of surprise. Additionally, certain character arcs could have been explored further to enhance the overall depth of the narrative.

Despite these minor shortcomings, Extraction 2 is a solid action-packed sequel that delivers on its promises. With Hemsworth's powerhouse performance and Hargrave's expert direction, this film is a must-watch for action enthusiasts. Buckle up and prepare for a wild ride that will leave you craving for more.

'Extraction 2' is the kind of movie I call a "time-killer". Say you have 2 hours until a dinner you're looking forward to and you want the time to pass quickly, you put on 'Extraction 2' and before you know it it's time for dinner. You then proceed to never think about the film again for the rest of your life, because there is absolutely nothing memorable about it. There's no problem with these types of movies, we need them. But you can't get angry at people finding them instantly forgettable. There's no true emotional depth to them, try as they may.

It is worth noting that there is an incredible "single-take" scene early in this film that was done phenomenally well. The work that must've gone into pulling it off, I can't even imagine. It's the highlight of the movie by a comfortable margin. The only problem I find with these scenes is that it takes me about 6 minutes to click onto the fact I'm watching a "single-take".

The film has a decent villain and the pacing is pretty good. It's an above average action movie and worth your time for sure if this is your kind of thing. 7/10.