Stylish and fast-paced, Extraction is exactly the action movie you need to take your mind off things. Starring Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, it’s based on a graphic novel Ciudad which explains the visual style. I loved the exotic setting that really brought home the visceral atmosphere and frantic pace. We’ll be following our homeboy through bustling Indian streets full of life as he’s trying to escape the endless supply of enemies. The entire movie plays like a B movie from the eighties or nineties but done extremely well.
The action sequences were very entertaining and engaging with one lasting an incredible 11 minutes. The kill count is huge and we’re approaching Rambo and John Wick levels here. Extraction also has a military vibe similar to Black Hawk Down or more recent releases like Lone Survivor and 13 Hours. Only with that sleek sepia filter slapped on top. Sam Hargrave, stunt coordinator turned director, really knew how to set up and execute fight sequences, especially in closed environments. And don’t get me started on glorious car chases. It feels like we’re going through different video games, from Battlefield to GTA 5. This movie has everything an action movie fan would want.
Meet Tyler Rake, a mercenary who just accepted another in a long line of dangerous and almost suicidal missions. He must rescue Ovi, a son of an infamous Indian drug lord who’s been kidnapped. Held at gunpoint in a secure location, this won’t be an easy job for Rake. But he always finds a way, usually bloody and violent, but he damn well finds it…
Bloody and vicious with a lot of broken bones and brutal executions, Extraction unashamedly revels in violence. In a time when studios are trying to push as little violence as possible to get the lowest possible rating and highest possible profits, this a welcomed change. Just like the testosterone-filled bullet-fests of the eighties and nineties, this movie has one objective: to keep your eyes peeled to the screen. All this makes us forget the cliched and heard a thousand times before story and just go along with it. If you’re looking for more non-stop action movies I recommend you check out The Raid, Free Fire, Crank, Dredd, Shoot ’em up, Banlieue 13 and Hardcore Henry. Enjoy.
Director: Sam Hargrave
Writers: Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, Rob Collins, David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani
Fun Facts: According to director Sam Hargrave, the 11 minute and 29 second continuous one-take shot is made up of 36 different stitched sequences. Some of those sequences took 25 takes in order to line up correctly.
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IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8936646/
