Extracted [2012]

Utterly confused about the title of this movie (it’s either Extraction or Extracted) and its quality I dived in it, expecting nothing. What I got in return was something that seemed really innovative and new, but was actually a really old idea with a twist. It all revolves around a device that allows you to access and immerse yourself into other people memories and experiences, much like the movie Strange Days [1995]. This time we can witness how that device was made and funded, and eventually tested. The clash of the science and real, corrupt and devious world is another thing that I liked about Extracted. Although the hipster assistant was a bit too much. The cast is relatively unknown but they did their job really good. Dominic Bogart (Anthony) stole the show from lead actor Sasha Roiz (Tom), as the drug addicted accused of murdering his girlfriend. This doesn’t mean that Sasha was bad, but just that Dominic was more passionate and realistic. Sasha redeemed himself, either intentionally or unintentionally, by giving his character a dose of douchiness, showing us that not everything is black or white.

Tom and Eric are a couple of scientist working on a machine that would allow them to go into peoples minds and memories. The main purpose of this device is to help autistic and other people with severe psychological and physical disabilities, but as the research starts to reach its critical phase they are forced to take the funding, no matter what obligations it may bring. Through Richard, their middleman, they contact a mysterious stranger who is willing to fund their research. As it turns out the mysterious stranger had some other things in mind when he decided to invest, but one thing remained the same, the test. They meet on a remote farm in the country, and there it all goes as planned, right up ’till the end where Tom is supposed to exit the subjects mind…

The real rating of this movie should be 7 or 8, but I am giving it a 9 to encourage filmmakers and others to follow their example. With a unique script, several overlapping stories which all make you think and look at things from another perspective, Extracted is an example of how science fiction movie with a restricted budget should be made. You start with a very good concept idea, build characters on it, hire the right people to play them and eventually direct the whole thing. A job well done…

Director:Nir Paniry

Writers:  Nir Paniry, Gabriel Cowan, John Suits

Cast: Sasha Roiz, Jenny Mollen, Dominic Bogart, Richard Riehle, Nick Jameson, Rodney Eastman

Fun Facts: The budget was $100,000. During development, the script was rewritten to keep costs down.

Rating:

IMDb Link: IMDb Link