Typically, Netflix has been mostly mediocre with their selection of original films. They are very seldom good entertainment and even when some of them become popular such as Bird Box, they still fail to bring quality to your home screen. Now they have gotten the help of Chris Hemsworth and the Russo brothers to aid them with a film in Extraction. Can this film be one of those rare exceptions and actually be an entertaining Netflix feature? It actually can. Extraction is a violent yet thrilling action film that takes you for a wild ride and will hold your attention throughout.
Extraction is a film about an extraction if you were wondering. It takes place in India where one drug cartel kidnaps the rival cartel’s leader’s son and holds him hostage for money. That leader decides to hire Chris Hemsworth and his team of operatives to go in and get his son themselves without having to pay ransom. Of course, what seems like a simple mission begins to present many unexpected obstacles that send our hero on a mission you could classify as suicide. Right away I will tell you that I rather enjoyed this film. It is nothing to call your friends about and sing its praises, but if you want to be entertained for two hours, this is a solid selection. Mostly due to the fact that it was handled by a talented team. The Russo brothers who we know for directing Avengers: Endgame and other Marvel films, were given full control to hire who they chose and make all creative decisions. It was well worth the investment because these guys know what they are doing when it comes to action and character. They know how to display these huge action sequences and still find moments within to develop character.
Sam Hargrave was selected to direct this film as his feature debut. He is known mostly for working stunts on some of the biggest movies today, and you can see that experience transition to his directing. The action is the best part of Extraction by far. Moving the story through the dirt of this city and using the environments to their full capabilities was so thrilling to watch. You can look around in any setting you are in and realize that it might come into play during a fight or a chase. A piece of clothing hanging in the air can break someone’s fall or a rake could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. My favorite choice was they continually showed just how dangerous it is to be standing in the middle of traffic, much less have a fight in one. Having Chris Hemsworth as your star to lead us through this was also a tremendous choice. Outside of his Marvel and Drew Goddard material, he hasn’t had great selections but, in this film, he crushes it. There is a 12-minute-long action oner where he had to do all his own stunts and he takes it like a champ. This guy is the poster boy of a Hollywood star and it is on full display in this film.
Now, this isn’t to say that this film had no flaws. In fact, it committed one of my biggest pet peeves films do. I always hate it when a film opens in the present and we see our main character in peril and then it jumps back in time to two days later, a week later, or whatever. This especially bothers me in an action film when the stakes are high, and everyone is in danger. Why? Because if I see Hemsworth alive and moving at the beginning of the film and then we jump back in time, I know he is going to be fine for the entire film until we catch up. It takes the tension and stakes out of the film. Sure, it can be done right if executed properly like in John Wick, just don’t tell us what is the past and what is the present. It is a lazy story technique that can ruin a film from the get-go. Extraction at least has excellent action and an excellent star to distract us, but it doesn’t take away from the fact this film almost tripped over its shoelaces in the first two minutes.
With all that said, Extraction is certainly a well worth watch. It is not a waste of time and it gives you solid entertainment that you can watch with friends. This one would’ve worked even better in theaters. Chris Hemsworth is only getting better as an actor with every film and director Sam Hargrave showed some serious promise in his feature directorial debut. If you are craving a cinematic experience during this crisis, Extraction is a solid option.
The Verdict