Kick some more ass Hemsworth.
The first “Extraction” was a fun made-for-Netflix action movie, because of the likability and convictions of Chris Hesmworth as the Australian SAS operator turned black ops mercenary Tyler Wake. It was one of the many movies we watched at home during the pandemic, and it kept us entertained.
Now, we have the sequel “Extraction 2,” which I was a bit skeptical about because of how last year I had to deal with the bombastic nature of “The Grey Man,” and both these films were produced by the brilliant Russo brothers. However, “Extraction 2” proves to be a lot more than that piece of crap will ever be, kudos to writer Joe Russo and director Sam Hargrave, who both combine edge-of-your-seat action and truthful moments, even if at times it gets convoluted.
Barely surviving the previous events, Tyler goes into temporary retirement, and he still regrets leaving his ex-wife Mia (Olga Kurylenko) and son behind to fight. However, he comes out of it when a stranger (Idris Elba) informs him that a Georgian mother named Ketevan (Tinatin Dalakishvili) and her children are in danger from her gangster husband and his organization known as Nagazi. They’re all in prison for their protection, and he agrees to break them out, when he finds out she’s his ex-wife’s sister.
During the extraction scene, you get fight and chase sequences, edited to make it look like it was filmed in one shot, reminding us of how Sam Mendes pulled that trick off tremendously well in “1917.” This is when Tyler must kill the gangster and any of his associates who stand in their way. And plus, I love the way Ketevan gets revenge on her pig husband. Even in that country, she still values herself as a woman and a mother.
The oldest son Sandro (Andro Jafaridze) wishes to follow in his follow in his father’s footsteps, and is mad that Tyler had to kill him. Up to the point of him making contact with the bad guys-particularly the gangster’s brother (Tornike Gogrichiani)-who are now able to track Tyler, his team-siblings Nik (Golshifteh Farahani) and Yaz Kahn (Adam Bessa)-and the family they must protect.
I give both “Extraction” movie three stars, because while parts of their story are difficult for me to understand, I still enjoy the thrills and leading man, who is generous enough to give screen credit for his co-stars. In this “Extraction 2,” Hemsworth continues to use his attitude and heroism to bring out the best qualities of Tyler, while regretting his past voices. And you have some memorable work from Farahani, Bessa, Kurylenko, Dalakishvili, and Gogrichianiand, who all know how to play supporting characters written by a Russo and produced by the Russo brothers. I’m saying this to shove “The Grey Man” in its face.
Reminder, we all saw “Extraction” on our computers or TVs, during the pandemic, and I saw “Extraction 2” at the Paris Theater in NYC. I think this movie works better in a movie theater, because I was literally at the edge of my seat and I can sense the sequel’s ambition. And plus, it knows how to real you into the hero’s life and troubles.
The sign outside the theater said: “Chris Hemsworth Extract Me Please.” And I said on Instagram: “Oh you know I will.”
Streaming on Netflix and Playing in Select Theaters
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