By Matthew Essary (Twitter: @WheelsCritic)
There has been a shift in western action filmmaking since JOHN WICK became a sleeper hit in 2014. Now more and more action films produced, outside of Asia, are following the example that the successful Keanu Reeves-led franchise set and letting stunt people move into the director’s chair to shepherd not just the action sequences but the entire production through to completion.
The latest example of this is EXTRACTION, which had it’s worldwide debut on the Netflix streaming platform this past April 24th. The film is directed by Sam Hargrave, who was the stunt coordinator on all of the Russo Brothers’ MCU productions, like the record-shattering AVENGERS: ENDGAME. This successful relationship led to Joe and Anthony Russo having Hargrave direct the film from a script by Joe (based on a graphic novel by Ande Parks) they would also produce.
EXTRACTION stars Chris Hemsworth (THOR: RAGNAROK) as “Tyler Rake” a mercenary who has been tasked with rescuing Ovi Mahajan, the young son of a drug kingpin, who was kidnapped by one of his father’s powerful rivals. It isn’t long before Tyler has the boy and they begin the long journey back to safety through a city that has been locked down by the kidnappers and the corrupt military squads they control. Adding to their difficulties, Ovid’s father has sent his own men, led by the boy’s original bodyguard, Saju played by Bollywood character actor Randeep Hooda (BAAGHI 2), to eliminate Tyler so they can avoid paying him for the successful rescue mission.
This setup basically allows the film to be a series of escalating action sequences that Hargrave and his stunt and effects teams use to show off the full range of their talents, and it is without a doubt impressive. The film’s action ranges from Michael Mann-esque tactical shootouts to expertly crafted car chases, and brutal yet beautifully choreographed fight sequences. There is a lengthy section in the middle of the film that combines all three of those elements using minimal, seamless editing that has you following along with Travis and Ovid in real-time as they have to battle their way past a section of the city that ultimately culminates in a stellar knife fight between Hemsworth and Hooda that left me breathless with its audacity and craft. Simply put, EXTRACTION is top-notch action filmmaking. It’s a shame that these jaw-dropping sequences can’t be enjoyed on the largest movie theater screen possible but that is made up for by the fact that you are free to rewind them, absorb them, and marvel at them at your leisure.
Great action won’t land with the same force if there is no emotional investment though and this is where the film truly surprises. All the main characters have nuance to them. A character like Hemsworth’s Tyler Rake, for example could have easily been a one-dimensional “man of action“ but the script takes moments to slow down and let you see the emotionally wounded person beneath his stoic exterior and the bond he forms with gifted young actor Rudhraksh Jaiswal‘s Ovid is completely believable and satisfying. Hemsworth has struggled to find leading roles, outside of the Marvel films, that show what a talented, charismatic lead he is. EXTRACTION is the kind of showcase role that he has needed and will hopefully cement his status as a Hollywood “A-list” talent.
Sandeep Hooda’s portrayal of Saju also benefits from this surprising attempt at depth. He has his own very relatable reasons for why he is involved with the story and before long you realize that he is not meant to simply be cannon fodder for Hemsworth’s “one man army” but rather a character on equal footing with the star. Hooda, who has long been an unsung character actor in the Bollywood film scene, nails everything the script asks of him whether it’s to be a believable “man of action” himself or to bring real humanity and warmth to his character. If there is any justice in the world, Hooda will be the breakout star from this film and go on to even more high-profile roles. He is that good here. Add these nuanced characters to strong supporting turns from David Harbour (HBO’s STRANGER THINGS), Priyanshu Painyuli (BHAVESH JOSHI SUPERHERO), plus Golshifteh Farahani (PATERSON) and you have a film that will easily hold your attention in the few scenes where action isn’t the main focus.
It’s clear that everyone involved with the production of EXTRACTION wanted this to be a calling card to the rest of the film industry to show what they were capable of. Some will dismiss the film as all sound and fury and if you aren’t really paying attention to it, a hazard of having a film debut solely in the streaming realm, it’s almost understandable. For those that are willing to really sit down and engage with the film though, EXTRACTION is an exceptional action experience. (4/5)
To find out where this film is available to stream, click here: Just Watch