Extraction (2020) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a black market mercenary, must protect Ovi Mahajan (Rudhraksh Jaiswal). Ovi also happens to be the son of a ruthless Mumbai crime lord.

Review:

Chris Hemsworth’s career reached mainstream audiences as Marvel’s God of Thunder, Thor, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Being in the MCU gave the Australian actor several successful box-office successes.

Director Sam Hargrave sought to use Hemsworth’s ability as an action star in Extraction.

As expected, Extraction had a much lower budget compared to Marvel Studios’ superhero entries.

Despite this, Extraction achieves practical stunt work, with brutal and efficient action sequences.

Each action sequence in Extraction is careful and precise. As a result, it never loses sight of the actors involved.

Due to his sheer size and stature, Hemsworth is believable as the main protagonist, Tyler Rake.

With each action sequence, he dispatches his foes with lethal precision.

Action sequences involve several high-octane vehicle chases, gunfights, hand-to-hand sequences, and on-foot chases.

Alex Belcher and Henry Jackman’s music score also provides further intensity. This is despite not having much prominence in the film as a whole.

As mentioned, each one hits with force. This could be a bullet whizzing by or the use of environmental takedowns.

Whichever one it might be, Extraction’s action sequences are a highlight. Extraction's visuals are also a standout.

Extraction contains several eye-catching vista shots depicting the central film location, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Each shot showcases the city’s slums, forests, crowded streets, and sun-drenched rivers. It does so by using wide angles.

Extraction does encounter structural issues and a lack of development for certain characters.

As a character, Hemsworth’s Tyler Rake provides hints of development. Take the scene where he mentions his family as an example.

Outside of this, though, not much more development is present. Despite this, Chris’s performance is good nonetheless.

Extraction’s secondary character, Ovi Mahajan, has even less development. This is despite a somewhat competent performance by Rudhraksh Jaiswal.

Scenes with him also contribute to the film’s slow pacing during its middle section.

Randeep Hooda's former special forces soldier character, Saju Rav, acts as a secondary character in the film.

Hooda’s character receives a reasonable amount of development. This is also present in the actor’s capable performance during the action sequences.

One of Tyler Rake's allies is Golshifteh Farahani's Nik Khan. Extraction's primary antagonist is the drug lord Amir Asif, portrayed by Priyanshu Painyuli.

Farahani, despite playing a supporting character, is competent in her role as Nik Khan.

Priyanshu Painyuli has little material to showcase his character, Amir Asif.

Despite some ruthlessness, Painyuli’s Amir does little else of importance. This makes him a somewhat disappointing antagonist as a whole.

Conclusion:

To conclude, Extraction is at its most competent when it focuses on its action sequences.

Each one has a distinct style. These are also backed by brutal choreography and precise camera techniques. They're filmed this way to avoid disorienting the viewer.

Chris Hemsworth’s performance in these sequences is also a highlight. Extraction showcases the actor’s versatility as an action star very well.

This film also has a vibrant visual style. Each of these is on display to showcase Bangladesh’s varied locations.

What the film can struggle with, though, is basic character motives and structure.

Extraction’s pacing, for example, does falter during the middle of the film. This is due to its methodical dialogue approach.

Extraction’s antagonist Amir Asif (Priyanshu Painyuli) is inactive for most of the film’s plot. This gives the actor little material to make his character stand out.

Rudhraksh Jaiswal gives a competent performance as Ovi Mahajan. Despite this, his character falters due to a lack of proper development.

Golshifteh Farahani’s Nik Khan and Randeep Hooda’s Saju Rav are more consistent in their portrayals.

As stated, Extraction offers the most entertainment during its action sequences. This also includes its visuals.

Also, Alex Belcher and Henry Jackman’s above-average score complements the action.

Extraction is a film with underdeveloped characters and a script. Despite these flaws, it can entertain with its thrilling action.

For fans seeking an above-average action thriller, Extraction should more than suffice.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 6.5/10

Story - 6.5/10

Action - 8/10

Visuals - 8/10

Soundtrack - 6.5/10

Overall score: 7.1 out of 10