Extraction 2 Review: Hemsworth’s Latest Amplifies Flaws Over Fixes

by Tom June 16, 2023

In the cinematic landscape where sequels are often desperate attempts to cash in on their predecessor’s success, “Extraction 2” seems hell-bent on adhering to the tradition of underwhelming second installments. Despite riding high on the initial wave of “Extraction,” Netflix’s action extravaganza, the sequel tragically falls prey to redundancy and unimaginative storytelling.

Directed by Sam Hargrave, the plot sees our stoic, muscle-bound protagonist Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), emerging from the jaws of death after the events of the first movie. While nursing his wounds in solitude, Rake is coerced back into the battlefield by a cryptic character (Idris Elba) to rescue a woman and her offspring from a Georgian prison. Reuniting with his fellow mercenaries, Rake embarks on a high-octane journey that promises more chaos than coherence.

“Extraction 2” stumbles in its execution, with its cinematography, direction, and editing echoing the adrenaline-fueled chaos of the narrative. The camera oscillates frantically with every movement, creating a visual onslaught that blurs the line between high-action drama and chaotic spectacle. The action, while plentiful, lacks the grace and finesse found in the likes of the “John Wick” series. I’d say it’s aimed more at the Transformers crowd, but somehow that’s even slightly easier to track what’s going on!

The most glaring aspect of the movie, and one that has been the talk of the town, is a 21-minute “oner” or one-shot sequence. Here, Hargrave ambitiously stitches together a prison break, riot, car chase, and rooftop train battle into a single extended shot. However, this audacious feat, drenched in conspicuous digital enhancements, rapidly devolves from a riveting spectacle into an exhausting marathon, which feels more like a technical showing off than a narrative necessity.

The film’s over-reliance on high-voltage action severely hampers character development. The supporting cast, including Hemsworth’s comrades Nik and Yaz, float in the film’s periphery, their characters as elusive as their backstories. Hemsworth’s Rake, despite being a centerpiece, doesn’t fare much better. Donned in a permanent grimace, his character feels one-dimensional and lacks the natural charm Hemsworth is known for. Though Idris Elba has limited screen time, he is a breath of fresh air with his charismatic screen presence.

As once again, the Russo brothers fail to deliver a compelling narrative, fans are stuck watching a movie that is bigger, and louder, but regrettably not better. The constant stream of explosions and gunfire is less an entertaining spectacle and more a testament to the film’s hollow and uninspired core.

“Extraction 2” is a sequel that disappointingly mimics its predecessor’s flaws, sacrificing narrative substance for failed visual spectacle. It suffers from an overabundance of mind-numbing CG action , a lack of character development, and a sense of redundancy that looms over its runtime. Even Hemsworth’s dedicated performance cannot salvage this disarray of overwrought action and weak storytelling. One can only hope future installments, if any, will extract lessons from this misstep and strike a better balance.

RATING: 1 out of 5.0

Extraction 2 is now streaming on Netflix.