Extraction 2

2023 is shaping up to be one of the best years for action in a long time. 

Not only do you have the "fringe" candidates like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Fast X, or even Across the Spider-Verse for that matter, but then you have outright throw-the-gauntlet entries like John Wick: Chapter 4 and almost-certainly the upcoming Mission: Impossible. 

Extraction 2 is a worth entry too, the Netflix sequel to the 2020 intense film on the same platform. The original was a solid actioner with an average, cliché story that featured an extended "one take" sequence which was breathtaking and elevated the entire film. Extraction 2 is basically more of the same, though I felt the overall package was better. The CGI is less noticeable, the story feels ever so slightly better, and our heroes fleshed out just a tad more (either that or I've bought into the cliché by now). Hemsworth packs a punch, quite literally, and is a force in the role of Tyler Rake, even if we still seem to be at arms length from this character overall. 

In the spirit of the first film, the focus here is the action. And in that regard, Extraction 2 delivers. No, it's not John Wick, but that doesn't mean it can't be impressive in its own right. Taking a cue from the first film, this series - directed by ex-stuntman Sam Hargrave - has "extended takes" as its bread and butter. The sequel doesn't disappoint, with an eye-watering, butt-glued-to-seat 21 minute extended take escape from a prison cell. This bloody, violent extravaganza is one of the best scenes of the year, taking us all the way from the jail cell to a f**king escaping train! It's so impressive and entertaining, that it sucks some energy away from the remainder of the movie, that never attempts to do an "extended take" again. The action in the back half is good, but unfortunately can't hold a candle to the main sequence, and it's a bit weird to me that there was no attempt to put a second (perhaps smaller) extended take portion near the finale. 2 extended takes for Extraction 2, ya know? Regardless, the extended sequence, much like the first film, is worth the "price" of admission alone and bolsters the overall impact. 

A fairly obvious Extraction 3 may have to wait because of Hemsworth's break from acting, but in the meantime I hope they lean into what really works in this series (*cough extended takes cough cough*), crafting a story that breathes a little more life into these characters. That's what John Wick did - and expanded its lore - to great success, and I see that potential for Extraction, particularly if it can be known as the actioner full of extended sequences. 

Rapid Rath's Review Score | 8/10