Should you watch ‘Extraction 2’ on Netflix? Review of The Return of Chris Hemworth

Image: Netflix

The long-awaited sequel to the hit action movie Extraction, Extraction 2, is now streaming, but should you watch it?

While spring 2020 wasn’t the greatest time for humanity or Hollywood, one of the rare bright spots in our home isolation choices (besides learning how to bake bread, apparently) was the explosive action flick, Extraction. , starring “Thor” himself. Chris Hemsworth as intrepid black market mercenary Tyler Rake who rescues the kidnapped son of an imprisoned drug lord during a war between rival operations.

Blending compelling elements from MCU legacy films, Extraction tapped into the names of Hemsworth and the Russo brothers (Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame) along with impressive stunt work from director Sam Hargrave (Captain America: Civil War, Infinity War/Endgame) to attract 99 million Netflix viewers to watch it in the first four weeks of its release.

Despite the ending of the first film teasing a possible sequel, audiences couldn’t be sure that he would have more adventures with Tyler Rake. Netflix wasted little time, however, as reports that Joe Russo had been hired to write the next film in the fledgling franchise came just weeks after the first film’s impressive debut on the platform.

While I’m a fan of the first movie, I’d admit that the story elements and Tyler Rake’s character arc weren’t the pieces that ultimately made it a hit. The impressive visuals and relentless fight choreography outweighed the lackluster villains and lukewarm connections between the characters.
In fact, the only thing that works to propel the first film through the story is Tyler Rake’s basic character traits of grief, depression, and an unlimited need to protect children at all costs.

Based on how the story of Extraction 2 turned out, I think its creators realized that as well and that’s a very, very good thing.

Director Sam Hargrave and screenwriter Joe Russo could have done what many filmmakers do with their sequels and fleshed out the same plan with bigger budgets, fancier stunts, and an even smaller plot as if to say “we know why you’re here.” And here it is.”

While it has more money and more firepower, Extraction 2 also has more heart and deeper connections that serve to raise the stakes of its ultraviolent buffet. To put it plainly as the voiceover from a 1990s movie trailer, Tyler Rake is back…and this time, it’s personal.

The man with a death wish from the first film has survived the unthinkable and finds purpose in the form of a new assignment requested by the only person left in his life in whom he has something to prove: his ex-wife Mia (played by Olga Kurylenko) whom she left to care for her son in the final days of her battle with lymphoma.

In the name of honor and redemption, we follow Rake and his team as they take over the head of a vicious crime family to save Mia’s sister and her children from their control.

Image: Netflix

Combining action movie staples like father/son relationships, revenge narratives, and ending cycles of violence with Rake’s aforementioned motives lends itself to a far more compelling story than its predecessor. It’s also very, very useful if you blow up multiple helicopters or stab a bad guy with a pitchfork while doing it. Take notes, Hollywood action movie writers!

And, yes, I realize I’ve been babbling about the story when the chaotic, non-stop action sequences are what really stand out.

The only hard part is picking your favorite at this point. Is it the daring escape from a Georgian prison during a full-scale riot? How about hand-to-hand combat in the glass ceiling of a safe house in Vienna? Did I mention flying a bunch of helicopters? You really can’t go wrong, as Hargrave really puts his talents as a former elite stunt coordinator to excellent use.

Image: Netflix

In general, Extraction 2 it does a great job of knowing what its audience wants while giving them a story that its central character and burgeoning franchise hope they desperately need. Hemsworth has found a suitable path forward, as his role in the MCU may be dwindling and Hargrave is increasingly seen as a directorial success, taking his place among his former stunt-turned-director team as Chad. Stahelski (john wick) and David Leitch (Deadpool 2, Bullet train)

Watch Extraction 2 on Netflix if you want

• Extraction
• The raid franchise
• 24
• Rambo franchise

Extraction 2 MVP

CHRIS HEMSWORTH as TYLER RAKE

out of his role as thor In the MCU, it’s hard to pin down what kind of roles or movies Hemsworth is the best fit for.

No matter how often you try for a more comedic role (Ghostbusters, Holidays, Men in Black: International), Hollywood wants to bring it back to stunt-heavy action movies. With Extractionit proved that it can do all the physical and tactical scenes necessary to stay in the genre.

With Extraction 2, it brings that added bonus of effective dramatic range when needed. Sam Hargrave and the Russos are building Tyler Rake up with each installment, it seems, and Hemsworth is not only up for the challenge, but proves that no one in Hollywood right now could do what he does here.

PLAY, PAUSE OR STOP?

PLAY.

Sam Hargrave and Chris Hemsworth have something going on with this franchise that suddenly has real potential for multiple sequels.