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Chris Hemsworth leads the best action movie you won’t see on the big screen this summer.

PLOT: After barely surviving the events of the first movie, Rake is back as the Australian black ops mercenary, tasked with another deadly mission: rescuing the battered family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from the prison where they are being held.

REVIEW: When Extraction made its debut right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the action extravaganza we needed to pull us out of the pandemic funk. It was the most popular Netflix original of the time, with 99 million views within its first four weeks. The next chapter, which was released three years ago, is a sequel that equals the action of the original movie, while expanding the universe in preparation for Extraction 3, and beyond. The first Extraction ended with Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), who suffered a series of fatal gunshots including a bullet to the neck before falling from a bridge and into the water below. Ovi (Rudhraksh Jassiwal) saw a blurry figure in the distance just before the credits rolled. We assumed it was Tyler but the beginning of Extraction shows us what led Nik (Golshifteh Farahani), and Yaz, (Adam Bessa), to rescue their compatriot. Tyler’s recovery is a long and difficult journey that takes him from Dubai to the mountains of Germany where he retires. Tyler is enlisted by the mysterious Alcott, played by Idris Elba, to undertake a mission that only he could accomplish. Tyler, Nik, and Yaz reunite after the training montage to free Mia and her children in the Georgian prison. This sequence rivals that of the first

Extraction and franchises such as The Fast Saga and John Wick. Constructed in a 25-minute take, Extraction 2,

pumps up the adrenaline in a sequence which goes from a prison to a high speed road chase to an attack aboard a moving rail car. Chris Hemsworth performed most of the stunts in this sequence and Extraction 2, and it showed. Practical effects were used over CGI in the majority of the film, which helped make each moment more tangible than most modern action movies. The first act of the film had me on the edge, and the director Sam Hargrave didn’t let up. This movie is filled with action, but also has quieter moments between the gunfights. This is a more emotional film than the first Extraction as we gain insight into the death of Tyler’s son and how it affected his marriage and outlook on the world.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU-iFp8SHhQA big change from the first film is the size of the supporting cast. Tyler is no longer spending a lot of time with one person. He now has a large group of people around him. Golshifteh Farajani and Adam Bessa are more involved in this sequel. Both actors are involved in the bulk action. The dynamic between Tyler, Nik and Hemsworth is further developed in this sequel. Hemsworth’s chemistry with Farahani creates a dynamic duo. The villain is a huge improvement over the menacing warlord from the first Extraction. Tornike Ghrichiani portrays Zurab, Tyler’s brother-in law, as a man who is vengeful and values his family above all else. Zurab is a more dangerous antagonist because he is actively involved in the action. He also goes toe-to-toe with Tyler. Tyler is a completely different warrior in this film as the injuries he sustained in the previous film, while healed, still have a significant impact on his abilities. That does not mean it stops him from kicking ass, whether with bullets or a flaming arm delivering brutal punches.Sam Hargrave made one hell of a directorial debut with Extraction, and his filmmaking acumen has grown since. Hargrave is a veteran stuntman who goes to great lengths to make Extraction feel as immersive as it can without a VR helmet. This movie shows Hargrave strapping himself to the hood a 60 mph car to get a specific shot. The action is visceral and some of the killings are shockingly brutal. This movie had me shouting at the screen several times. It’s that good. The Russo Brothers’ charm is evident in Extraction 2, and Chris Hemsworth has a chance to deliver some good one-liners. Henry Jackman and Alex Belcher provide a consistently rousing score. Also, a shout out to cinematographer Greg Baldi as well as editor Alex Rodriguez who helped put together some of the best action in recent years. This crew has worked so well together that they may have created one of the best action heroes in cinematic history. The scale of this movie is impressive. It’s a shame it won’t be released on the big screen. Netflix has had a mixed record of success with their features over the years. But this movie is the franchise that they’ve been waiting for. The ending of Extraction is very different from the first movie and could be the start of a new film series. Chris Hemsworth is a master of his craft, and this role could be his trademark, surpassing even his international acclaim for Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This blockbuster is one of the best I have ever seen. It doesn’t stop to let you catch a breath before kicking you in the a** with some of its best stunts. This movie is the real deal and is even better than the first.8

Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch