Movie Review: Extraction

It's been proven on several occasions in recent years that good things tend to happen when you get a seasoned stuntperson to direct an action movie. Extraction is the latest example of the rewards that can be reaped from having someone with intimate knowledge of the action-staging process running the show.

Like Chad Stahleski and David Leitch before him, Sam Hargrave-whose resume as a stunt coordinator includes Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame, The Accountant and Leitch's Atomic Blonde-ensured success on his inaugural directorial endeavor by building Extraction around his established strengths as a creative individual. The incredibly straightforward plot centered around a former Australian special forces solider turned mercenary (Chris Hemsworth, who is very convincing as a cold blooded killing machine going through a not-so-subtle battle with his personal demons) that is hired to retrieve the teenage son of an Indian drug lord (Rudhraksh Jaiswal in a surprisingly understated turn) who has been kidnapped by a rival kingpin (Priyanshu Painyuli) from Bangladesh actively invites opportunities for big action setpieces to emerge and allows for constant narrative momentum to be achieved relatively easily. While this straightforward approach to storytelling will likely leave the people that are seeking something deeper rolling their eyes, keeping things clear and concise on the narrative front is a great way to get the maestro behind the camera to devote the bulk of their efforts to the stuff that brings genre fans to their feet.

Naturally, the action front is where Extraction works overtime and let's just say those long hours paid off. By utilizing fluid camerawork, having enemies that routinely catch the heroes by surprise and emphasizing the brutal physicality/emotional toll of combat,  Hargrave's directorial approach feels grittily realistic. The impact of every punch/bullet/stab is felt and hardly a moment goes by where you feel like danger isn't around the corner, which results in a string of dazzling setpieces that boast suspense levels that are comparable to a pure thriller. All of the pulse-pounding excitement and "HOLY SHIT"-worthy moments of carnage that stems from this technique is best highlighted by a 10+ minute long take that goes through several locations near the halfway point. It's the type of jaw-dropping visceral spectacle that leaves you wondering how the hell they were able to pull it off as soon as it's over as well as an important visual reminder that stunt performers are the most criminally underappreciated individuals working in the entertainment industry. Considering how assured and technically-sound the direction is here, I don't think it's unfair to believe that Hargrave could be setting out on a path to become a premier action filmmaker.

Extraction is a pure adrenaline rush that delivers plenty of terrific action with absolutely no fat to speak of. While I'm not willing to put in the class of John Wick, Kingsman and The Raid quite yet, it's definitely a standout project that demonstrates the benefit of having a team in place that knows how to assemble these scenes from the pre-shoot choreography/storyboarding all the way to the editing process. Cheers to Mr. Hargrave on a hell of a directorial debut and may there be many more chances for him to stage immaculate shootouts, fist fights, etc. on screens of any size in the future.

Grade: A-