Bedlam in Bangladesh

Netflix's latest escapade, "Extraction", is a high-energy affair that manages to have a heart in the midst of its kinetic action, jaw-dropping stunts and fiery explosions

A decade after landing his star-making role as Thor, Chris Hemsworth's status as a Hollywood leading man remains rather nebulous. The brawny Australian actor checks every box in "build-a-movie star" bingo; charisma, comedic chops, height, looks and even actual acting talent. Yet, nearly every project outside his MCU catalog has been met with either lukewarm reception or tepid box office returns. "Extraction" is no different, as reviews have been mixed. While its criticisms are valid, that doesn't stop it from being entertaining. Is it excessively violent? Yes. Is the plot paper-thin? Certainly. However, this is often the case when dealing with action-driven movies and in terms of spectacle, "Extraction" delivers.

Nik Khan (Golshifteh Farahani) recruits fellow mercenary Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) to rescue Ovi Mahajan Jr. (Rudhraksh Jaiswal), the kidnapped son of India's biggest drug lord (Pankaj Tripathi). He's being held for ransom by Bangladesh's top kingpin (Priyanshu Painyuli). The story takes a predictable, but exciting turn when Rake's team is betrayed and Saju (Randeep Hooda), Ovi Mahajan Sr.'s right-hand man, looks to bring the boy home himself. Produced by the Russo Brothers and written by Joe Russo based on a graphic novel they co-created with Andre Parks, Eric Skillman and Fernando Leon Gonzalez, the MCU connections are strong throughout.

It's stylistic mix of gunfights and hand-to-hand combat will draw inevitable comparisons to "John Wick", as certain moments appear to be directly influenced by it. There are also parallels behind the camera, as director Sam Hargrave comes from a stuntman background just as original Wick directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch did. Hargrave's flair for filming action was undoubtedly sharpened while working as a fight and stunt coordinator for projects like "Avengers: Endgame", "Avengers: Infinity War", "Captain America: Civil War" and "Wolf Warrior 2". While the fantastic setpieces are unquestionably the standout, it is mostly front-loaded. The best sequences occur in the first two-thirds of the film, with the climactic showdown lacking some of the energy and imagination of its earlier counterparts. As previously stated, the script isn't the strongest, as its lackluster characterization and cliched storytelling are valid points of contention. Still, the bond between Rake and Ovi Jr. gives the movie a backbone and allows viewers to be emotionally invested. The film runs out of gas towards the end, but its unique setting and incredible stunt work make it worth a watch. B-