Extraction: Action unlimited, substance limited

A powerless Indian drug lord locked up in prison. A Bangladeshi drug lord who prefers to sip on a Frootie while trying to intimidate a kid. A son of a drug lord who can’t work up the courage to talk to his crush. A mercenary who may ask you to hold his beer, jump off a cliff and stay underwater in total stillness (no, no water bubbles either). Depending on the writing, these characters could have been made into wonderful personalities that form substance for the movie. Unfortunately, the weak writing and the lack of a larger narrative of ‘Extraction’ only leaves us with an action movie that is undercooked in parts.

Despite all its shortcomings, one cannot dismiss the action sequences of ‘Extraction’. In fact, amidst the lack of proper back stories and character solidifications, the action saves the film. Director Hargrove is known for coordinating stunts spectacularly for many internationally loved movies like ‘Avengers: The End Game’. When a person of such caliber is involved in a film, the results are obvious. Be it firing, arms handling or close combat scenes, Chris Hemsworth and Randeep Hooda have diligently put themselves to work and it shows. Particularly a car chase and a long combat sequence which is a continuous shot in the movie which will have your eyes not blinking. The flow and smoothness of the choreography alone is very commendable.

However, what the film fails to deliver is a motivation for the viewer to get really invested in the characters. For instance, the writing feels void when we want to know why the characters are behaving in a certain way. In ‘Extraction’, it appears that all is fight or for the fight. We are left wondering with questions like, what was the real purpose behind the drug kingpin’s son’s kidnapping? Or why the drug lord is behind the bars? What’s the dramatic purpose behind almost every character?

Not to mention the odd misfit of dialogues in certain junctures. For instance, while hiding in underground sewage, Tyler Rake played by Chris Hemsworth goes into a sentimental drag with the kid Ovi Mahajan- all just from a few seconds before when he was gnashing people with his superior combat skills. As he goes into his sorry past, from nowhere we see this trembling rescued kid who in an ‘enlightened master’ tone says, “You drown by not falling into the river, but by staying submerged in it”. Kid, do you not know who you’re speaking with? He’s a merc who dives straight into the water, and ‘submerges’ himself in a meditative pose, just because he can do it. It would be apt to say that the context and delivery were lacking in meaning. Another instance is when Tyler’s made known of his assignment of extracting a little kid amidst the rivalry between two dangerous drug lords in the beginning of the movie. All Tyler can come up with is, ‘sounds like some mythic shit’. What must have appeared to be badass seems like a weak line uttered by a character unsure of himself?

The fact is, the dialogues would have had believability if the director had explored the personal tragedies of his characters much more deeply. Which reminds, Randeep Hooda could have gotten something more than a framed picture of him dressed in military attire. Other than Tyler and Ovi, Randeep’s character Saju had space for character exploration in the film. However, what Hargrove’s characters lack in words, they prove it in action.

Another way to look at the movie is through the lens of macho-tragedies that the film portrays. Tyler Rake has a sorrowful past with his family and especially his kid. The Indian drug lord is behind bars and probably faces humiliation with the kidnapping of his kid. Randeep Hooda’s family probably being annihilated in case he doesn’t rescue his boss’s kid. The boss’s kid too has his own set of worries from striking a conversation with his crush to just wanting to play piano peacefully (which his drug lord father disdains). Even Gasper who makes a short appearance in the movie is not spared of a past tragedy. Still saying, a lot of opportunities missed by the filmmakers to make ‘Extraction’ a well-rounded action movie. With Golshifteh Farahani being the only prominent female character of the movie, even her role isn’t that meaty. She appears to be in a powerful role in the movie, but we are not exposed to her decision-making skills or even a concrete part to play around with the men in the action sequences.

Mumbai and Dhaka’s densely populated streets add color and a sense of grim vibrance to the film’s photography, especially in fast parts involving fights and gunshots, which is again most of the movie itself. It also gives you a ‘Call of Duty’ feeling, but will definitely tick the boxes for action fans.

‘Extraction’ is an entertaining action movie if you forgive its lack of ‘substance amidst chaos’ treatment. While people are suffering the effects of lockdown, Chris Hemsworth’s adrenaline-packed entertainer may be the closest we can get to a ‘theatre experience’ in the current scenario.

Verdict: You’ll love the action if not anything else.

Rating: 3

Where to watch: Netflix