‘Extraction’ is one of the best-looking action movies not named ‘John Wick’ in a long time

Posted on May 1, 2020

By MARK VIOLA

As we continue with our foray into streaming releases, we have reached one of the most high-profile Netflix movies of the spring, the action flick “Extraction,” which has the feel of a summer blockbuster.

The film stars Chris Hemsworth (“Avengers: Endgame”) as a black-market mercenary hired to rescue the son of a notorious drug lord. It is produced by Joe and Anthony Russo (who directed both “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”) and is based on the graphic novel co-written by Joe Russo, who also adapted it for the big (well, small) screen.

At the helm is Sam Hargrave, who makes his feature directorial debut after a career in stunt work. He has an extensive history working with the Russo brothers, serving as Chris Evans’ stunt double in “Captain America: Winter Soldier” and jumping to stunt coordinator for “Captain America: Civil War” and both “Avengers” films.

What he may lack in experience directing big-budget action films he makes up for with his knowledge of stunt work, and he proves in “Extraction” that he knows how to translate that into extremely entertaining on-screen action.

While the story in this movie does in no way break any new ground in the “supposedly heartless mercenary hired to save/protect someone” genre, the action ranks quite high compared to most movies we get these days.

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