It's often hard to determine who truly calls the shots on a film project – the director, the producers, or even the cast. With Extraction, Sam Hargrave’s directorial debut, that question feels particularly relevant given his background as a stunt coordinator for Marvel films, having previously worked with Joe and Anthony Russo on Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. The action sequences are so intricately choreographed that their influence is undeniable. Hargrave delivers what might be the best action movie Netflix has ever produced, though it’s true that calling it that doesn't carry a lot of weight. It’s genuinely excellent and surpasses every other action film released by the streaming service. Two things really make Extraction work: the incredible, breathtaking action, and Chris Hemsworth’s remarkable physical and emotional performance. Hemsworth is one of those actors who rarely gets the recognition he deserves. People tend to see him as only being able to play Thor, but he's shown a real range throughout that role, demonstrating both his comedic and dramatic abilities. In Extraction, however, he goes beyond just the physicality and stunts – which are impressive in their own right – and really connects with the character on an emotional level. It’s a truly brilliant performance! The action is what ultimately steals the show. Joe and Anthony Russo lent their expertise from working on Marvel films, balancing numerous characters and elevating the choreography to impressive heights. During the promotion campaign, people talked about a long, continuous shot (a “oner”), which Hemsworth himself described as the most complicated action sequence he’d ever done – and they weren't exaggerating. It's really quite an achievement. I was so taken by those roughly twelve minutes that I paused the film and rewatched them. Home viewing offers a unique advantage here. While it isn’t actually one continuous shot, but rather a series of long takes cleverly edited together to create that effect, this technical accomplishment is still remarkable. The sequence includes everything from car chases and shootouts to knife fights and hand-to-hand combat. I'd say it ranks among the best action sequences in recent years, especially when compared to top franchises like Mission: Impossible and John Wick. Throughout the film, the action is exceptionally well-filmed, with impeccable editing that maintains a constant sense of excitement and urgency. The movie avoids feeling overly exaggerated; even when the protagonist takes damage, it never feels like he should be incapacitated. This grounding in realism can make or break an action film, and Extraction establishes a strong foundation for success. Extraction has all the elements of pure entertainment, and I’m confident that it will be widely praised by audiences. However, it's clear that the Russo brothers and Hargrave didn’t devote as much attention to the screenplay as they did to the action. Despite having a straightforward premise, attempts to make secondary characters feel important or emotionally resonant fall flat. Even Tyler Rake is saddled with a fairly predictable backstory. I struggled to connect with any of the characters or their relationships. The reason for the extraction itself – involving drug warlords – feels so generic that it’s honestly quite unimaginative. There isn't even a clear reason for them to be fighting over one person’s son. The film also concludes by leaving numerous plot questions unanswered, and with what seems like an attempt at being either overly philosophical or simply ruining the entire experience. I’ve never been keen on movies that begin with a flashforward of the protagonist, especially in this genre; it diminishes the tension and suspense. Ultimately, Extraction will be remembered for its incredible action and Chris Hemsworth's outstanding performance. He is one of the most underrated actors working today, delivering not only a physically impressive display but also an emotionally resonant portrayal. The action sequences are breathtaking at every turn. The superb choreography combined with seamless editing elevate the action to some of the best I’ve seen in recent years, including that technically stunning continuous shot. The excitement remains high throughout, thanks to the Russo brothers and debut director Sam Hargrave, who leaves his mark on the film through its action sequences. However, the focus was so heavily on the action that the story and characters suffered from formulaic storytelling, predictable backstories, and a general lack of emotional investment. Still, Extraction is the best action movie Netflix has ever made, so it’s definitely worth watching. Rating: B+

Source on TMDB