Greetings again from the darkness. Our favorite fearless, black-market mercenary is back … and this time it’s personal! (read that line with your best “In a world” voice). Well, initially, Tyler Rake is only back while comatose after his last job nearly got him killed. When he awakens, his finely-tuned body is broken and in need of repair and recovery. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before his particular set of skills are back in demand. A visit from a mysterious man (Idris Elba) provides a personal offer that spurs Rake into ‘Rocky Balboa’ training mode, replete with chickens and wood-chopping.
Director Sam Hargrave and writer Joe Russo stick to the formula that worked in their popular EXTRACTION from 2020, only this time they go even bigger. Mr. Hargrave is a long-time stunt coordinator and Mr. Russo often works with his own brother Anthony on Marvel movies, so you can expect an overdose of action sequences, fight scenes, and shootouts. And regardless of how many of each you expect, the film will very likely deliver more. It is relentless in its commitment to action … never more so than the elaborately staged prison break. It’s a remarkable action sequence that lasts about 20 minutes and includes guns, knives, explosives, car chases, helicopters, and most anything else ever seen in a battle. One key difference is that the first film’s cinematographer, Newton Thomas Sigel, has been replaced by Greg Baldi, creating a different look and style to the film.
Chris Hemsworth returns as Tyler Rake, and the actor has publicly stated that he’s tired of playing Thor. It’s difficult to imagine this role is more fulfilling, but perhaps he simply enjoys being the main attraction. Also returning in this sequel are Tyler’s handler, Nik Khan (Golshifteh Farahani) and her brother Yaz (Adam Bessa). Their mission is to extract the sister of Tyler’s ex-wife, along with two kids, from the prison where her evil gangster husband is serving time. As one might expect, the extraction goes sideways, and soon the gangster’s equally evil brother (as proven earlier by his pitchfork handywork) is pursuing them in revenge. Bullets fly and bodies fall. Both sides are curiously well-equipped and better funded than many governments. Weapons and military equipment and soldiers seem to pop up instantaneously when trouble starts, and sometimes just before that. For those who enjoy over-the-top action and violence, get your popcorn ready.
In addition to worldclass bone-crunching, the participants enjoy worldclass globetrotting … bouncing to and fro: Dubai, Georgia (the country, not the state), the Amalfi Coast, Austria, and Sydney. The two gangster brothers are played by Tornike Bziava and Tornike Gogrichiani, while the sister being rescued is Tinatin Dalakishvili, and her troubled son is played by Andro Japaridze. Appearing in only two scenes each are Olga Kurylenko and Idris Elba, although Mr. Elba’s final scene seems to set the stage for his return in another sequel … which if it occurs, we can assume will somehow have an even bigger bullet budget.
Streaming on Netflix beginning June 16, 2023
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 