Sam Hargrave, a long-time stunt actor and coordinator, is following up his solid directorial debut with Extraction 2. Though both Extraction films are weak narratively, they are relatively rare gems that highlight the artistry of action and illuminate how poorly Hollywood has treated this art form. Here, Hargrave finds his groove with incredibly deliberate camera movements and extended scenes of action that ramp up the adrenaline. I hoped for a nonstop action trip that started with Chris Hemsworth’s Rake entering the prison and ended with his final boss battle at the end. It cut out the story’s emotional core, which ultimately meant very little. Extraction 2 is weighed down by Rake’s hang-ups over his choices, but the drama of the familial unit Rake is out to rescue is enough. Hargrave’s vision is clear.
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Somehow, Tyler Rake returned. After being clinically dead for nine months, the former Australian SAS and black ops mercenary is pulled back into the game of high-stakes jobs by Alcott (Idris Elba), of all people, for a mission that hits close to home. What wouldn’t you do for your family? Thanks to Rake’s fellow black ops mercenary and boss Nik’s (Golshifteh Farahani) persistence, Rake is back on his feet after being fatally wounded in Dhaka, Bangladesh at the end of Extraction. He is now officially retired and left alone with his dog in a cabin in a remote area in Austria. However, while recovering from his injuries, his quiet existence is disrupted by a mission he can’t turn down. He must rescue his former sister-in-law and her children from a Georgian prison, where her gangster husband watches them closely. The job is obviously dangerous and will push Rake to his limits, and he says yes anyway.

Narratively, Extraction 2 is just fine. It largely continues Rake’s emotional journey from the previous film, having him face his unresolved issues concerning his son’s death and abandoning his family in their hour of need. However, no one is seeking out either film for a nuanced tale of the emotional and psychological journey of a one-person army — the action is the main event. Tyler Rake is no John Wick, where his emotional turmoil is the basis of his never-ending quest for revenge and survival. In a way, the script, written by one producer Joe Russo, is clunky and ham-fisted, needlessly obvious and eye-rolling. Luckily, the actors are top tier and make do with what they are given.

Hemsworth has had his ups and downs in the action space. He often stars in projects that often have him posing instead of doing anything interesting. With Extraction 2, you can see why he would be compelled to return to this character and to Sam Hargrave repeatedly because, unlike in other productions, he is trusted to be an action star. With some help from the stunt coordinators on the film, Sam Hargrave himself, and Hemsworth’s stunt doubles, Rake is a force to be reckoned with. Rake may be hollow regarding personality, but when activated, he is quite a sight. His movements are raw and powerful. His punches and kicks land, and his quick hand-to-hand combat will have you holding your breath. When things go boom, you honestly believe that’s a wrap for his spine, but he keeps getting back up. The realism infused into these sequences helps create an impact, and there are several moments where you can’t help but flinch at what is unfolding before you. Hemsworth fits right into it all. There is no glam shot and no needless gawking at his physique. Rake is a weapon of mass destruction in the flesh, and that is largely owed to Hemsworth’s performance and stunt doubles Justin Howell, Bobby Holland Hanton and Adam Lytle.

Stylistically the sequel is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. Extraction 2 ditched the horrendously offensive yellow filter that is often imposed on any setting in or around an Asian country. I guess that yellow filter doesn’t seem right for an Eastern European setting (heaven forbid Hollywood use the oversaturated filter elsewhere). Newton Thomas Sigel leaned on all the wrong instincts for his last outing with Hargrave, but Extraction 2 cinematographer Greg Baldi utilized a slightly cool-toned adventure that suited the antagonist’s cold-hearted nature. Like Hargrave, Baldi’s cinematography is confident, steady, and is just enough to allow the action to do all the heavy lifting.

Extraction 2 will be a hit on Netflix. It is part of a pitch-perfect curation that is designed to maximize an actor’s appeal, give us a predictable and unpretentious story that is easy to follow and digest, minimal emotional turmoil, and some snazzy visuals to keep us hooked for two hours. Extraction 2 will stand out from the rest as it easily bests the rest with its action, and Hemsworth, whether his character is interesting or not, is very likable and easy to root for. It’s a movie that will probably not leave a lasting impression, but the action keeps pulling us in again and again. Extraction 3 is practically a guarantee – that is, if Netflix doesn’t continue being one of the big villains during Hollywood’s writers strike. My only hope is that Hargrave abandons the notion that a solid action film needs a heartfelt emotional narrative. With some personality adjustments to our dear Tyler Rake, the action can be bigger than ever with each subsequent sequel.

Extraction 2 begins streaming on Netflix Friday, June 16. It is 123 minutes long and rated R for strong/bloody violence throughout and language.