Extraction 2 Review: A Rich, Engaging, and Thrilling Sequel

Extraction 2 is one of the rare films that is better than the original. It improves so much on the initial concept. Rake and Nik’s vibrance comes out more in this movie as their badassery grows.

The villains even have more intriguing motives and backstories. Additionally, this Netflix movie enhances some of the themes it establishes in the first film, such as blood and found family, grief, and finding a purpose.

Even those who may have been neutral or didn’t enjoy Extraction may enjoy this sequel. It takes the potential of the first movie and digs deeper to create a more exciting narrative and even more thrilling fight scenes.

It runs for over 2 hours, but the run-time doesn’t feel like it because it engages you for its entirety. The first film briefly scratches the surface of Rake’s grief and loss. However, this film ensures that that’s one of the center storylines.

It drives him even more in Extraction 2.

It’s why he helps Ketevan and her children. He wants to atone for his sins against his wife and child. The improvement of the narrative and characters stand out the most.

Nik really shines as an equally interesting and tough counterpart to Rake. We also see more of her family life with her brother Yaz. Unfortunately, the Yaz’s comic side didn’t get to shine as much through all the shooting, which we want more of because the Rake and Yaz banter is a highlight of the film.

Though Ovi and Rake form an endearing bond, which makes him a surrogate child to Rake, the stakes feel even higher in this sequel because of his direct familial connection with these children.

He cannot grieve any more of his family, and he cannot disappoint his ex-wife again.

Extraction 2 offers some closure to Rake’s personal life, but you know that his child’s death haunts him forever.

The action sequences thrill as much as you would hope. The final showdown between Zurab and Rake feels more intimate and intense than some of the scenes when Rake, Nik, and Yaz fight over a hundred people, but that’s what makes the battle the most gruesome and necessary to end this war.

Violence and action sequences are not exactly my favorite thing to watch in movies, but I cannot deny the enthralling nature of these scenes. The ones in this movie work so well because they have the same thrill as a first-person video game.

You’re temporarily watching as if you’re also fighting off these bad guys. The prison sequence is such an impressive scene because of all the technicality and coordinating it must take to execute those scenes.

The pacing of Extraction 2 works a lot better than the first film. It has a better mixture of action and storytelling. Chris Hemsworth also gets more scenes to showcase that he’s not just an action star.

He can also act really well.

You feel the emotions of Rake with subtle scenes as much as you do with the big emotional ones. The entire cast pulls you into this film.

For example, Andro Japaridze’s final scenes as Sandro are so well-done, just with the constant hands shaking.

Even when Sandro reaches his most frustrating points, you can’t really judge him for making bad choices because, at the end of the day, he is just a scared and confused kid.

Tornike Gogrichiani as Zurab gives a compelling performance as this villain who finds himself trying to protect and honor his family, even if it takes him to the edge of damnation. Everyone in Extraction 2 gives their all to their characters and performances.

Extraction 2 offers an exciting new chapter to Rake’s world. It’s thrilling, fun, and richer in storytelling than the original film.

Stray Thoughts

• The lack of Ovi feels like a logical choice but doesn’t make it less disappointing.
• That character’s death seems obvious, but still, it packs the intended heartbreaking punch.
• I need to know what brand of vehicle has bulletproof windows because those cars are nearly indestructible.

What did you think of Extraction 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Extraction 2 is currently available to stream on Netflix. 

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