Anthony Russo

If you’re into brainless, mucho macho mayhem, Extraction 2 is 85% action, 15% narrative – meaning there’s lots of fighting, particularly hand-to-hand combat, even though it’s never clear how these ‘ordinary’ Eastern European men can take that much physical punishment and maintain their ruthless bravado. Australian black ops mercenary Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is still recovering from his previous mission. Reuniting with director/stuntman Sam Hargrave, he embarks on this sequel, tracing its origins to Ande Parks’ graphic novel “Ciudad” from a story by Parks, Joe & Anthony Russo.

Director Sam Hargrave ups the ante in his sequel in every possible manner. The close and hand to hand combat is superbly choreographed and the big action beats are meatier than the first. Extraction had a famous long take one-shot and Hargrave goes one better by having at least two (if not more) with one involving a spectacular car chase. The bombast of the action scenes is admirable, and Nik finally gets her time to shine as an action heroine in her own right.