The Carnage Continues —Review Of Extraction 2 (2023)

Nik Khan and her brother, Yaz, take Tyler to a cabin in the woods so he can recover fully in retirement. He goes out one morning and returns to see a stranger at his cabin drinking his coffee. This unnamed man (played by Idris Elba) recruits him for another rescue job on behalf of Tyler's ex-wife. This job is to bust out the ex-wife's sister and two children who are being held in a Georgian prison by her crazy, drug dealer husband. Is Tyler Rake up to the task after just recovering from his wounds?

Review

Have I said this sequel is a great improvement on the previous film and more action-packed? The plot is brilliant as always but not any different from the first film—Tyler Rake is hired to rescue a mother and two children from a Georgian prison. The movie begins slowly which is good and once our action hero is back on his feet and given a mission, the pace becomes fast and exciting. The adrenaline rush keeps me on the edge of my seat as this hero and his team start to fight their way out of the midst of psychopaths and crazy prisoners.

The storytelling is excellent, the acting is impressive and more effort was put into the character development. I'm happy that the same actors from the first film returned in this one and some of them got more screen time. I'm referring to Golshifteh Farahani and her on-screen brother. We get to see this lovely actress in action as a badass mercenary. Another actor I'm particularly pleased to see even though he was given only two scenes is Idris Elba! I'm hoping he stars in other sequels and plays prominent roles.

Themes of love, family and loyalty are covered in the plot. It's not all about fighting and killing. I love that the Russo brothers give this tough action hero an emotional edge—the loss of his son to lymphoma. Tyler's son was dying but he chose to deploy to Afghanistan rather than face the situation. This tragedy motivates him in his missions and makes him relatable to his audience. In the first film, Tyler almost dies saving a teenage boy and getting him back home. In this sequel, his past comes to stare him in the face, allowing him to make amends and get closure. He risks his life and that of his team to save a mother and her two children.

The scene that is most exciting to watch is when Tyler and his ex-wife's sister try to fight their way out of the midst of crazy prisoners. It's like those men are possessed and rather than fight to get out of the prison since all hell had broken loose, they run towards Tyler and the woman.

The action sequences and gun battles are breathtaking. It's like viewers are right on the scene with these actors, fighting to stay alive amidst the dangers, flying bullets and detonating bombs. I'll say the cinematographer did a great job.

Overall, this adrenaline-fueled sequel is outstanding and a true definition of an action thriller. It cleverly combines emotional scenes and exhilarating actions to give us a riveting finish. I believe there is more to come.

I'll rate it 4.3 stars out of 5. You must watch it!

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