‘Extraction 2’ Review: Chris Hemsworth’s Brawny Mercenary is Back for a Nimble, High-Wire Sequel

thewrap.com:

Extraction 2” comes in, with the director (also a stuntman and choreographer, though not on this film) returning after 2020’s first “Extraction,” a film (reportedly) received so well by the audiences that the filmmakers changed its ending and made a survivor out of its mercenary (anti)hero, Tyler Rake.Written by Joe Russo from a story by him, Anthony Russo and Ande Parks (also the creator of the source graphic novel, “Ciudad”), “Extraction 2” feels meatier in its action-packed set pieces than its predecessor, with Chris Hemsworth’s approachable and brawny Rake giving puppy avenger John Wick a genuine run for his money when it comes to high-kicks and knockouts. (Speaking of puppies, let’s not forget to mention that Rake’s sweet dog and pet chickens make it through this new mayhem in one piece.)All that said, “Extraction 2” largely skipping theaters for a quick sprint to streaming feels like a massively missed opportunity for Netflix.

Sure, having arrived at the height of the lockdown, the environment into which “Extraction” launched was vastly different than today, making direct-to-streaming the only option.

But with movie theaters no longer out of bounds, one wonders why the studio has insisted upon denying the audiences (at least those outside of big cities) the proven ecstasy of experiencing cartoonishly smashed skulls, sliced throats and cracking bones amongst an overeager crowd.And they are a dime a dozen in “Extraction 2,” which simultaneously feels more brutal than its predecessor, but also more sophisticated and even measured in its handling of violence.