Garden variety action movie. I was entertained for 2 hours and proceeded to immediately forget about it.
Finished this over the weekend; some of the decisions in the end were so stupid. I think it was obvious they were setting up a sequel but there were for sure moments where I was raising my hands and going "how does this make sense?" Mostly forgettable
So finally watched this over the past weekend. I'll agree with those that felt like they had fun, it was pretty enjoyable, but somehow ultimately forgettable. It's got an all-star cast, a HUGE budget and a set of directors with a great track record and somehow the movie feels slightly less than the sum of its parts, which is a pity because it could have been amazing. And for those arguing that action movies are tough to make well and there isn't a lot out there that's got great action and a good storyline. I would agree with that, in general, but the problem is I think the BEST possible blueprint in modern day for amazing action movies that also have a good, connecting plot was actually made by NETFLIX just two years ago. If no one ever saw Extraction and you enjoy action movies, go freaking see it. It is a tier above The Gray Man at what I imagine was about 10% the budget. The set pieces are generally smaller, and the star power was basically limited to just one guy, but the action choreography was as good as I've seen, and it had a very compact story that just worked. That movie got LOTS of acclaim when it was released (in part because it was right at the beginning of the pandemic and everyone was sitting at home trying to entertain themselves), so I just don't get how it is Netflix wouldn't have done everything they could to replicate that blueprint. Hell, I would have MUCH preferred the sequel to Extraction over Gray Man. Where is that? Anyway, end rant. Netflix does some things really well but at times they baffle me. I AM glad that this has apparently done well enough they greenlit the sequel, because I'd like to see these characters again. Hopefully in the next one it goes better.
Extraction 2 has finished filming and is gonna be on Netflix sometime next year. Also for y'all who are disappointed by the Grey Man, check out the books by Mark Greaney.
