'Extraction': A disappointment for Bangladeshi fans
Actor Chris Hemsworth is shorthand for 'God of Thunder' to Marvel fans. When he unites with Russo Brothers for the action flick 'Extraction,' that too set in our personal Dhaka, it becomes a must-watch affair, except it didn't deserve all of the fanfare just before its release (we are certain to get into it shortly).
Hemsworth's character 'Tyler Rake' plays a mercenary in the film. His usual charms and action prowess makes him the only reason to view this dud actioner, if there's any. The film was partly shot in Dhaka. But by making use of CGI and set building, Tyler hurls through the alleys of Old Dhaka and beyond till his last scene.
Sam Hargrave, the director of the film, is actually a stunt coordinator. He was your body double for Captain America in the Avengers films. Hargrave's first shot at filmmaking is flawed. But his devotion to create "Extraction" a wham bam action flick is passable.
In the opening scene, we see drone shots over Buriganga, with both sides of the river in horizon. Hargrave himself came to Dhaka to shoot those montages. His efforts made Dhaka appear to be that of a slum, not really a megacity. When Tyler Rake speaks in Bangla saying: Proman Dao! (Give me proof), it offers momentary fan service to Bangladeshis, but that alone had not been enough to save the sinking ship called 'Extraction.'
The plot goes something similar to this: Biggest drug lord in Bangladesh kidnaps the teenage son of the biggest drug lord in India. To rescue his son, the Indian criminal (PankajTripathi) assembles a team to extract his son 'OviMahajan (RudhrakshJaiswal).
Tyler Rake is induced board to handle the mission. But like many rescue films, this one follows a tried and tested trope. Tyler Rake and his friends are played by a third party, making the extraction plan (almost) futile.
Our capital city Dhaka may be the backdrop of the film. The plot suggests the majority of the rescue scenes happen in Old Dhaka, however the film changes geography with regard to the plot (or plot holes). A bridge called "Sultana Kamal Bridge" over the Buriganga works as a passage between your border of India and Bangladesh. Who have thought Dhaka is indeed near our neighbor India? Given that is some 'Fast and Furious' level logic.
Source: dailyasianage.com
