Directed by Sam Hargrave, Extraction 2 made us privy to some nerve-wracking action sequences that reminds us how much we love this genre, provided the film is made with sincerity, and brings forth that kind of top-notch quality. There are many films in the action thriller genre that we have loved over the years. Here’s a recommendation of some that you would definitely want to watch if you are also a fan of the genre.
Argo
I believe it is not possible to have a conversation about action thrillers focused on extraction without talking about one of the best films of the genre, i.e., Argo. Directed by Ben Affleck, Argo tells us the real-life story of a few American diplomats stuck in Tehran after relations between the two countries went sour. The American government planned to execute an undercover operation in which Ben Affleck’s character was sent to Iran to bring the diplomats back to the United States of America. The film is able to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its running time. You feel the nerves, you feel the heat, and what Ben Affleck and the writers do superbly is that they make us privy to the deepest inhibitions and fears of each and every character. Though the film is not character-centric, by the end, we get to know each and every one of them so well that we feel like we have lived that journey with them. The story of Argo might seem simple on paper, but it is the details that make it stand apart from the crowd. On one end, we have the nervous diplomats who feel like the frenzied crowd will take their lives, and on the other, we have this calm and composed guy (Ben Affleck) who knows what he is capable of doing. Watch Argo, and believe us when we say that when the film ends, you will be able to feel what those real-life people went through.
Taken
Well, who doesn’t remember Liam Neeson threatening the criminals in his deep voice in the 2008 action thriller Taken? The major difference between Taken and various other films of the same genre is that the former runs pretty high on emotions. It is the story of an operative whose daughter goes missing, and he pledges to bring the entire world down unless and until he finds her. The criminals underestimated the skills that Neeson’s character, Bryan Mills, had, and they believed that he would not be able to do anything. But guess what? They got it terribly wrong. Bryan Mills was like the most ferocious lion of the jungle, who was already lethal and now the criminals had aggravated him even more by taking away the most prized possession he had, i.e., his daughter. The mystery, the action, the emotions, and everything else about this film are on point, and moreover, Neeson’s character comes off as a pleasant surprise. He is not your stereotypical protagonist. Bryan Mills has flaws, and he is not oblivious to them, and that’s what makes the entire thing even more intriguing. If you haven’t already watched the film, then we urge you to do so and witness the wrath of a father who knows no bounds.
John Wick
It was said that John Wick was the man who was called to kill the bogeyman. The man was like a myth, and his actions in the past were the folklore that the underworld never forgot even after years of retirement. The entire narrative of a grieving man who had a lot of regrets and just wanted to spend the rest of his days like a recluse is quite intriguing in itself. Here was a man who was considered to be the most lethal assassin of all time, and you somewhere thought that he would be quite ruthless and aggressive in nature. But contrary to that image, he was a man who loved his dog and felt that his life had no meaning after he lost his wife. The action sequences, the metaphorical approach taken by the makers, and the constant looks of a “lost warrior” on the face of Keanu Reeves are a few things that make the John Wick franchise quite special. If you haven’t watched it yet, then we ask you to do yourself a favor and witness the legends of Baba Yaga.
Kill Boksoon
One of the reasons we were so eager for Extraction 2, despite the first part being so dismal, was because the action sequences were a treat to watch. If stylized fight sequences are what get you going, then Kill Boksoon should definitely be on your list. The protagonist, Gil Boksoon, is called Kill Boksoon because she is the best contract killer in the business. The shifting loyalties and corporate politics of the contract-killing world will have you on the edge of your seats, giving new meaning to the term “cut throat competition”. There is an angle of unrequited love, a lot of fatal sisterly jealousy, and some typical teenage angst that turns deadly when in the presence of guns and knives. Kill Boksoon is also an example of the untapped potential of older actresses and the magic they are capable of bringing to the screen. Jeon Do Yeon as Boksoon and Sol Kyung Gu as Cha Min Kyu are formidable yet so captivating that you would be left confused as to which side to pick. Do not miss this film.
Pathaan
Pathaan was the comeback movie of the Indian megastar Shahrukh Khan, as the man graced us with his presence on the silver screen after a very long time. Watch Pathaan for the stardom of Shahrukh Khan and witness him spread his charm through his cheeky dialogues and take over his enemies in some nerve-racking action sequences. Shahrukh Khan plays an Indian secret agent who is on a mission to neutralize a private terror outfit that has been wreaking havoc on the entire nation. We agree that it might not be the best film of the superstar, but if you watch it in the context of the political environment and what the man had been through in his personal and professional life, we believe that it is the kind of victory that he thoroughly deserved. You should definitely give Pathaan a watch if you want to see some good-looking people in action, some peppy dance numbers, and most of all, if you want to get blown away by the aura of Shahrukh Khan.
Die hard
Die Hard is generally considered to be one of the most efficient action films of all time and one of the best Christmas films ever, and the consensus isn’t wrong. When Tyler Rake and the rest of the gang were trapped in a building by Zurab and his team of killers, it seemed like Sam Hargrave was paying homage to this John McTiernan classic. Adapted from Roderick Thorp’s novel by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza, the story finds Detective John McClane visiting his wife, Holly, on Christmas Eve at her workplace in the iconic Nakatomi Plaza. The reason is pretty simple. They are about to break off their marriage, and McClane wants to make a last-ditch effort to save it. But the building is attacked by Hans Gruber and his team of terrorists because they want to steal the bearer bonds that are in Holly’s company’s possession. So, being the only cop in the building, McClane has to find a way to kill these terrorists and make sure that everyone, especially his wife, survives this whole ordeal. The limited nature of the premise allows Bruce Willis and the late Alan Rickman to display their acting talents. Tiernan and his team come up with a lot of inventive ways to use the verticality of the setting to challenge the hero as well as the villains. And when the explosives go off, it truly feels like Christmas.
