![]() ![]() Makes me a bit sad to see that Volken did not manage to pull through until the very end with his quality filmmaking really. When the protagonist wakes up afterward at the hospital, it sadly gets worse and the film loses itself a bit with the lone wolf going out there to save his family and it becomes a bit stereotypical and the way it ends eventually is also a bit unrealistic and feels very much on the forced happy ending side. I personally felt that the film was really really good until everything escalates at the home of Abdi's character and until that point I was even tempted to give it a 4 stars out of 5 and this include it in my very favorite films of the year by now. ![]() The movie runs for 110 minutes (including credits), which is fairly long admittedly and I do believe that there are segments that could have been shortened or maybe even left out. It's all about how everything is written. ![]() By definition, it sounds like a truly baity lead performance, but eventually it feels more like it is all about the thrills and the mission to save wife and son, so I would not blame Bailey that his performance is probably not among the most memorable aspects of the films. And then there is Eion Bailey, who is mostly known for his prolific television work, but also appeared in "Fight Club" for example. Donald Glover around the age of 70 plays a police investigator who was a bit underwritten though and I think there was certainly more potential to the character. But there is more to this film than just Abdi. It almost felt like the same character and one of his earlier illegal career "achievements". And his physical presence is equally strong again. The crime reference is there once again and also once again the connection with water. And Abdi plays a character pretty similar to his career-defining performance, even if this film takes place in an entirely different part of the world. His film here probably receives a major boost thanks to the inclusion of Somalian Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner Barkhad Abdi. "Extortion" is an American movie from this year (2017), still relatively new and fresh and it is probably the most known work by award-winning filmmaker Phil Volken, who is the writer and director here. Reviewed by Horst_In_Translation 6 / 10 It's not Captain Phillips, but still a solid achievement The lead is a triumph, as is the overall direction. ![]() The villain is more than believable, well played and cast, as is the patient Danny Glover. Is it deliberate? Do people like hating the stupidity of persons or actions? Perhaps I missed hearing about some new and surprising market research, who knows? This one is easily forgivable. If I may comment generally though, inattention to plot believability in many movies and TV these days is seeming to be a vogue. And honestly, what father with zero knowledge of engines takes a motorboat out to a distance that he can no longer see the shore, with no flares, phones, or water, and hasn't even bothered to let the resort know what he's up to? OK, it's just plausible in the rush of bliss that accompanies pleasing his very young boy. The cameras used were OK, but I've seen better for colour, and for a Caribbean movie full of vivid blues that should have been a priority. The strings as the family land in their resort were particularly inspiring. Some of the background music would easily have suited a bigger production as well, even if a tad old-fashioned. I loved some of the ideas for the edits, this is a creative work as well, such as clever shots of parts of a fishing vessel before zooming to an open wallet to awaken the story, or a close-up of a lonely seedling as an ominous symbol. The writers throw brilliant spanners into the works as shock surprises, it's a treat. It doesn't seem forced or farfetched, indeed, it all seems reward for effort. The premise is basically that a father's brain goes into overdrive to find the means to save his family. I honestly don't believe I've seen anything quite like it before. It's a very unusual story, in an unusual location. This is truly knife-edge viewing from the 20 minute mark to the very end. This is a taunt thriller, with a lean and exquisite timeline. Reviewed by robertemerald 8 / 10 Taunt, original, brilliantly timed, edge of seat thriller ![]()
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