lavatch
In the DVD version of "Extortion," the film's writer-director Phil Volken describes how he wanted to make a film that would have "universal" implications, engaging viewers with the story of a desperate man on the run faced with "one obstacle after to another." Volken's ultimate goal was "a story people can relate to."Unfortunately, the film was slow for the first half, then, when the action scenes kicked in, they were often so difficult to believe that the film collapsed into preposterous moments that lost all sense of credibility. That's not the kind of universality that the director desired.There is a defining moment early in the film when the protagonist, a medical doctor named Dr. Kevin Riley, is about to leave on a vacation with his family, but seems unable or unwilling to figure out the operation of his power lawnmower. That detail has consequences later when the doctor is stranded on an island after he is unable to restart his rented motor boat. In turn, the doctor is blackmailed by an extortionist fisherman, who demands a million dollars to bring the hapless family back to civilization. The extortionist is played by Barkhad Abdi, who does a virtual re-enactment of his villain role in "Captain Phillips."In his attempt to save his wife and young son, Dr. Riley makes one mistake after another, leading him deeper and deeper into a hopeless situation. His plight is compounded by the ineptitude of one of the most incompetent police forces imaginable. Suddenly, Dr. Riley goes from being the hunter to the hunted as the drama plays out.In the bonus segment of the DVD, the writer-director described the challenges of filming on water. Members of the cast and crew became seasick, and the shoot was a laborious process. The filmmakers deserve some credit for an effective climactic action sequence in the sparkling blue water of the Caribbean. At the same time, the there were far too many scenes that stretched credibility to the limit and kept the film out of reach of the major goal of "a story people can relate to."
jim_gun
if plan A failed, there are still plan B,C,D,... until Z. that's what this movie looked alike.. Every time you think it's gonna end, there's always a new clue or idea. the plot and the story is very good, entertaining from start until the end.. this movie just almost like "cellular" movie, very recommended to watch.
ciglerboris
I haven't been to IMDb site in probably 7 years. However, I was so curious what people said about this movie, that after googling reviews, landed back here and was reading. I felt compelled to register, sing in, and confirm the account all at 1 am my time. Just so I can share a review, that tells something about the movie?The movie. The most unbelievable plot ever made. Plot is so bluntly consequential that you know from the very line of the neighbors about the lawn mower engine that something is going to happen. Now, movie is full of unbelievable and unreal scenes.Adding to all of these mentioned beforeDad mentions owns a boating license when renting from a local, yet he goes out to open sea without a single bottle of water, no compass, first-aid-kit, etc all things you know and need to know if you get a license. Even if you buy one and not pass you know better. On the good side, watching you ask yourself - what would you do (even if you wouldn't do such a dumb thing). Acting is bad. Wife looks hot. Kid is a moron.
dangthienlong
First of all, I'm the father of a daughter. If things happen like this I believe I would do most the same as this dad did in the movie. A message to some people seeing this is a nonsense movie, here are my concluding:1. In real life, You have to imagine there will be a lot more worse and more stupid people than bad guys in the movie that you could never understand WHY!2. in case no one trusts you, you have to find your own way to solve the problem, not to wait for any congenial ideas from any men, from any government. Because they are not living in your mind, not in your urgent time, not understand your situation, not living for your life, do not expect any empathy if they don't have it... So don't wait for them to say in their final word that is "we are sorry"... In this particular scene, no men can search for his family among thousand of islands within 1 night and 1 morning, so don't blame that he is stupid unless you put yourself into this...3. If the father waits for the police to catch that Haiti and tracing banking account, cell phone, interviewing suspects, doing process kinds of stuff... the next day will be wasted forever and could lead to the death of 2 fresh bodies...
AD
