Extract [Blu-ray] [2009] [US Import]

I have to admit, I expected more from this film, having been hyped up by the ad I saw for it on TV, then not having it shown at any cinema in a three-county radius. So by the time the DVD was available, I was on the edge of my seat to see it. I just wish I'd rented it first, instead of blindly purchasing it based on my liking of Mike Judge's past efforts.

"Beavis and Butt-Head" was a global phenomenon that showed us teenagers as they really are. "Office Space" was a low-key workplace masterpiece that became a juggernaut of a cult hit and changed the American stationery market. "Idiocracy," while slightly more Lowest Common Denominator, was still a crackingly good swipe at how society is dumbing down. "King of the Hill" is popular, enduring, gentle humour which people of all ages can enjoy. "Extract" is just . . . . enh. I can't even work up enough emotion about it to give it a better adjective than a noncommittal grunt!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the acting, which is all well-done. The sets, locations, costumes, and props all look spot-on. Some of the character types are probably immediately recognisable from your own life. And there's even a nice little physics / chemistry in-joke for anyone who knows what a triple-point is and why it would be important for food additives. The plot itself is well-outlined in the other reviews here, so there's no need for me to reiterate it again.

But "Extract" just sort of . . . plods. None of the characters really struck me as sympathetic, and as a result, the movie felt like it smacked into me and slid right off without any impact or residue whatsoever. I got a few chuckles out of it, but my sides were in no danger of splitting wide open. Perhaps I could've given this film three stars instead of two, but compared to the other Mike Judge works on my DVD shelves, it just doesn't measure up. Also, it could've used Stephen Root in it somewhere.

Now, I've had people comment on a couple of my reviews that while they liked the copy I wrote, they completely disagreed with my opinions expressed therein. (My thanks to you fine folks for the encouragement and pointers!) And I really do hope there are people out there who will enjoy this movie a lot more than I did, disagree with me completely, and lend support to Mike Judge's career, so he can turn out some more excellent wry social satire in the future. But I'll say this: I recommend renting this film (or waiting to see it on TV for free) to see if it's your cup of tea before committing to a purchase. Especially as the DVD has absolutely nothing in the way of extras, not even a trailer. As for myself, I'm only holding onto it to express support for Mike's efforts; I probably won't even watch it a second time.

Extract is an easy watch starring Jason Bateman as Joel, the general manager and owner of a flavour extract company. When a longtime employee - Step - loses a testicle in an unfortunate industrial accident, Joel is terrified of the consequent legal action. The beautiful con-artist Cindy (Mila Kunis - Family Guy) catches wind of this, joins the ranks of Reynolds Extract and begins 'befriending' Step, convincing him to sue RE in typical ambulance-chasing fashion. Joel, unhappy in his marriage, contemplates pursuing Cindy romantically, blinding him from the obvious. Will he wake up in time to save his marriage, company & friends from the brink?

This is another Omega-male film about a hapless guy who has acheived a decent standard of mediocrity but yearns for more out of life. His best friend, a pot-smoking bartender brilliantly played by Ben Affleck, encourages him to be happy with what he has but Joel doesn't seem to realise what he has until he is about to lose it all. Some very funny moments in this film complimented by some really solid performances by some household names, but ultimately feels a bit lacking in the story department. It was fairly obvious they were going for an Office Space feel to this but fails to deliver anywhere near the same level of humour. Nothing unique or mindblowing but a good watch nonetheless, recommended!!

My trawl through the comedies of Jason Bateman continues with `Extract', the third film comedy from Mike Judge, creator of the great `Office Space'. Whilst Bateman is a highlight of `Arrested Development', a series of full of highlights, his film career is far patchier consisting of more average comedies than the Farrelly Brothers and Judd Apatow put together. With the inclusion of Judge there is a better chance that `Extract' may actually stay in the memory - unfortunately that is not the case. Instead `Extract' is another passable, but forgettable, comedy from an actor who is starting to personify this type of film.

Bateman is Joel, a man who invented a way of improving the flavouring in various forms of extracts e.g. vanilla. He has become rich, but bored. His wife no longer seems interested in him, so he is tempted when a young and attractive new member of staff joins the factory. From here on out a comedy of errors leads to Joel being beaten up, cheated on and almost penniless. I've never been a fan of comedy that revels in the misery of others, but `Extract' just about manages to pull it off. Joel is a likable man who is misguided more than anything. Ben Affleck plays his stoner friend who leads him on the wrong path and it is nice to see him back in Kevin Smith mode. Kirsten Wiig is also good as Suzie, Joel's wife; she is able to soften what could be a very unlikable role.

The issues with `Extract' are that the script itself is just not interesting enough, not dark enough to be emotional, but not light enough to have any belly laughs. You are left with an almost staid comedy of manners that is saved by a series of likable actors. With people cheating or attempting to cheat, this film it is not something that would sit well with most people as a couple's movie, therefore Mike Judge has placed the film in limbo. Part morose drama, part knockabout comedy, but neither of these things.

With its setting in Middle America there is little in the film to justify watching it in HD, the DVD would suffice. Also the extras are very slim pickings on the version I watched.