I suppose I probably shouldn't have gone into Extract with such high expectations. I usually try to keep my hopes in check but sometimes that just isn't possible, you know what I mean? There are some writers, directors, and stars that have given me reason to really love their work so that when a new project comes up, I cannot help but get a little excited. Extract is one of those movies.

With his last two films, Office Space and Idiocracy, Mike Judge has positioned himself as a man who knows his comedy and knows how to make a very funny movie (particularly the former). Well, I am not going to go so far as say this is a bad movie, it isn't — it just isn't what I was hoping for. I guess this is what happens when one of your prior films is a classic of sorts. It's hard to return to those heights (nor should one try).

Extract centers around the stress of running a company that you do not feel fully invested in along with a healthy dose of sexual frustration. The problem is that I kept waiting for it to really take off and it never really did. It kept this stead pace of jokes that kept me interested, but the story never really hit home and I did not find any of it to be downright hilarious.

There are a couple of threads that weave their way through the film. You have Joel (Jason Bateman) trying to rekindle things with his wife, Suzie (Kristen Wiig), the problem being that if he does no get home before 8 PM, her sweatpants are more effective than a chastity belt. Joel also feels attracted to the new temp at his extract factory, Cindy (Mila Kunis), but he will not cheat on his wife. His buddy, Dean (Ben Affleck) the bartender, suggests the use of a gigolo to induce his wife to cheat and then cheat himself with a clear conscience. Then there is the part about Cindy, who is a con-woman, who takes a job at the factory for her own ulterior motives. The final primary thread concerns a factory worker named Step (Clifton Collins Jr.), who suffered a highly unfortunate accident and is planning to sue the company.

In addition to those main pieces, there are also a few minor threads in the mix to add flavor. These elements include David Koechner as an overly friendly boor of a neighbor who seemingly waits in the bushes to talk your ear off, and a line worker who talks more than he works and is suspicious of the Mexican-American co-workers. There are also rumors of the factory being sold circling around the floor, which is manned by an assortment of dysfunctional folks.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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