”Extract” is okay, clever, and funny, but never reaches the level of a new comedy classic, like creator Mike Judge’s “Office Space”.

The movie does earn its “R” rating with adult themes… its not gratuitous or overly raunchy, but it does have language that you might want younger viewers to avoid.

 Like “Office Space” and “Idiocracy” before it – Judge creates some great characters in “Extract”.   It starts with Jason Bateman’s solid turn as Joel – the boss of the factory making extract…  his talkative neighbor, Nathan, played expertly by David Koechner… J.K. Simmons nails another supporting role as Joel’s factory manager … Ben Affleck pulls off Joel’s goofy friend Dean… Mila Kunis is convincing as the scheming new girl Cindy… while Kristen Wiig, Clifton Collins Jr., Beth Grant, Gene Simmons, and Dustin Milligan add to the solid mix with their characters.

Where the characters are fun and interesting, and there are some funny jokes – the story never completely connects with everyone or gains any real comedic momentum - just several mildly amusing jokes and funnies.  The movie is very deliberate and matter-of-fact, even slow for some… and while it gets where its going in the story, it is not overly entertaining.

While the cult-classic Mike Judge movie “Office Space” focuses on workers in an office, this movie focuses more on the boss in a factory… those two differences may be the reason why it didn’t connect to me on a personal level.  I’m curious if this is funnier to anyone who has worked in a factory and/or is the boss of a business.  (If so, please post a comment below)

THE BOTTOM LINE:

The occasional moments of laugh-out-loud comedy and mildly interesting story keeps the movie going, but its headed ultimately to a disappointing end… but not because of the cast.  “Extract” is not “Office Space”, more along the lines of Judge’s “Idiocracy”.. interesting, but not great.  I give it 6.5 out of 10 … but do want to give the movie/studio credit for the scenes in the trailer being cut from the beginning of the movie – so it didn’t spoil anything.

“Extract”

(2009) (rated: R for language, sexual references and some drug use)
(1 hr, 32 min)

Starring: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, J.K. Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr., Dustin Milligan, David Koechner, Beth Grant, Gene Simmons, Matt Schulze, Jenny O’Hara

Writer/Director: Mike Judge  (Idiocracy (2006), Office Space (1999), “Beavis and Butt-Head” (1993-1997))

Genre: Comedy

The Plot: Joel, the owner of an Extract plant, tries to contend with myriad personal and professional problems, such as his potentially unfaithful wife and employees who want to take advantage of him.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

 
“Extract” poster courtesy Miramax

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