Extract Movie Review: Mike Judge Returns to Form
Extract is a Sometimes Subtle, Always Amusing Ensemble Cast Comedy
When writer/director Mike Judge's now classic film "Office Space" hit theaters in 1999, it was apparent that the "Beavis & Butthead" and "King of the Hill" creator was more than capable of putting his mark on the cinematic scene as he did the small screen. The film launched a million catch phrases and became a staple of hundreds of thousands of top 10 lists.
The Plot and Characters of Extract
Mike Judge and his quirky characters are back with the new film "Extract", with an amazing comedy ensemble cast led by talented everyman Jason Bateman. Bateman plays Joel, the owner of a company that makes, well, extract. He's surrounded at work by a gang of misfits, such as Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Brian (the amazing J.K. Simmons). He has a sweet but disinterested wife Suzie (played ably by the underrated Kristen Wiig), an obnoxious neighbor Nathan (David Koechner), a bartending stoner friend with a heart of gold in Dean (scene stealing Ben Affleck), and a crush on a new temp named Cindy (Mila Kunis).
Along the way, Joel has marriage trouble, the apparent rise of problematic workers, his annoying neighbor's incessant bids for attention, the scheming of Cindy, and more. Joel tries to retain his moral integrity through it all, but soon finds out that isn't going to be as easy as it seems.
Does Extract Work?
"Extract" is considerably less laugh out loud funny than it's predecessor, but is still loads of fun and many subtle turns of humor to go with the always quotable dialog. It sways from scene to scene with the introductions of new characters and new situations, varying from sweet to absurd in a matter of moments. The film's opening sequence is hilarious, and sets a nice tone for the next 90 minutes.
Judge does some of his best writing to date in this film, balancing the realistic performance of the dependable and likable Bateman with his more unorthodox characters, such as Affleck's Dean and a host of others who pop in and out throughout the movie. Another notable character, the hollow beefcake Brad, is played by Dustin Milligan in what might be a breakthrough performance for him. Also, rock star/reality show entrepeneur Gene Simmons turns in an appropriately cutthroat spot as a hot shot lawyer.
Judging Mike Judge
As always, Judge seems to have a feel for supporting characters, almost as if he's resurrecting the memory of people he's known and using them in his films. The actors are well cast, the plot is light but effective, and the jokes are frequent and mostly work.
"Extract" is a welcome return to form for Judge after 2006's divisive comedy "Idiocracy". It's slighter than "Office Space", the film to which all Judge works will inevitably be compared, but it's not a bad little film. It should make most audiences laugh, or at the very least, giggle.
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