Extraction - Interesting, intelligent low-budget sci-fi

Have you ever seen an episode of the sci-fi series `The Outer Limits?' If you have, you'll probably be aware of the hour long science fiction shows which could be about anything out of the ordinary. You'll also probably be aware that they're pretty low budget and depend on the idea behind them as to whether they're good or not.

Luckily, for `Extraction's' sake, the idea makes the lack of budget and stars worthwhile. It's about a man who invents a machine to look into people's mind. The first thought from the authorities is `can it be used to ascertain guilt from potential criminals?' Therefore, they try it on a man accused of murder. However, nothing like this ever goes right and the inventor finds his consciousness trapped inside the accused man. Can he find a way out? And here we have our movie.

The direction is pretty standard. You may expect that being `inside someone's mind' may allow for some stunning `Inception-like' visuals. Well, there aren't any. It's a pretty linier story as he tries to make contact with his former family, but, if you can forgive its visual blandness, you should enjoy the ride. It's not a long film, which also makes it appear like an extended episode of a TV show.

The acting is good and it all ties up nicely, providing enough twists and turns along the way to keep you interested. Plus it even asks a few questions about `memory' and just how reliable it really is. All in all, if you like your sci-fi a little slower with no real action and more thinking, you should give this a try.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one