Extract MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

Editor's Note: The Entertainment and Content ratings for this film are approximations. Read the review for more details.

Jason Bateman. Miramax Films. Written & directed by Mike Judge.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Jason Bateman stars a businessman just about to sell his flavor extract factory and retire. But before that can happen, a freak workplace accident sets in motion a series of disasters that put his business and personal life in jeopardy.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Dear Readers, I’ve passed on Extract, making a value assessment before seeing the film. This is a practice I usually avoid – making a judgment call before seeing a film. But I have lived in hope for too long when it comes to this era’s treatment of film comedy. Gone are the days when satire (Dr. Strangelove) made a lasting impression, or screwball wit (His Girl Friday) caused sides to split, or visual gags (Jerry Lewis’ The Nutty Professor) made us laugh without the aid of flatulence jokes. After being assaulted by the Jack Black/ Harold Ramis “comedy” Year One a couple of months ago, I finally decided no more R-rated comedies unless assured by publicists that the film has some substance. Extract is made by Mike Judge who created Beavis and Butt-Head. And after reading the MPAA rating info (R for language, sexual references and some drug use), and after looking at its poster, I’m guessing crudity will be a major element in Extract. If I should discover that there is actual wit involved or satire or even that the film is well executed, I may attend. But quite honestly, I don’t expect much from an industry trapped in the belief that the only way to placate young audiences is to assault them with bathroom humor.

That said, it would be wrong of me to tell you not to go to this film. Therefore, I will do no such thing. I’m just telling you why I won’t go. Some will belittle me for staying home and watching a 40-year-old movie on DVD rather than attending a comedy opening this weekend. They will wrongly come to the conclusion that I’m stuck in the past. Such is not the case (mostly). But I already endured the inane All About Steve, for which I should be decorated. Or inoculated. To further test my endurance for the type of comedy the year 2009 has so far presented is pushing it.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: 3 Arts Entertainment