Film Review: The Raid (The Raid: Redemption)

It's safe to say that when it comes to action movies at the cinemas things can feel a little stale sometimes. I like films such as the Transporter series, Fast Five and The Avengers as much as the next person, but we live in an age where the action isn't really focused on, with hyper-fast 'MTV editing' so you can barely tell who is beating the living tar out of who.

Of course films like Ong-Bak, Warrior King and Ip Man give action the attention it deserves, but unless you know of the work of Tony Jaa or Donnie Yen, these films could easily pass you by. But somehow, The Raid managed to get a countrywide cinema release, and this is at a time where The Avengers is still ruling the roost, so it watching a film like this on the big screen really did feel like a breath of fresh air. And it has subtitles, and those 'sort' of films only ever hit the multiplex when they have an Academy Award nomination...

Bone crunching ruck #87

The plot is pretty straightforward and we waste no time launching into it. A SWAT team become trapped in an apartment tenement building which is run by a ruthless mobster, who instructs his men and tenants alike to kill the team. All hell breaks loose, and we have a massive fight on our hands.

That is pretty much it. Sure, there a few twists and turns in the plot along the way, and it's not exactly difficult to see these coming, but you don't go into these sort of films expecting labyrinthine story telling. The film is just 100 minute of bone-crushing action. It begins with bullets, and when they run out the characters use their fists, and whatever other weapons aren't nailed down.

The fights involve the Indonesian fighting style 'Pencak Silat' which is just incredible to watch. A US remake (groan) has already been greenlit, and I can't see Hollywood taking any chances using a fighting style like that with actors, and that is really the heart of the film. And there is no-one in the States that would be cast like Iko Uwais (Rama) or Yayan Ruhian (the frankly insane, unstoppable Mad Dog.) Sure, there are fighters like that, but they will never be cast in a Hollywood movie.

You can see the films inspiration, the classic Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan films, but 'danger in a building' actioners like Die Hard. If you have even a passing interest in any of these films, The Raid is for you.


*****
Welsh director Gareth Evans has not done anything wholly original here, but that doesn't even matter. The Raid is the best action film in years, and gives the audience nothing but seat edge thrills from beginning to end, and some of the best fight sequences (which are shot properly!) you'll ever see. Check it out while you can.