Director: Gareth Evans
Writer: Gareth Evans (Screenplay)
Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Ray Sahetapy
Plot: A S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Brutal Beautiful Action Flick
Story: The Raid starts as we meet Indonesian Police Officer Rama (Uwais) who puts himself through intense daily work outs while balancing his beliefs and a pregnant wife. Rama is part of an elite SWAT unit of 20 Men that is trying to take down drug lord Tama (Sahetapy). The unit led by Jaka (Taslim) informs the unit of the biggest threats including Mad Dog (Ruhian) & Andi (Alamsyah) and that there will be a threat on each and every level of the 30 story building.
With the details in place we are left in the hands of Gareth Evans and his ability to make this action packed brutal battle filled with twists turns and plenty of blood shed to unfold, but who will make it to the top to capture the drug lord if any.
The Raid has what would be considered a very simple story, police break into apartment block, a raid if you will to take down a drug lord. By keeping the story simple we let the action takeover. We do get a few twists along the way which does keep us guessing but this is a story that is all about action.
Actor Review
Iko Uwais: Rama is the young police officers with a family back home who is part of this mission of taking over the drug lord Tama’s building. He is the only one that questions whether it is a good idea because he knows that his wife is expecting their first child. He finds himself alone in the battle against what seems like insurmountable odds to make it out alive. Iko is amazing in this action film showing off all his skills in combat making himself a major name to be looked at in the future.
Joe Taslim: Jaka is the man leading the SWAT team, he is determined to get his man and will stop at nothing to make sure the drug lord doesn’t make it out alive. He strict orders put his whole team at risk but he is a man of honor. Joe is good in this role being strong when needed for his men.
Donny Alamsyah: Andi is one of the two right hand men of Tama’s, but he is holding a secret that could be the only chance for one man to make it out alive. Donny is good in this role giving us the mystery we need in the story.
Yayan Ruhian: Mad Dog is the other right hand man of Tama but he is bat shit crazy, a man that enjoys killing people and with his own hands being his favorite combat choice. Yayan makes for a great villain who in outstanding in all the fights he takes part in.
Support Cast: The Raid has a supporting cast that includes both police and gangs which all give great combat scenes.
Director Review: Gareth Evans – Gareth proves that he will be one of the biggest names in directing with potential shining through.
Action: The Raid is one of the most breath-taking action movies ever made.
Crime: The Raid puts us in the middle of the crime world between gangs and police.
Thriller: The Raid keeps us on edge from start to finish wondering what will happen next.
Settings: The Raid keeps nearly all of the film set in the apartment block showing us how tight the combat will be.
Special Effects: The Raid has amazing special effects used to show the kills looking brutally realistic.
Suggestion: The Raid is one that everyone should watch. (Must Watch)
Best Part: 2 on 1 fight.
Action Scene Of The Film: They are all amazing.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Has one.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $1.1 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Tagline: 1 Ruthless Crime Lord, 20 Elite Cops, 30 Floors of Hell
Trivia: Before becoming an actor, Iko Uwais worked as an operational driver for a cellphone operator company for 2-3 years.
Overall: Absolutely breath taking action film that has jaw dropping fighting scenes.
Rating
