The Raid 2 [Blu-ray]

The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) (Indonesian Action).Viewed on March 28th at the Regal E-Walk cinema in the heart of New York City.After surviving the apartment building raid, Iko Uwais goes undercover to take down an Indonesian crime syndicate that is feuding with an invasive Japanese yakuza clan in Jakarta. Things get out of control and everything goes to hell. That's the plot in a nutshell.The fighting is the main draw of this film. Martial arts films are frequently under-appreciated because critics tend to downplay the artistry of orchestrating a fight sequence. In some ways it's like staging a complex dance with extremely difficult performances by physical talents who have spent their entire lives perfecting their craft. In many cases it can be even more challenging than executing a good dramatic moment. With that said, "The Raid 2" is an exquisite ballet of death with an incredible variety of expertly crafted action sequences that have a grounded, realistic feel to them. It's hard to describe, but despite the insane action there's very little outrageousness present. The choreography here is some of the best ever put on film.There is no question that Uwais is currently the premiere martial arts star, and there is certainly no question that Gareth Evans is the greatest action director on the planet. This man is a genius in terms of visually expressing action through vivid, mind-blowing camera-work. This guy never directed a car chase sequence in his life, and yet his very first attempt is impressive. I did notice a bit more shaky cam in this film when compared to its predecessor, but one can see everything so it's not a problem. Evans is also a pro to create a crescendo of action where every fight seems to outdo the one before it. This generates an absolutely thrilling final hour that will go down in history.The gory violence of "The Raid 2" is a big "screw you" to PG-13 action movies. Some critics are already whining about the graphic bloodletting, but these are the same guys who hand out 90% approval ratings to movies with incompetent action and no edge – *cough* "The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire" (2013) *cough*. The gore in "The Raid 2" isn't just randomly thrown in either. It's a logical consequence of the situation and characters, and it is applied in very creative ways. I have heard that Evans was only coerced to cut a few "frames" due to the MPAA review, but I have no idea which frames those were because the now infamous shotgun kill is present in its full, unadulterated glory.The $4.5 million budget is an even bigger "screw you" to mega budget Hollywood blockbusters. "The Raid 2" has more thrilling action than every $100+ million superhero movie I've ever seen . . . at less than 4.5% of the cost. It's almost unbelievable what these guys can do with a limited budget.Given the exceptional quality of the action, the 148-minute runtime puts some pressure on the story to maintain its momentum between the violence. The first "Raid" received much criticism that asserted a generic story and undeveloped characters, but I felt that it nevertheless established a "feel" for the characters without the need for long-winded exposition. That "feel" can add quite a bit to an action film. "The Raid 2" spends more time setting up its premise, which results in some genuine plot and character development. It attempts to do this by taking a generic gangster template and infusing it with a sprawling crime saga that implements many characters. This is essentially a "chess board" setup where numerous pieces are first put into place, allowing for many possible confrontations. The viewer is therefore able to relish the moment when a particular piece attacks and takes down another, revealing the actual outcome amidst the countless possibilities.I suppose it helps to already be a fan of the actors and actresses here, since there are a number of familiar faces from both Indonesian and Japanese film industries. Needless to say, the performances are top notch. The Japanese actors have their little moments, but they could have been given more to do in this. Maybe "The Raid 3" will give them more time in the spotlight.Overall, "The Raid 2" is a very satisfying action film that justifies its hype after just one viewing. It's simply spectacular.

The sequel to the well-received THE RAID: REDEMPTION, THE RAID 2 is one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original in every department. The story, unlike its predecessor is grand in size and scope. Instead of being confined to a single location, Iko Uwais' Rama is sent undercover to ferret out corrupt cops who are being paid off by the gangsters who run the city. To do this, he gets sent to prison where he befriends the son of an Indonesian crime lord in order to get close to the family. Once he gets out, the story really takes off and you get an epic tale that recalls elements of THE GODFATHER and THE DEPARTED. You also get even more of the incredible fight scenes and over-the-top violence that made the first one so good. If there's one complaint I have, it's that the movie does bite off a little more than it can chew, though it doesn't lack for ambition. I did like the attempt to give some characters more depth, like Prakoso (Mad Dog, from the first RAID). Still, I would assume that most people come to these types of movies for the martial arts on display, and this one sure doesn't disappoint in that area. There's so many action sequences, I think I lost count and the good thing is that they don't really run together. Each one has a distinct quality or setting or something that sets it apart from the others. The standouts were a prison brawl towards the beginning, one that expertly cuts across three different locations, a riveting car chase and the final fight. The one that cuts across three locations also features two of the most interesting characters in the film: a guy whose weapon of choice is a baseball bat (and ball), and a deaf (and mostly blind) woman who wields two hammers. I'll give them extra points for creativity there. The cinematography and fight choreography was also improved from the last film, and Gareth Evans really showed his talent for exquisitely composed images, fluid camerawork and comprehensibility in the action scenes. The score also enhanced the visuals by adding tension, but there were also moments of quiet which were just as effective. Overall, THE RAID 2 is a considerable improvement over the first, even if the story does lag in parts. However, the action keeps things moving along at a nice clip and you won't feel like you've just watched a two and a half hour movie. One of the year's best so far, and one of the best modern action films period.