There has been a
fair amount of hype about this film - and for once, it’s actually justified.
The Raid is
‘all that’ and more.
The reason for this is
simple, really. It’s an action film – that’s what it sets out to do right from
the beginning and that's what it delivers… in
spades!
The story here operates
on a purely functional level – there’s an apartment block run by a drug baron,
a team of the Indonesian equivalent of SWAT go in to try and take him out - only
to find themselves walking into a death-trap. Sure there are a few surprises
here and there but for the most part it just acts as a loose structure for a
slew of intense, brutal and insanely choreographed fights. Call it ‘action art-house’
if you will.
Silat, the Indonesian martial
art featured in this film, is a fast and vicious close quarters fighting style,
often using knives in combination with punches, kicks and elbows.
I can’t remember the
last time I watched a film and winced so much. The fighting is fast and hard
hitting – no slick Hollywood cuts and camera tricks here – people get hit, fall
awkwardly (often on objects with corners) and get maimed/killed continually
throughout the entire film – but the level of artistry that's been put into the
choreography of the many fight sequences is what raises this film above other
action films - or even other martial arts films for that matter.
It’s inventive without
being overly slick, the brutal functionality of the fighting adding a real
sense of danger and desperation to the scenes. In this scene – the threat
of being cut by a machete is very much in the fore.
Enjoyed that scene? The
whole film is pretty much like that – it’s insane!
In fact, I challenge
anyone to watch the film without letting out an audible gasp at some point –
there are so many purely visceral and awesome did-you-just-see-that?! moments.
The job the stunt team
did on this film is ridiculous. With barely any CG or wirework involved at all,
you know these guys got seriously knocked around in the making of this film.
Hats off to them!
Leading man Iko Uwais
is bound for stardom after his performance here, although comparisons to Tony
Jaa will inevitably arise. Whilst he doesn't recreate the stylish stunts and
showmanship of Jaa (sliding under a car whilst doing splits in Ong Bak – for example), Uwais’ fight
scenes are more frantic and full of (for a better word) ‘bad-assery’ than
anything else I have seen recently.
And speaking of
bad-asses, I haven’t even mentioned the character ‘Mad Dog’ yet. No spoilers
here - he has to be seen to be believed.
A mention also needs to go to the score. Redone for the international release of the film by
Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park fame), it is
a minimal yet vibrant electronic score that lends itself equally to the blistering
action as well as the quieter, more emotional or suspenseful scenes.
Its just amazing how a $1m
dollar budget film like this can blow away its $100m dollar Hollywood action
blockbuster counterparts – with a Welsh director at the helm no less!
In terms of its sheer gutsiness and unique sense of purpose (to which it more than delivers),The Raid comes highly
recommended. If you are a fan of action/martial arts
films – this one is not to be missed!
22 May 2012
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