The Raid: Redemption Review

There is a certain apprehension that one has when it comes to action films coming from Far East. Somehow, movies coming from Korea, Thailand and Indonesia haven't been all that impressive except for a few notable ones. While their various fight forms are usually the mainstay of the narrative (or at least these are the ones which aim for a global audience), there are also a few VFX affairs thrown around occasionally. This is the reason why I wasn't too sure about the content that Indonesian film 'The Raid: Redemption' (originally titled 'Serbuan maut') may have to offer.

To my utter surprise though, all such apprehensions were misplaced since 'The Raid: Redemption' turned out to be a cracker of a film that engages you right through it's 100 odd minutes duration and doesn't allow a single dull moment to make you look the other way. Rest assured, when the film is on, you won't take your eye away from screen to check that email or news update on your cellphone.

The film's basic plot is simple. Cops have to take on baddies and for that they have to impregnate a building, which is nothing less than a fort for those who are inside it and safe & secure for years. However the SWAT team decides to take up a challenge and led by Rama (played by Iko Uwais), it does step in, only to realise that this was the bloodiest battle it would ever fight.

What makes 'The Raid: Redemption' special is the fact that it doesn't even pretend to be intellectually stimulating drama that would have mind games involved. Instead it keeps its mission straight and simple which is to kill anyone and everyone who comes in sight with whatever weapon available. It could be a gun or sheer fist power but the idea is to eliminate your enemy. This is where the traditional fight form comes into picture as it it unfolded in the modern day avtar with bodies falling down at every nook and corner. Well, literally!

The realistic setting of the film also means that there is brutality on play in the as-is manner with no edits making the visuals look any better. Smashing heads, piercing faces, passing bullets and breaking bones couldn't have more ferocious as seen in this Gareth Evans which doesn't even take a breather when it comes to blood and gore filling up the screen.

While this means that for those looking for thrills and twists in the tale there would be precious little in the offering, for the lovers of such action and the ones addicted to video games that follow the same pattern (i.e. pass one level and gain bonus points before stepping into the next), the film works as a true poison.

As the film unfolded, I remembered one of the key sequences from Korean film 'Old Boy' where the central protagonist took on dozens of baddies at the same time. A long drawn sequence, it was quite noticeable for the sheer reality that unfolded and the way it stunned the viewer due to an inherent brutality quotient to it. Well, if you enjoyed that sequence and could gleefully sit through it without blinking an eyelid, 'The Raid: Redemption' is the film for you. What was present for only 10 odd minutes in 'Old Boy' extends to full 100 minutes here, and that too with far more punch and force.

Rating: ***1/2