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The Raid 2

The Raid 2

Movie
Director(s): 
In Theatres: 
Apr 11, 2014
Grade:
B-
Running Time: 
150 minutes

The Raid became somewhat of a cult hit in 2011 with its pure, uninterrupted action sequences that brought a whole new meaning to the genre. Its sequel, The Raid 2, ups the ante with even more over-the-top action and violence but also attempts at providing fans with a more story driven film. While the film excels at the former, it is also severely hindered by the latter.

The Raid 2 takes place hours after the events of the first film as Rama (Iko Uwais) is now forced to go undercover and join the ranks of the powerful Bangun crime family as one of their enforcers. In doing so he becomes friends with Uco (Arifin Putra), the next successor to inherit the family business. The longer he becomes imbedded in this life of crime, however, the greater the risk of him being discovered.

While the first film used its story as merely a backdrop for its amazing fight scenes, The Raid 2 attempts to flesh its characters out more. Rama and Uco are the main focus, as Rama struggles with living a criminal’s life while trying to stay good, and Uco believes he is ready to take over his family’s massive empire from his father. They’re two completely different characters yet they’re often seen in the same situations together.

The story isn’t all that special. If anything, it hinders the film from its action, as it’s simply a tool used to move from one fighting sequence to another. That being said, it’s absolutely worth sitting through the mediocre plot to get to the more spectacular fights.

The Raid 2 is absolutely brilliant in its display of aggression and brutality. Fight scenes are choreographed as flawlessly as exotic dances and display every blow in bone-crunching detail. Limbs shatter, blood oozes, and audiences will no doubt wince at the damage these characters can inflict on each other.

There are no subtleties about it either as The Raid 2 gets creative in its delivery. Two of the standout characters include “Hammer Girl” and “Baseball Bat Man.” Their names say it all. Together, they leave a path of blood and death in their wake. Watching her pull chunks of flesh from people’s bodies or him bash somebody’s skull in may be disturbing but it’s oh so devilishly satisfying. It’s the best action you’ll see on screen this year, no doubt.

Fans will be pleased that The Raid 2 is more of the same. While the story is drawn out and boring at times, the action more than makes up for it. In the end, that’s what matters and that’s what everyone will be talking about.

Matt Rodriguez
Review by Matt Rodriguez
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