Review: The Raid Punches its Way to the Top.
- Jan 17, 2017
- 2 min read
The Raid is a lean, mean, killing machine, a meat grinder that few will survive. It’s violent, action packed, and once it begins, it doesn’t stop.
An early morning raid on an apartment block wherein resides one of Jakarta’s more powerful crime lords. At first, it’s textbook but, before long, it all goes inevitably wrong. Bodies are hitting the floor, blood is soaking the walls and it’s barely 8 am. It’s six men against dozens in a fight to the top from which there will be no reprieve.
The Raid is pretty light on story and, all told, it’s not much more than a vessel to drive the violence. And what glorious violence it is. Arguably one of the best martial arts films ever, The Raid showcases some truly stunning hand to hand fight scenes. From fists to feet to machetes, it’s unrelenting in its brutality and makes you feel every hit.
Iko Uwais, the actor behind Rama, the lead character, is skilled in Silat, his martial art of choice, and many of the other actors are more than proficient in various forms of unarmed combat. These guys can move faster than anyone I’ve seen before and they’re not even at their best.
It’s all brought together by the solid direction of Gareth Evans. The camera work is clear and the action is easy to follow. Even when it’s shaky and trying to track a moving fight, it’s purposeful and puts the likes of Bourne and Taken to shame.
The Raid really is all about its action and without it, it would have been forgotten long ago. But it’s the displays of raw, unflinching combat that propel it far and above the competition. The Raid isn’t playing around. If you like action or martial arts, give it a watch, but it’s not one for the faint of heart.
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