The Raid: Redemption Review

The Raid: Redemption (2012)

I grew up watching martial arts films with poor dubbing, so when a foreign movie is released that I am interested in, I prefer to watch it with subtitles. Thankfully, most of my favorite martial artists are mainly in the US now, so subtitles are not required to often. But every now and then, some new martial arts actor appears making noise outside North America, and one did. I heard a buzz about this new martial arts actor named Iko Uwais. I hit the web and YouTube to find out more, which led me to the movie ‘The Raid: Redemption’.

A few things on why I was curious and excited to watch this movie; first, the movie introduces the Indonesian martial art ‘Pencak Silat’. How many movies have you seen use that style? Second, Iko Uwais is a true practitioner, studying for over 10 years, and is an exhibition champion of the style, so we can expect a great performance, which many already compare him Jet Li and Tony Jaa. Exciting!

The Raid: Redemption is the story about a crime lord that has bunkered down in an apartment building, who has been defending the building from gang rivals and cops for years making the place a no-go zone. Eventually, a rookie cop named Rama played by Iko Uwais and a 20 man SWAT team lead by Sergeant Jaka played by Joe Taslim is ordered and guided by Lieutenant Wahyu to take out the crime lord. Things end up badly where it turns into a fight for survival full of action, gunplay and body counts.

Iko Uwais delivers an outstanding performance. His presents a creative fighting style that can remind you of Jackie Chan’s stunts and antics, but graceful and quick to the eyes like Jet Li (The Expendables). He can easily turn up the heat, resembling a ferocious and brutal style like Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior), but has a unique enough style that can distinguish himself from other martial artists, especially when he is using a knife and police stick.

Don’t watch this movie for a story, for its nothing ground breaking or new. What makes this movie amazing is in the action and fight scenes. With the help of the supporting cast, they deliver a well-rounded performance of intense fight and gunplay scenes that is an accelerating ride full of non-stop action.

Overall, this movie was awesome and entertaining! To see the Indonesian martial art ‘Pencak Silat’ in action was inspiring. It resembled a number of styles, but had a unique enough style that I am curious to learn it. Also, watching the movie with subtitles didn’t really bother me, for there is very little dialogue during the action scenes to distract you from enjoying.

I give ‘The Raid: Redemption’ 4 out of 4 smiles. A must see!