Written and directed by Gareth Evans,
the movie focusses on an ill-fated attempt by a team of elite cops to storm a
building that happens to be the stronghold of an infamous gangster, Tama (Ray
Sahetapy). The opening shots of the movie introduce us to Rama (Iko Uwais), a
rookie cop and a soon-to-be father. Rama has a long day ahead, thanks to the
aforementioned raid.
Rama and his teammates are led by
Sergeant Jaka (Joe Taslim). Tama is assisted by Mad Dog and Andy, the brawn and
brains respectively. The team enters the building as planned but find
themselves the target of an array of opponents, including machete wielding
thugs and sharpshooters. Does Rama manage to come out with life and limb intact?
Gareth shows a deft hand in direction
and has incorporated some twists and turns along the way that may not surprise
astute viewers, but does help raise the movie a notch above than being just
another run-of-the-mill actioner.
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| Iko Uwais in 'The Raid: Redemption' |
Iko has the dashing looks and martial
arts skills and looks all set to have a successful career ahead. He also
handled the stunts (along with Yayan Ruhian) and the action choreography is
just plain amazing. Special mention must be made of Rama’s encounter with the
machete gang. This is easily the best fight scene in the movie, possibly
rivaled by the climactic fight with Mad Dog.
Some of the Mad Dog’s scenes reminded
me of The Dark Knight’s Joker. I believe the director wanted to
create a sense of dread of an implacable enemy akin to the Joker. While Joker
was a madman bent on anarchy using his smarts, Mad Dog is the polar opposite.
He lives up to his name and uses his physical skills to beat his opponent(s) to
death.
Ray Sahetapy is a veteran actor and gives
us a great villain in Tama, who is quite ruthless when it comes to protecting
his turf.
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| Ray Sahetapy as Tama |
The theme music by Mike Shinoda
enhances the movie, especially in the climactic scenes.
This is one heck of an action movie
with enough character moments for the actors to become more than just cardboard
cutouts as is usually the case in movies of this genre.
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Sources: Wikipedia, ActionFest, AceShowBiz
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I agree that it is a good action movie.But I don't really thought that the Mad Dog character was that fleshed out or that interesting.In Hard Boiled for example there also was a Mad Dog character that was one of the villains not to be messed with, until the scene in the hospital where he draws the line of how far he is willing to take it and not killing innocents.This is after he ruthlessly shooting cops.The irony.But he showed compassion and it was damn effective.Not only did the Mad Dog character become iconic it made Anthony Wong even more menacing.I did not see something like this in The Raid at all.
ReplyDeleteI will check out 'Hard Boiled'. Sounds to be a good action movie. Thanks for the info.
DeleteI saw The Raid today and it was really terrific. I've heard some rumours but hope Hollywood wouldn't dare to remake this :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the movie as well. Thanks for stopping by Zoe.
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