The Raid: Redemption

An assault of pure physicality that more than anything else harms its own aura. With the label "action spectacle of the year" or even the decade, the expectation automatically arises that something more will emerge from The Raid: Redemption than just a bloody brawl. It doesn't – and it's not necessary. In the catalog of Indonesian fatalities, the boiling adrenaline was most heightened by seemingly inconspicuous but deadly Mad Dog Yayan Ruhian. His main performance, in which he gradually transitions from rubber jumps, twists, and turns to gathering the last remnants of strength for the hardest blow, literally takes your breath away. (12/18/2014)

A film that has become a cult classic over the years. When thinking about the best in the action genre of the 21st century, The Raid: Redemption is the first to come to mind. I never would have expected this from an Indonesian film, but it's true. Americans should take notes from this approach. Perhaps a big part of this is Iko Uwais, whose charismatic presence convinced me of his role, though the same can be said for the others, particularly "Mad Dog" played by Yayan Ruhian, who will remain etched in my memory for a long time. It’s incredible how a simple premise (a building overrun by thugs) can be so engaging; normally, I might criticize this, but in this case, it surprisingly didn’t bother me. The film relies heavily on hand-to-hand combat; sure, there are shootouts, but machetes, various sharp objects of all kinds, and bare hands take center stage. Such choreography is rare elsewhere; the camera maintains a steady perspective, so you truly appreciate the action on screen (unlike much of the Western competition, where everything shakes, and you get nothing from it). The R rating is worth noting; it's not for the faint of heart. The ending is also well-built up. I have no complaints. I give it 91%. (10/28/2019)

A bloody punch-up that is the perfect embodiment of the action adventure movie. The plot is maybe as simple as the thought processes of the Hotel Paradise guests, a SWAT team raids an apartment block of bad-ass killers and come up against tough resistance, but prevail. Amazing choreography, no shortage of brutality, blood splatters, fight dosage according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Yayan Ruhian is a killing machine and Iko Uwais is a grandmaster. Shinoda’s soundtrack is great for this movie. (07/19/2012)

A handful of cops, a billion Asian butchers and a building where even Chuck Norris would shit his pants. In other words, a manual for success. We can finally confirm that the aura of an exceptional film built around this Indonesian action sensation since its première at the Toronto Film Festival a few months ago is the real deal. The Raid: Redemption is the kind of film you really don’t see every day. A relentless action ride, brutal, intense and at times terrifying. It’s hard to talk in detail about this beauty, it has to be seen. It’s been long since a genre five-stars was this pure :) (05/28/2012)

Unbelievable carnage that surpasses most of what has been filmed so far. Where most directors shy away from pushing the envelope and move the camera or cut the shot, Evans keeps it in the frame with maximum detail in every scene. Very bloody, very brutal, and incredibly explosive in terms of choreography and audiovisual aspects. Is it possible to shoot something like this on such a pitiful budget? Americans (and everyone else) should take note, this is how pure action is filmed. The plot is irrelevant. (08/14/2012)