I've skipped to #10 before I do #9 because I felt the need to tell you about the Raid 2 before it leaves the cinema, particularly as it has such a limited season. In Brisbane this was only showing at Southbank Cineplex, Sunnybank Hoyts and Garden City Event Cinemas. And the number of screenings is limited too so you've got to carefully plan if you want to see it. And you should want to see it, and seeing it in the cinema is absolutely essential. A big screen and lots of company to clap and cheer along with you is a must to enjoy the bone-crunching violence to the fullest. The subtitle being "Berandal" - Indonesian for 'thug' - should be a key sign of what's to come.
A film so violent and brutal it makes the first one (see my review a couple of years ago) look like a bunch of fluffy kittens batting around a ball of wool, this will thrill action fans and amaze those who think that Arnie/Stallone/Jet Li are the ultimate action stars. Please, please, please do not let the fact that is in Indonesian with subtitles stop you from seeing this awesome movie. Indonesian star of the future Iko Uwais returns as good cop Rama, whose resourcefulness and absolutely gobsmacking fighting skills got him through the tower block from hell and out the other side.
The Raid 2 picks up almost directly where the first film ended, as Rama brings out the dirty cop who caused the first chaotic operation, only to find that the police have a plan in place to catch an even bigger fish. This will involve Rama leaving his wife and young son and going undercover to infiltrate a gang by befriending the son of the leader, in the hope that he can work his way up the chain to find the corrupt police who are helping the gangs. What should be a relatively quick mission turns into a multi-year nightmare for Rama who has to go deep if he is to make the cut in the gang.
The Raid 2 is a much longer film with a much more complex storyline than the first movie, so be prepared for that. However, it doesn't mean they have taken the foot off the action pedal at all. There are multiple big set-pieces in this movie which will take your breath away. Two fights in prison open Rama's account, before the film widens out as we see him befriend Uco, son of Bangun who heads up a gang which provides protection to local criminals for a price. They are up against the Goto family who may or may not be connected to a stylish criminal called Bejo. Bejo seems to be trying to play off both sides in the hope of winning his own territory. Rama and Eka alternate their time between helping Uco with enforcement of the family business and keeping the petulant youngster out of trouble with his father and women. As Bejo orchestrates trouble between the rival gangs, Rama finds himself out of his depth and on his own as events spiral towards a showdown.
You will need to concentrate to keep straight all the characters and who is double crossing who, but in the end the movie is still about the fight scenes. Which are absolutely spectacular as new enemies are introduced - the key ones being "Baseball Bat Man" and "Hammer Girl" but the ultimate is "The Assassin". A fight between Rama and the Assassin, who both are obviously very skilled in the martial art known as "pencak silat" is just mind-blowing although it features one of the least believeable moments of both films in my opinion (a slashed leg presents no trouble at all until convenient). However a new aspect is introduced with an absolutely heart stopping car chase. I was actually ducking in my seat as a driver pulled up alongside Eka with a gun, plus wincing as a motorcyclist cops machine gun fire through his helmet at point blank range. Like I said, super violent!!!!
The film just never lets up, providing the ultimate action experience but with an intelligent storyline. The best part is that it is perfectly poised for the Raid 3! Can't wait.
This movie gets 5 out of 5!Do not miss out on this if you like action films.
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