Run time: 150mins       Certificate: 18
Director: Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Yayan Ruhian.
DVD Release Date: August 11, 2014 (UK)

Gareth Evans raises the bar once more. Then hits it with a baseball bat.

The Raid’s first entry in 2011 took audiences by surprise with its intensely choreographed fights and rip roaring pace that made the roller coaster look like midnight mass in comparison. Perhaps the only criticism that could be levelled at it was its basic story that though solid felt like little more than a means to set up its terrific scenario. From the offset its clear that The Raid 2, with its hefty 150 minute run time, is intent on improving upon this and without a doubt it succeeds.

Picking up right after the events of the first film, our hero Rama (Iko Uwais) finds himself forced into the criminal underworld of Jakarta as an undercover agent. In a clever move we see Rama take a back seat to the criminal dealings that lie at the centre of the story, this not only makes his undercover role all the more believable (after all he’s hired muscle) but it also makes the moments where he does take decisive action in the second half of the film all the more gratifying. The plot no longer serves as a reason for people to punch each other, its now the driving force of the film. The handful of intriguing plot threads echo gangster classics such as Infernal affairs and The Godfather, but all of these are handled deftly so that when it comes to the films last non-stop sequence of spectacular fight scenes you won’t be wondering why he just hit that guy with a car, allowing the action to take centre stage.

Viewers who came to see action needn’t worry, there’s more on offer here than the first and its all just as good if not better. From prison brawls between dozens of inmates and guards to a heart pumping car chase, The Raid 2 throws a hell of a variety of action at you. No matter how big the fights get, they’re always intimately realistic and brutal thanks to the excellent choreography of Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian. Needless to say the final fight is a tense showcase for the Silat martial art used predominantly in this franchise, and quite possibly the greatest fight scene to have ever been committed to screen.

Gareth Evans is the man for the job here, his attention to detail and ability to choose the perfect perspective allowing every aspect of the film to be shown in the best possible light. Hollywood effects are mostly put aside (there’s only a handful of slow motion shots) in favour of more practical techniques that are all the more impressive. A continuous shot that swoops from the action inside of one car through to the interior of another pursuing it will leave you in awe whilst the minimal cuts elsewhere will allow you to fully appreciate the action that’s happening in front of you in all its gory glory. This kind of budget might have been squandered on CGI on wires were it in someone else’s hands, but here its clear every dime has been utilised to enhance and perfect everything the first set out to achieve. Credit must also be given to Joseph Trapanese’s energetic soundtrack that perfectly compliments what’s happening on screen without reverting to needlessly bombastic tunes that could otherwise stifle the gripping build up of the encounters.

The new cast of characters all help round out the epic tale, with Arifin Putra standing out as the troubled Uco whose inner conflict acts as the catalyst for much of what occurs throughout. Very Tri Yulisman, Julie Estelle and Cecep Arif Rahman also deserve mention for bringing the films villainous heavy hitters to life, excelling in an unforgettable introductory sequence. Though once again our protagonist, Iko Uwais’s Rama, is the films greatest star. His performance is surprisingly subdued for an action film, and you’ll find yourself rooting for him even as he dispatches goons by the dozen because one can’t help but sympathise with him.

Perhaps in one of the films only missteps though we are treated to another appearance from Yayan Ruhian as the hard up Prakoso. His sub plot of sorts is introduced and played out in its entirety in the first half of the film but is arguably unnecessary as its impact on the films plot is minimal. Its hard to criticise it as it treats us to two fantastic fights and some solid character development for Uco, but for what is already a lengthy film it comes across as an excellent deleted scene rather than a necessary distraction.

Verdict

Not only has Gareth Evans solidified his place as the best director of action films with The Raid 2, but he has done so whilst proving they needn’t be popcorn films with little less than a premise for a plot. The Raid was revered by many as the best action film ever, and its gone unchallenged until now with The Raid 2, so we’ve no choice but to wait for The Raid 3.

Hits

+Unbeatable action
+Painstakingly shot
+Great and varied cast of characters
+That last fight
+Perfect soundtrack

Misses

–Prakoso sub plot feels like extended material

Overall Rating