The Raid - Movie Review (7/10)

Over the time that I have been running this page, and discussing movies in general, I have debated over how to rate something. Do I try and keep it limited to things only I like? Whether it contains a strong story, likeable characters, cool concepts and the like. Or, do I rate it based of what its attempting to do? And its movies like Gareth Evans’ Indonesian action-heaven, “The Raid”, that make me lean towards the latter.

The plot here is simply to serve the action, but, overall, its about a team of police raiding a building known to house some of the worst criminal with the head on the top floor. When they are spotted by a sole henchman and stranded on the 6th floor where no where to go, they must either fight their way out or die trying. Among these stranded is our hero, Rama, played by Indonesian martial artist Iko Uwais, who discovers a connection he has to the building that would ultimately save him. Now, I could hark on about how this premise is too barebones or how the characters are not good enough, but, honestly, those things would really only get in the way of what this film wants to be. And what that is a loud, no holds bars display of martial arts and ingenuity in escaping the inescapable that cleverly blends suspense and horror to create a tense atmosphere. It doesn’t waste our time in forcing us to get to know many of the police to create artificial sympathy – it can’t, really, because no sooner we would get an introduction that they would have a bullet shot clean through them. And as such, I actually appreciated a simple plot that only hints at a complex world right at the end (I think “John Wick” might have taken some inspiration from here).

Action based movies like this are only as strong as their lead star – get someone who isn’t willing to – or physically can’t – push themselves, and the movie flops. And that’s where the excellence of Iko Uwais comes in. Strong and nimble on his feet, he jumps from enemy to enemy with no pause, beating them down with whatever he can find. Its in the way the camera glides – the way each hit is exaggerated by a cutting camera, forced to handheld and to move quickly because its hero is too fast to catch in a standing shot. He truly elevates this flick. On the opposite side, we also have Yayan Ruhian, portraying the “mad dog” and who you might recognise from the end of “John Wick 3”. He possesses an even smaller stature than Uwais but his training in “Pencak Silat” allows him to fight two master level fighters at the same time and still put up a fight without having to compromise any choreography. Just watching these beasts go at one another brings much joy to the viewer.

Much praise should also be given to Gareth Evans. His direction and camerawork render these fights full of energy. You are never confused as to who is fighting who and where those punches are coming from – everything remains clearly in the frame, when it is switching angles every few seconds. The script also allows some showcase of cleverness from Rama and adds a layer to his character that goes beyond just physical prowess.

Overall, I was really happy with my experience watching “The Raid”. It clearly knows what it wants to be and purses that goal to its very end, never sacrificing its vision for other elements. I can’t wait to the sequel as soon as possible because if everything I’ve heard is true, its going to get even better. I give “The Raid” a 7/10.