Film 35 - The Raid 2

The Raid 2 - 31/03/2014

I watched the Raid about a year ago knowing very little of it before I pressed "play".  What I was blessed with is probably the best action film I have seen for years, and some of the most brutal fight scenes ever.  In my opinion, every action film fan needs to see this film.  Yes, the plot is very simplistic and is basically a promotional video for Silat (the fighting style used by Iko Uwais).

Upon hearing that Cineworld would be doing an advanced screening for unlimited card holders of "The Raid 2", I jumped at the chance and booked my ticket early.  Having seen the trailer, I was giddy.

The Raid 2 takes place almost immediately after the events of the first film and sees our main hero Rama, beaten, battered and bruised being told that the tower block they have just cleared out was full of small fishes in the big pond of criminals and he needs to go under cover to befriend the big bosses son (who currently is in prison), leaving family behind to protect them. 

Again, the plot is pretty simplistic, but Gareth Evans (the director, writer and editor) has decided to go for a little more dialog with this rather than just bosh, bosh, whallop.  With the plot being so simplistic and predictable, this just seems like padding and with the running time clocking just over 2 and a half hours, they do drag a little.  It is nothing new, crime bosses son wants more responsibility so plans to overthrow his father figure by teaming up with another rival gang. Cue betrayal, corruption, and hitmen.  

Saying that, as soon as the action starts (and believe me there is plenty of action), The Raid 2 becomes thrilling again.

At certain points, there could have been someone at the front of the cinema with cue cards, as everyone made the same noises at the same time.  The sight of a leg going a way it shouldn't do was followed by a collaborative "Oooooh", the over use of a kitchen cabinet received "ouches" then giggles as the audience began to see face prints in the chrome.

Gareth Evans could have cut this film down by 30 mins or even more and it still would have the same effect, the over-padded dialog sections are a breather between the highs of the action, but they do go on a little.

I must say though, the final 30 minutes of the film is just pure brilliance, it is right back to the "computer game boss battles".  Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Man (yes, they are called that) have an awesome corridor fight scene which is then followed by possibly one of the best fight scenes ever on camera (in the aforementioned kitchen)

Very good film, but I think The Raid is still the better one to watch.