Maybe "The Raid 3" will give them more time in the spotlight. The Japanese actors have their little moments, but they could have been given more to do in this. Needless to say, the performances are top notch. I suppose it helps to already be a fan of the actors and actresses here, since there are a number of familiar faces from both Indonesian and Japanese film industries. This brief, split-second moment can communicate a lot about her character. It was slightly child-like and innocent, like she was going out to play with friends. I really liked that brief moment where Hammer Girl picked up her hammers on the bar shelf. I am a bit disappointed that both "Hammer Girl" and Baseball Bat Man" are only given a few scenes, but they are certainly memorable. I really liked some of the supporting characters in this, and actually felt a bit sad when they died (even some of the villains!). The viewer is therefore able to relish the moment when a particular piece attacks and takes down another, revealing the actual outcome amidst the countless possibilities. This is essentially a "chess board" setup where numerous pieces are first put into place, allowing for many possible confrontations. It attempts to do this by taking a generic gangster template and infusing it with a sprawling crime saga that implements many characters. "The Raid 2" spends more time setting up its premise, which results in some genuine plot and character development. That "feel" can add quite a bit to an action film. The first "Raid" received much criticism that asserted a generic story and undeveloped characters, but I felt that it nevertheless established a "feel" for the characters without the need for long-winded exposition. Given the exceptional quality of the action, the 148-minute runtime puts some pressure on the story to maintain its momentum between the violence. It's almost unbelievable what these guys can do with a limited budget.
"The Raid 2" has more thrilling action than every $100+ million superhero movie I've ever seen. The $4.5 million budget is an even bigger "screw you" to mega budget Hollywood blockbusters. I have heard that Evans was only coerced to cut a few "frames" due to the MPAA review, but I have no idea which frames those were because the now infamous shotgun kill is present in its full, unadulterated glory. It's a logical consequence of the situation and characters, and it is applied in very creative ways. The gore in "The Raid 2" isn't just randomly thrown in either. Some critics are already whining about the graphic bloodletting, but these are the same guys who hand out 90% approval ratings to movies with incompetent action and no edge – *cough* "The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire" (2013) *cough*. The gory violence of "The Raid 2" is a big "screw you" to PG-13 action movies.
This generates an absolutely thrilling final hour that will go down in history.
Evans is also a pro to create a crescendo of action where every fight seems to outdo the one before it. I did notice a bit more shaky cam in this film when compared to its predecessor, but one can see everything so it's not a problem.
This guy never directed a car chase sequence in his life, and yet his very first attempt is impressive. This man is a genius in terms of visually expressing action through vivid, mind-blowing camera-work.
There is no question that Uwais is currently the premiere martial arts star, and there is certainly no question that Gareth Evans is the greatest action director on the planet. The choreography here is some of the best ever put on film. It's hard to describe, but despite the insane action there's very little outrageousness present. With that said, "The Raid 2" is an exquisite ballet of death with an incredible variety of expertly crafted action sequences that have a grounded, realistic feel to them. In many cases it can be even more challenging than executing a good dramatic moment. In some ways it's like staging a complex dance with extremely difficult performances by physical talents who have spent their entire lives perfecting their craft. Martial arts films are frequently under-appreciated because critics tend to downplay the artistry of orchestrating a fight sequence. The fighting is the main draw of this film. Things get out of control and everything goes to hell. After surviving the apartment building raid, Iko Uwais goes undercover to take down an Indonesian crime syndicate that is feuding with an invasive Japanese yakuza clan in Jakarta. Viewed on March 28th at the Regal E-Walk cinema in the heart of New York City. The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) (Indonesian Action). Note: Check me out as the "Asian Movie Enthusiast" on YouTube, where I review tons of Asian movies. The most highly anticipated film of my life, and it actually met those expectations