INTRODUCTION
Iko Uwais stars in Indonesian action crime thriller ‘The Raid 2’ or ‘The Raid 2: Berandal’ which was released in 2014 and was directed by Gareth Evans. This film serves as a sequel to the first film ‘The Raid: Redemption’ released in 2011, deepening the story of Rama, a corrupt police officer, as he dives deeper into the criminal world of Jakarta. Unlike its predecessor which was confined to carful combat within a single structure, The Raid 2 expands outward, bringing forward a sprawling crime saga with intricate plotting, stunning choreography, and merciless action.
The narrative begins a few hours after the events of the first film. Inhabitants of the high-rise building corners Rama (Iko Uwais), one of the officers present during the raid, bunting him out with bottles of water. With the windows secured, he pops open a small canister packed with air, earning his some precious freedom. Now he must report to Bungawar, head of the anti-corruption task force. From the outset, he realizes that the order of things is far from settled. Surprisingly enough, the fight he encountered features only the tip of the iceberg in a conspiracy involving senior police officials and crime empires.
Attempting to take down the corrupt system from within, he goes undercover. Undercover brings down the corrupt system from within. He takes the disguise against his will, fully aware it might spell doom for his kin. To keep his narrative authentic, Rama gets arrested and imprisoned, where he meets Uco, son of Bangun, the notorious crime lord. During a violent and chaotic prison riot in the mud-soaked yard, Rama saves Uco’s life, securing his position in Bangun’s organization once he gets out.
In the next two years, Rama secretly reporting to Bunawar manages to rise in the ranks within Bangun’s criminal empire. He receives an unparalleled education on the organized crime scene, including intergang rivalry, organized crime intricacies, and the backstabbing ambitions capable of shattering the thin ice of power equilibrium dominated in Jakarta’s underworld.
Increasingly frustrated father undervalues Uco, fueling his anger. Unchecked ambition drives him to partner with Bejo, an ostentatious and barbaric disruptor of the established order entreprenuer. Together, they revolutionize the game, igniting a conflict between Bangun’s crew and a Japanese syndicate. Amid the never ending commotion, Rama is ensnared in a war with no distinct forces, struggling for survival while trying to complete his mission.
The film culminates in a furious crescendo containing breathtaking action sequences – from a hammer-wielding hitman and a deadly nightclub brawl to a suffocating prison riot, an intense duel in a swamped kitchen, and an explosive car chase. In the end, Rama is left no choice but to abandon the rules of the mission and fight with all he has to reclaim justice in a world that no longer respects it.
Cast & Crew
Rama is once more in the capable hands of Iko Uwais, who brilliantly walks the line between a brooding performance and physicality. Not only does Uwais take on the role of the lead fight choreographer, but he displays the incredible craftsmanship of a martial artist who can be described as “beyond mere actor.” His performance of Rama has changed greatly from the first film — he is now much darker, more conflicted, and hardened by the cruelty of his surroundings.
Arifin Putra as Uco provides a multilayered performance as a man who struggles with blind loyalty to his father as he secretly craves power for himself. Uco’s internal conflict and slow spiral into betrayal gives the film a complex emotional anchor.
Tio Pakusadewo plays Bangun, the calm and calculating crime syndicate who attempts to maintain order and control in the criminal system. His performance gives weight and character to the film’s depiction of organized crime.
Alex Abbad as Bejo, the cane-wielding villain, emits a different kind of menace—one that is suave, contemporary, and violently erratic. He embodies the new age of crime—cold and utterly dishonorable.
Director Gareth Evans expands the universe he created in The Raid: Redemption with greater ambition and storytelling depth. Known for his kinetic direction and groundbreaking action sequences, Evans takes a massive leap with The Raid 2, which is part gangster epic and part martial arts masterpiece.
Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, the film’s fight choreographers, crafted action sequences that rival the finest in film history. Breathtaking and brutal in their coordination, Pencak Silat is executed in tight shots and long takes in a wondrous display of martial artistry.
Capturing the choreography and chaos of the film is camera operator Matt Flannery. He films everything from brawls to slow-speed car chases, and everything in between with rhythmic precision, seamless movement, and energetic pacing.
The choreography turns The Raid 2 into an action piece of art containing intense scenes of violence paired with next level control and grace. Each shot appears to reveal unparalleled character development and deep immersion into the soul of the characters. This, along with The Raid 2’s remarkable soundtrack and orchestration, stylizes The Raid 2 as a ‘must-watch’ in its genre. The soundtrack by Joseph Trapanese and Aria Prayogi complements the film’s emotional beats and rhythm as well as action sequences. The music moves from moody ambiance to pulse-pounding tension enhancing the tone of the film.
It Rotten Tomatoes’ review the film holds 81 percent which is higher than the first. Its 74 percent rating provided the direction, action choreography, and continues genre storytelling to be the beats that entranced audiences resulting in the sequel.
Viewers have recommended that the film carries on from its predecessor, but critics state that the film fails in delivering to expectations. While the first part, The Raid: Redemption was a tightly focused iconic survival film, the continuation serves as an over-reaching crime saga from The Godfather or Infernal Affairs filled with punches instead.
Everyone appreciates the action scenes which includes but is not limited to the true car chases, fighting within kitchens, and yard brawls for their mastership in choreography and construction. Such masters of design require beyond excellence on top of a rigid structure of ceilings in the constructs of story and pace.
Some commentators pointed out that the film’s middle acts are slower than the first film, owing to deeper character arcs due to more intricate plots. Nonetheless, this was largely accepted as a needed compromise for the film’s richer storytelling and more expansive scope.
In 2014, the film went on to make numerous “Best Of” lists. It was particularly well-received in overseas markets where there has historically been an appreciation for martial arts cinema. Action movie enthusiasts proclaimed it to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, martial arts movie ever produced, as even those unfamiliar with the genre admired it.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a sequel to The Raid; The Raid 2 is a whole new level of achievement in action cinema. It shatters the conventions of genre filmmaking by presenting a richly woven, multilayered story with some of the most savage action sequences ever captured on film, redefining martial arts cinema. Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais crafted a story that balances emotional depth with visceral intensity.
As he exclaims, “It is the best I’ve seen in the past 15 years,” Indonesian action expert Timo Tjahjanto occurs to be overwhelmed by the artistic beauty of The Raid 2 – one of the “highest expressions as far as contemporary cinema laser fights go.” In the artistic context that remains primarily within the realm of CGI and artful gunfights, The Raid 2 succeeds in reminding us that action is art in its purest form and that unapologetic physical fights contain limitless insight that is both touching and thought provoking. In the case anyone enjoys martial arts, action movies, or even simply watching best cinema of its class, The Raid 2 is a must! It is undoubtedly a contemporarily modern masterpiece of action films.
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