The Raid
Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Doni Alamsyah, Yahan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno
Director: Gareth Evans
Rating: 5/5
Gareth Evans is a Welsh filmmaker who moved into the Indonesian film industry in a bid to really launch his career. Needless to say that with his new movie The Raid he has not only done that but highlight what an exciting talent he really is.
Seriously there are almost no words to describe the greatness of this movie and if you see just one film this weekend make sure that it is The Raid.
In the heart of Jakarta lies a rundown apartment infested with druggies and drifters.
It’s ruled by a ruthless drug lord who uses the tenement to shelter his junkie customers, pushers, enforcers and brutal killers.
The apartment block is considered untouchable by even the bravest of police - until one early morning when, cloaked under dawn’s dark ¬ness, an elite SWAT team, led by officer Rama (Uwais), raids the peril-filled structure.
As Rama’s squad races between the maze of rooms and floors, encountering a barrage of gunfire, machetes, and ruthless hand-to-hand combat around every corner, the stakes get higher and higher building to an explosive crescendo and an ultimate battle.
Do you remember when you saw great action movie such as Die Hard of Enter The Dragon for the very first time? Believe me when I tell you that you will get that surge of excitement all over again as you witness The Raid.
In just a hundred minutes Gareth Evans has delivered one of the best action movies of all time and introduced us to a new martial arts/acting talent that comes in the form of Iko Uwais.
The Raid is an action packed, adrenaline fuelled movie that doesn't stop for breath from start to finish.
The stunts and the set pieces are so ferocious and they really can't be faulted as the action pushes the story forward.
But you will not see a greater fight see this year than that between Iko Uwais, Doni Alamsyah and Yahan Ruhian towards the end of the movie, it really is hell in a cell.
Iko Uwais is a name that we should all be looking out for as in the space of a couple of years he has gone from being a delivery guy to one of the hottest new action heroes after being discovered by director Evans in Indonesia.
Uwais gives his all in the movie as he mixes moments of his octane fight moves with really vulnerability and fear.
There is a great sub story of two brothers on a different side of the fight and just how strong the link between them is.
Gareth Evans must also be applauded as he has delivered a movie that will quite simply take your breath away, you will gasp, shut your eyes, laugh then cheer before wanting to see it all over again.
Evans has created a really claustrophobic feel to the movie as the highrise encases the SWAT teams and closes in on them.
The Raid is a movie that you should miss at your peril as it is one of the best action movies that I have seen in a long time.
It's a rollercoaster ride of blood, sweat and courage that will leave you truly breathless but desperate for more!!
The Raid is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Gareth Evans