“The Raid: Redemption” Review | One of the All-Time Action Greats
Spoilers beware.
From the moment The Raid: Redemption begins with a ticking watch waiting to be worn by Iko Uwais’ Rama, I knew I was in for something special. And I was right. So, so right. Gareth Huw Evans’ 2011 Indonesian martial arts action spectacular is one of the best action movies to ever be made, and I’m currently kicking myself for not having seen it years ago when I first heard about it. If you like action movies, martial arts flicks, or just good cinema in general at this point, The Raid: Redemption needs to be made a top priority. This thing wrenches you in with ferocity and doesn’t let go for a moment, only ramping up the danger until the very end.
Despite being only a rookie within the ranks of the MBC, Rama is without a doubt the most skilled fighter in the force. Today, his skills will be put to the ultimate test when he joins a 20-man squad led by Sgt. Jaka and Lt. Wahyu to take down crime lord Tama Riyadi residing in a 30-story apartment block. The operation goes disastrously wrong, with most of the men being killed early on by Tama’s sprawling assortment of henchmen, leaving a select few to fend for themselves. It’s at this point where Rama, having no other option but to fight his way through hordes of opponents, channels his training and unloads upon floors of people unknowingly waiting…
