The Raid (2011)
Director: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, Ray Sahetapy
Primary genre: Action
Secondary genre: Martial arts
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“The Raid” is the third movie of action Welsh guru Gareth Evans (“Merentau” (2009), “Gangs of London” (2020)) that managed to showcase in global scale Silat, an Indonesian martial art style in a similar way that Ong Bak (2003) popularized Muy Thai.
With a high concept at its core, the film wastes no time to introduce the characters and the predicament they find themselves in through efficient exposition. Laying early the groundwork of the mayhem that will follow, Evans structures his film within videogame tropes where each level has tougher enemies to fight. While it does not score points in originality (“Game of Death“ (1978) comes to mind immediately), Evans who also wrote the script, attempts to put novel ideas into an action blender. The main location - an apartment complex where decay and filth seem the typical standards, is populated with incredibly tense set pieces that avoid repetitiveness and engage the audience in the adrenaline level. It is mostly style in this straightforward beat-em-up and key characters do not develop further than the next action sequence requires them to do so. Yet there is a bleak charm and sharp characterization that lends some dramatic gravitas to the proceedings enabling Evans to conclude the story successfully without going into self-parody territory. Accompanied by sharp editing, clever use of sound and slow motion that echoes the style of an early Carpenter, Evans takes a typical story and puts a fresh spin on it that will earn not only the audience’s approval but the respect of the genre aficionados too (who are plenty).
With subtle signs of world building, Evans frames with gusto perhaps some of the best fight sequences ever put on celluloid: he films dynamically violent action in tiny hallways and small rooms with long takes and innovative camerawork, that make other famous martial art flicks look like kindergarten projects. Showcasing incredible stuntwork, he employs fast-paced and full contact choreography to a jaw-dropping effect while investing in minor character moments that make sense in real life - the hero never fights anyone directly, only when it is necessary; he is relatively slower than others due to the police clothing that he is wearing. By the time we reach the three way climax, it is guaranteed that your brain will explode by the sheer commitment of the filmmakers to present something that has never been done before.
Benefitted from the charismatic presence of Iko Uwais (“Merentau”), bearing a similar feeling with Tony Jaa with the addition that he can act better, Evan’s systematic direction captures dazzling displays of martial arts prowess. But the biggest standout is Yayan Ruhian as the mad dog (in reference to John Woo’s “Hard Boiled” (1992)) who might not initially intimidating but is a force to be reckoned with when the occasion calls for it. The rest do not have much to do besides forwarding the plot with their efficient and sharply characterized archetypes; Ray Sahetapy as the ruthless kingpin with a layer of dark humor does bring onboard genuine menace while Joe Taslim’s (“Mortal Kombat“ (2021)) heroic police captain is avoiding the trap of being the hot-headed veteran who gets killed off early in order to make room for our protagonist.
"The Raid" is one of those rare films that can represent the action genre and one of the first choices to show someone who has not seen much. While its brutal and shocking violence and bleak setting might alienate those who seek a milder form of entertainment, action junkies and martial art aficionados will have a blast with the novelty displayed here. One of the best action films of all time.
An action game changer
+Outstanding choreography
+Tense and novel set pieces
+Atmospheric and stylish direction
+Great cast
+Brutal violence
-Fights can be quite lengthy
-Very bleak
-Shocking violence
-Characters are efficient action figures