Today’s quick reivew: The Raid 2. Rama (Iko Uwais), an honest cop, spends two years undercover in prison to gain the trust of Uco (Arifin Putra), the ambitious son of the city’s most powerful crime boss (Tio Pakusadewo). Earning a place as Uco’s right-hand man, Rama is in the perfect position to gather evidence against the city’s corrupt cops. But his investigation goes south when Uco makes a risky power play against his father.
The Raid 2 is an Indonesian crime drama and martial arts action movie that picks up in the aftermath of The Raid. In spite of Rama’s best efforts, he does not have enough evidence to root out the corruption in the police, forcing him to go on a dangerous undercover assignment for Lieutenant Bunawar (Cok Simbara). The Raid 2 combines brutal and sharply choreographed violence with a sprawling crime story, making for a dark but satisfying watch.
Like its predecessor, The Raid 2 is most notable for its action. The fight scenes are gory affairs full of knife wounds, broken bones, and gruesome deaths. The combat is carried by sharp stunt work from Iko Uwais and a new cast of killers, while creativity in the choice of setting, weapons, and number of combatants keeps the action feeling fresh throughout. For those who enjoy violent action, The Raid 2 will be a treat.
The Raid 2 tries something different with its story, with mixed success. Where the original movie was a minimalistic action flick full of non-stop fighting, The Raid 2 takes its time and tells a more expansive story. The conflict between Uco, his father, and the city’s other criminal factions makes for a fascinating plot. The downside is that the movie feels less focused than the original, with slower pacing and less for Rama to do.
The Raid 2 is an impressive film that combines top-notch action with a well-crafted story. Fans of the original may find the sequel to be a little slow for their tastes, spreading a similar amount of action over a much longer run time. But those who are willing to invest in the story will find it to be a rewarding watch, filled with tense conflicts and creative stunts. Steer clear if you don’t have the stomach for gore.
For a more focused take on the same style of action, try The Raid. For a less action-focused crime drama about an undercover cop, try Infernal Affairs, The Departed, or Donnie Brasco. For a violent action movie set in a more stylized criminal underworld, try John Wick and its sequels. For a more subdued gang war with some of the same elements, check out Miller’s Crossing.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for excellent stunt work and a strong story.