The Raid Redemption

The Raid Redemption tells the story of a raid gone terribly wrong. A 20-man swat team is brought in to raid a large apartment building, with the goal being to get in and get out fast and undetected. Things don’t go quite as planned when a small boy sets off the alarm in the building almost immediately after they arrive. The team didn’t expect that the crime boss, who lives on the top floor, had recruited, well, everyone who lives in the apartment building. The place is populated by either foot soldiers or tenants required to fight for their stay. Thus, the team is now tasked with making their way floor by floor, slowly and painstakingly to the top. Will they make it? Will they get their man?

This movie is really great. While it’s full of action movie clichés (there’s an old cop on the verge of retirement, a rat in the group and a rookie who has to step up and take over the leadership role and on and on), somehow it feels fresh and unique. Maybe that’s because the action is so good that it makes up for the cut and paste plot. The lead, played very well by Iko Uwais, has great chemistry with his brother in the film, also played well by Donny Alamsyah and man the choreography is good. In fact, Screen Gems just picked up the rights to do a remake, but part of the actual deal is that they also get the choreographer. That gives you a glimpse at how much ass is kicked in this flick. There are moves, fights and kills that are really powerful. Interesting stuff. So, if you’re in the mood for a movie that is simple, straight forward “say hello to my boomstick” action, then pick this one up. Don’t wait for some glossy, vapid, uninteresting remake. Be able to tell you friends, “well, it was alright, but it wasn’t as good as the original.”

S’good.