the raid

It seems like we’ve been waiting for the second-coming of Bruce Lee as long as we’ve been waiting for the actual Second Coming. There have been so many promises - from unsuccessful understudy Chuck Norris to legit contender Jackie Chan – that we should probably all come to terms with the fact that no one will ever match Lee’s skill, style and on-screen charisma.

Meanwhile, films like Indonesian import The Raid: Redemption go for the team approach, showcasing the impressive abilities of its star, Iko Uwais, but surrounding him with what appears to be every able-bodied kung fu artist in Jakarta. The result is a non-stop beat down set against the pulsing music of Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park (replacing the traditional score that played with the film during its festival run).

For all the impactful punching, kicking and knifing going on, it’s actually director Gareth Evans smooth visual style that makes the film memorable. Perhaps taking a cue from John Carpenter’s early indie Assault on Precinct 13, Evans adds some real menace to the high-rise apartment building run by a merciless a drug lord and populated by criminals who will kill on command. Like victims of a roach hotel, when Iko and his team check in, they don’t check out. Bad guys are soon swarming from every room to defend their turf and the only way out is up.

The Raid doesn’t veer off down any new action-movie avenue we haven’t traveled before. But it entertains in brutal fashion and takes every kidney-punch and roundhouse kick as seriously as an Oscar contender. And short of Bruce Lee’s resurrection, isn’t that all you can ask of a kung-fu movie? Extras include 7 featurettes, video blogs and a filmmaker commentary.