Has anybody ever discussed the durability of kung fu guys? I’m pretty sure that long before the 15th skull-to-concrete connection, I’d fold like a house of cards. Can one fold like a Mahjong table? Yeah, that too. Um, may I interject … this fighting, it’s totally cool and fun and all, but, um, isn’t it just a tad unrealistic? Forget it; they’re rolling.
You’ll have to forgive me with this review. The movie is Indonesian and so are its players. However, I know absolutely nothing about Indonesian martial arts, so for the sake of familiarity, I’m calling everything “kung fu” in this review. Before you judge, please know it’s an Indonesian film written and directed by a Welshman who started his film career in Japan. Capisce?
The Raid: Redemption is a lousy title. It’s weird because either of the components would have been better by itself, no? I wonder if this is a bad translation. But if you’re a guy into kung fu, the film is pretty good. Kung fu needs no translation. Most kung fu films seem to me like they’re just making an excuse to have some kung fu. There’s a gang war and … nobody thought to bring a pistol or, my personal favorite, “you know kung fu? What a coincidence …” Raid: Redemption feels more like kung fu was a natural part of the film, which I appreciate as there is no Jackie Chan involved here.
Basic plot is a SWAT team attacks a local slumlord’s tenement. The building has 15 floors and by level six it’s quite clear the cops are in over their collective heads. Slimy lord Tama (Ray Sahetapy) not only has a private army of thugs and a serious home-field advantage, he also enlists the help of the tenants themselves, “anybody who participates in getting rid of these cockroaches gets to live here rent free,” he blasts over the public P.A. Imagine being a cop deep in the projects on a bust and hearing that announcement. Holy Mummunschanz.
Escaping the carnage is cop good guy Rama (Iko Uwais). Even with police failing right and left, we knew he was going to make it because 1) he’s pretty much the only cop we learned anything about and 2) his wife is pregnant. Can’t have that guy die in the first hour … where’s the drama? His inability to die easily sets up a fantastic and way overlong battle with Tama’s lap Mad Dog (Yayan Ruhian). The kung fu in Raid: Redemption isn’t Jackie Chan inventive, but it is top shelf … or high leg kick, whatever floats your kimono.
95% of The Raid: Redemption takes place in the tenement building and its surroundings. I had a great appreciation for this fact; the real-time illusion felt like Speed – police actions in movies usually take about five minutes. You get a feel here for the law being sucked into Hell itself. There’s no way out, no survival, no justice, only the possibility of redemption. Hey, that’s almost poetic. And this was almost a really good film.
Rated R, 101 Minutes
D: Gareth Evans
W: Gareth Evans
Genre: Ghetto kung fu
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Kung fools
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Women
