The Raid

I know that I'm in the middle of Examination, and although it's not the big National Exam, it's still one of the most important exam. But I can't help it, two great movies release this week! how am I supposed to sit back at home and study when my mind is all over those movie? So yes I decided to watch both of them. two days in row.

The first movie I watched was 'THE RAID'

I and my brother had planned to watch this movie months ago, when it was shown in some Movie Festival, but unfortunately we hadn't got the ticket. I wasn't really interested at first, because I thought that Indonesian action movie must be very cheesy. But DAMN this movie proved me wrong

I'm not a good reviewer but I just can't stop talking about this movie.

I really didn't expect much from the beginning, I found the lines were rather corny, It felt like it had been written in English initially and then translated into Indonesian. But it didn't bother me anymore when they started showing the action. First of all I'm gonna warn you, if you want to see some heart breaking drama, super mind blowing complicated plot, and a movie that makes you 'think', you'd be very disappointed. Because the plot was very simple and rather cliche. But I guess when you watch this movie you'd have no time to think about the plot. You'd have your eyes and brain glued to the screen, thinking 'is this shit for real?!'

This movie is about a group of special cops, something like the SWAT trying to break into a Headquarter of a big criminal. But to reach the floor where the big boss is, they must survive the brutality of the followers. But basically this movie only focus in one guy. Rama, a 'newbie' cop whose wife is pregnant.

I'm usually never interested in action movie, but this movie got me hooked. The Raid shows fighting scene with intensity that you'll never forget. The choreography was BEAUTIFUL, there were various techniques and weapon used. Each fighting scene will leave you breathless. Also not to forget that they use 'Pancak Silat' here. Don't even get me started with the scoring, the scoring was really great, it captured all the emotion that scene trying to show perfectly,  I just found out that the scoring was done specially by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park!  wow. One of my favorites thing about this movie is, it doesn't use much visual effect and the fighting scene didn't use some crazy technology like most of Hollywood action movies. it was a real fighting scene, with bare hand and simple weapon.

And also the supernumeraries! I wonder how they got that much people, I mean although they didn't really fight they at least must had known somehting about fighting right? Those guys were really crazy, almost like zombies. lol

Iko Uwais (plays Rama) and Yayan Ruhian (plays Mad Dog) choreographed the fighting scene magnificently. There was also Doni Alamsyah who is blessed with overloading charisma.

Overall, in my opinion the acting of the main characters were great. Especially Iko, Yayan, Dony, and Ray Sahetapy. But I found some of the minor characters weren't good enough.  Still it didn't really bother me though,

After watching this movie, I still couldn't forget the thrill that it brought, and it makes the other action movies feel plain.

I really salute all of the people behind this movie. Can't wait for Garreth Evan's next project!