Sundance 2012 Review: THE RAID - Badass Action-Packed Spectacular

I don't know what's going to top this film. The Raid is honestly one of the most incredibly awesome action films I think I've ever seen. I heard a ton of great things about this movie before I actually ended up seeing it, but nothing I or anyone else says can prepare you for the magnitude of this epic action film. I just know one thing... anyone that enjoys watching entertaining action movies, you're going to love this. It's unlike anything you've ever seen before. The movie comes from Merantau director Gareth Evans, and he did a hell of a great job.

The story is fairly simple. It follows a S.W.A.T. team as they enter a slum apartment building to capture a ruthless mobster. Shortly after they enter the building, their plan goes to hell when the inhabitants of the building come after them to kill them all. It just so happens that almost all the people in the building are violent martial arts machete-swinging, machine gun-toting dealers, thugs, and killers. 95% of the film takes place inside this building, and the whole time these guys are fighting for their lives. The movie has some incredibly intense moments, and I loved every minute of it. 

The movie wastes no time jumping into the action, and once it starts it doesn't stop. The action, fight sequences, and choreography are brilliantly executed. They crazy thing is, these action sequences only get better and more badass as the film progresses. It's absolutely relentless, and it never lets up. It's interesting how the film starts out with a bunch of guys invading this building in full S.W.A.T. gear with automatic weapons; as the movie plays out they lose men and guns, and it eventually turns into a crazy blood filling knife and machete fight. The fighting then devolves down to just fists and brute strength. Everything leads up to one of the most epic fight scenes I've think I've ever seen in a film. The crowd excitedly clapped and cheered when it was over, including myself. How couldn't I? You would to if you saw what I saw, and hopefully one day soon you will!

We were lucky enough to have a fun audience in attendance, throughout the film they were gasping, moaning, and cheering with glee, with smiles on their faces. I highly recommend you see this movie, and if at all possible see it on the big screen! Watching this movie on your TV screen just wont be the same.  

You need to see this movie! I promise that you'll love it. I just got out of the movie, and I can't wait to see it again. I just wish I could see the movie with each and every one of you so I can watch you experience this mind-blowing movie going experience.

Here's the synopsis:

Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building's lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the 6th floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city's worst to survive their mission. Director Gareth Evans (Merantau) and rising martial- arts star Iko Uwaisreunite in this adrenaline-fueled action film.

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