Most action
films are best seen in movie theaters; full of spectacle and excess fittingly
paired with the event-like experience of seeing a film in public. While The
Raid 2 was most definitely an experience that I am glad to have had in a
theater, I think I may have enjoyed my second viewing at home even more. This
is saying a lot, especially considering how praiseworthy my theatrical review
was of the film. The reason that this film holds up and even increases in
impressiveness is simply a matter of good filmmaking. Most theatrical
spectacles don’t aspire for anything more than entertainment and can fall apart
upon too much inspection, but The Raid 2
is a film whose impressiveness is only enhanced by dissection. While my first
viewing was like a disorientating gut-punch of excitement, the second time
allowed me to step back and examine just how spectacular all of the filmmaking
elements are.
The story for
Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans’ The Raid 2 was actually conceived before anything
from the first film was thought of. The Raid: Redemption was made as a result
of Evans’ inability to create the vision he had because of the massive scale.
The Raid: Redemption was created as a smaller budget alternative, which
ultimately allowed Evans to create this masterpiece long in the making. The
first film is about a cop named Rama (Iko Uwais) who attempts to save his
criminal brother while on a deadly police raid in a building full of killers. The Raid 2 begins immediately following
the end of the first film, but takes the story in a whole new direction by
making Rama an undercover cop.
There is still a
one-man police raid at the climax of the film, but the 150-minute running time
allows for a complex narrative along with the impressively cringe-inducing
action sequences. That is not all that has been added to Evans’ action
repertoire, with nearly every facet of action movies covered fluidly throughout
the story. There are plenty of brutal martial arts, gunplay, knife-play, car
chases and even a prison brawl that is shot with a sense of carefully
orchestrated chaos most often reserved for massively budgeted war movies. All
of this is enhanced by the filmmaking choices, many of which are effective
without being flashy. I didn’t even realize how many long tracking shots were
achieved amidst the carefully orchestrated and complex fight scenes, which is a
rarity in action movies. Often many quick cuts achieve an easier sense of
urgency, but Evans is able to accomplish something so much more layered. Few
films are ever this well made, regardless of budget.
The other bonus
aspect of watching The Raid 2 on
Blu-ray is the bonus features. Although there is only one deleted scene, it is
really a full-fledged deleted action sequence. It has none of the major
characters from the film, and therefore was an understandable sacrifice from
the final cut, but is incredibly impressive as a stand-alone sequence of brutal
violence that is heavily stylized. This scene is exclusive to the Blu-ray
release, along with an on-location behind-the scenes featurette and one about
the film’s intricate action choreography. Other extras that are also on the DVD
include a commentary track with Evans, another featurette and a Q&A with
the director and his stars.
Entertainment Value:
10/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 10/10
Historical
Significance: 9.5/10
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