Fave films of the century so far - 2014 - The Raid 2

2012's The Raid was amazing. A blast of fresh air that blew the cobwebs off action cinema. An insanely violent slice of pulp fiction. While watching it you assumed that this was it, the pinnacle, no action flick would ever top it.

Then The Raid 2 was released.

Indonesian supercop Rama has just recovered from the events of the first film when he's asked to go back undercover again. Because literally no one else from the first film survived he's still a credible criminal and he slips back into his old persona with ease. The only problem is part of his assignment involves him being in jail to befriend the son of a corrupt politician. He's promised all sorts when his assignment is over.

Of course both assignment and his life turn to shit rapidly.

It's a brilliant watch and one that's been described as The Godfather part 2 of action cinema. A description that's hard to argue with. Yeah, it's a touch too long at 150 minutes but it just pins you to your seat throughout. The prison riot, a car chase unlike one you've ever seen, that kitchen scene. It keeps topping itself and then we get to the end.

This scene, 11 minutes of mayhem from the latter part of the movie is a slice of the mindblowing action on display throughout. Do not watch this if you are easily offended by violence.

It's something else ain't it. Iko Uwais displaying marital arts chops that would put Bruce and Jackie in the halfpenny place. The sly sense of humour running throughout it as all 3 baddies bite the dust on the edges of their own weapons and the quiet, dignified way the kitchen staff clear out. Gareth Evans' fight choreography that's clear about the geography of the rooms and the positions of the scrappers. Take note Hollywood, shakey cam does not exist in this dojo. The first five minutes whets our appetite. That baseball bat to the mush cleanses our palate and then Rama faces the Assassin (Cecep Arif Rahman, in real life, an English teacher) for the main course. Both fighters square up, show each other a modicum of respect and then tear each other apart. It's amazing action filmmaking and it's why The Raid 2 is my favourite film of 2014.

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