Saturday 12 May 2012

The Raid : Redemption (Serbuan Maut)

It is official. I have seen my first Indonesian movie. And I am actually glad that I picked this one over Dangerous Ishhq 3D – not that it was a very difficult choice. I had absolutely no clue to the origins of The Raid : Redemption OR Serbuan Maut which is the actual name. I was utterly confused as to why am I not able to sync with the people on screen, their lip movements and the utterly pathetic dubbing with Indian sounding voices. Now please don’t call me a prude but I would rather you retain the dialogues in Bahasa and add sub titles.

Another interesting fact would be the director Gareth Evans who is actually of Welsh origin but based in Indonesia. Most of Raid Redemption is an exhibition of the Indonesian martial art – Pencak Silat. The lead actor Iko Uwais is an expert in this form and was probably an obvious choice. That he has reasonable screen presence is an added advantage I would say.

Serbuan Maut is literally translated into Deadly Invasion and I can say after watching the movie that is a deadly invasion alright. One which is lead by Seargent Jaka (Joe Taslim) and his SWAT Team. Rama (Iko Uwais) is one of the better resources that Jaka has at his disposal. They are at a decrepit building somewhere in Jakarta where they meet a source of Jaka – a Lt. Wahyu (Pierre Gruno).

They are all here to take down notorious Don Tama (Ray Sahetapy). One who is infamous not just for the drugs that he runs all across the country but also for his absolute ruthless nature. He runs the building as a tenancy of sorts and what our SWAT team is not aware is that to get to Tama they have to go through 14 floors or drug manufacturing and tenants who are basically Tama’s guards. Who are kept there primarily for a situation like this.

What follows is an exceptional exhibition of action cinema backed with some really good camera work. Sequences such as the ultra slow motion of the bullet leaving the gun and the resultant light that throws shadows across the dark aisles of the building are really well done. What gives the movie some substance is that fact that it is not just a random action movie which goes “wham bam thank you ma’m”. There is a sensible story line as well around Rama and why it is important for him to be there.

Evans’ direction is probably aided by the fact that he writes his own stories as well. For the action lovers in the house this one is a must watch. It lives up to its poster which says, “probably the best action movie in over a decade”. Not as good. But definitely up there in terms of quality action. 6 on 10 for certain.

Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3329270041/

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