Review: The Raid (2011)
Directed by Gareth Evans; screenplay by Gareth Evans; starring Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim and Donny Alamsyah.
Just a really well-executed action film with a surprisingly intricate and engaging story.
It almost veered off into the land of too many twists and turns at several moments but was actually very disciplined in the end. But yeah, there's something really satisfying about a story that doesn't pretend to be more than it is, before suddenly hitting you with so much more than you expected.
The technical aspects were another huge bonus. The film does feel a little squeaky at moments - things that could easily be chalked up to its 1 mil. budget - but if anything those moments actually endear you more to the water-tightness if its stronger elements; choreography, camera work, tension to name just a few.
Watched 07 April 2021.