Hello everyone, I will review a martial arts film from Indonesia directed by Gareth Evans from the United States and starring Iko Uwais (Rama). Released in 2014 in production by PT. Merantau Films. The Raid: Berandal is a sequel to the film The Raid Redemption which was released in 2011. For some people, maybe this film is not worth watching because for 150 minutes there is no minute that is free from bloodshed, if you’re not a fan of a film like this it's better cancel the intention to watch instead of dizziness and loss of appetite hehe, but for me The Raid 2 BERANDAL is a film that must be watched ... Warning : don't watch this movie with your child !
This movie tells the story of a policeman (Rama) who has to leave his wife and child to be trained again to beco me a cold-blooded killer. He will be infiltrated into the gang of the mafia kingpin and must get rid of dirty practices that are full of corruption and bribery scandals. The first scene begins with an expanse of sugar cane fields, where Andi (Doni Alamsyah), who is covered in blood from the torture, is about to be killed by Bejo (Alex Abbad). Of course, I don't need to explain why, the point is that it has something to do with the first sequel to The Raid Redemption. In this scene I am made unhappy because Gareth Evans has buried one of my favorite characters.
The story unfolds in the middle of nowhere featuring Rama (Iko uwais) and two of his remaining friends, still with wounds from the ambush of the drug lord's nest, one friend being taken away to be killed and another sighting of the police traitor Wahyu (Pierre Gruno) who was also immediately killed. by order of Bunawar (Cok Simbara). Bunawar was also the one who finally told Rama that his brother Andi was killed by Bejo and his gang, and this was the right time to take revenge and to destroy the elite Criminal syndicate which also involved policemen with ranks in it. At Bunawar's suggestion, Rama is imprisoned with the special task of approaching Uco (Arifin Putra) who is also a prisoner. Uco is the son of a mob boss named Bangun (Tio Pakusadewo). If Rama is able to get close to Uco, he will automatically be able to approach Bangun to get classified information to catch corrupt syndicates and rulers. and of course the chance to fight with Bejo, a syndicate rival from Bangunun, is wide open as an act of personal revenge. How? The storyline that may be very, very common for fans of action films "think" right? but relax friends, once again it's all a matter of taste hehehe, but at least The Raid 2 has more stories and conflicts than the first.
You can imagine the situation in prison, where the battle scene becomes breakfast with punching, kicking, slamming, and even shooting, everything is presented in full. Likewise, when Rama, Uco, and Eka (Oka Antara) collect bail at a pornographic film warehouse owned by Topan (Epi Kusnandar). Then move on to the “wow” scene, when the appearance of the Beautiful Hammer Girl (Julie Estelle) without dialogue can sadistically hit and tear her neck with just a double-sided hammer on the train. Mmmm ... what a dangerous girl. Beseball Man action is also worth the wait with his killer baseball bat game. In this film Gareth Evans also presents Japanese actor Kenichi Endo as mafia leader Goto and Kazuki Kitamara as his son.
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It all ends with the final, enchanting battle scene between Rama and The Assassin. The pure Pencak Silat movements exhibited by Iko Uwais and Cecep Arif Rahman are so stunning and beautiful, besides the actor, they are excellent former martial arts athletes, so the fight scenes look so real and beautiful and every silat movement in the scene is choreographed by them.
My favorite scene
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The support of seasoned players whose acting quality is undoubtedly such as Tio Pakusadewo, Cok Simbara, Roy Martin, Pong Harjatmo, Dedi Sutomo also provides a different color than the previous series. I also give a thumbs up to Arifin, the son, who I haven't seen for a long time, appears quite convincing as a sadistic criminal and a bit of a psychopath. Cecep Arif Rahman, whose daily life is an elementary school teacher, is also quite fitting as an assassin who appears cold and deadly without dialogue.
Born : February 12, 1983
An athlete, martial arts teacher of Pencak silat, Indonesian actor, plays the role of Rama, a novice officer in the Special Weapons and Tactics unit as well as a future father. Commissioned in undercover operations. Rama had to infiltrate as a subordinate in the mafia family to expose corruption in the Jakarta Police Department
Born : August 18, 1972
A teacher, athlete, martial arts teacher of pencak silat and an Indonesian actor, playing the role of The Assassin, little is known about him other than his choice of weapons and loyalty to Bejo. Always armed himself with two kerambits (Indonesian traditional weapons), his heart was as cold as the steel of his weapon.
Born : January 4, 1989
An Indonesian model and actress, a pencak silat student, plays Alicia (Hammer Girl), a ruthless assassin who is gifted with a claw hammer. Alicia and her brother (Baseball Bat Man) leave their family in search of a better life. Their search results in death and destruction for anyone who gets in their way.
Even though the director is not Indonesian, the film The Raid 2 is played by the majority of Indonesian actors, it is only natural that I support the progress of domestic films. Moreover, the premiere was at the Sundance Festival, hopefully it can raise Indonesia's prestige to the international entertainment scene. The large number of positive criticisms that have been raised should also be able to spur domestic filmmakers to increasingly compete to produce proud works. Hopefully the success of this film will spur the younger generation to preserve the traditional martial art "Pencak Silat". For the next sequel, I hope that the storyline of this film must be stronger and more interesting, not just showing the fight scenes. Thank you !
The raid 1 and 2 are brutal!!! last year I saw the Gangs of London series, made by the creator of these movies. It is also a very violent and excellent series.
The Raid is the most successful Indonesian film in history and encourages interest in Pencak Silat, as well as making the main actor, Iko Uwais and others gain popularity in Hollywood .. I hope the 3rd sequel will be even better..thanks
Most of the actors from this film are experts in the martial arts "Pencak Silat" ... thanks friends, I really appreciate you like films from our country ..