Indonesian cinema has long been the Cinderella of global film, often overshadowed by its regional titans and largely ignored by Western audiences, but the landscape changed dramatically in 2011 with the release of The Raid, a ferocious action spectacle directed by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans. The film was a seismic event, capturing the imagination of critics and audiences worldwide with its relentless combat choreography and claustrophobic intensity. Its immense commercial and critical success was undeniable, making a sequel inevitable. That sequel arrived three years later in 2014, bearing the title The Raid 2, also known in some territories as The Raid 2: Berandal or the more literal The Raid 2: Retaliation.
The narrative picks up shortly after the chaotic events of the first film. We find our protagonist, the young police officer Rama (Iko Uwais), as one of three survivors of the bloody raid on the headquarters of the Jakarta drug lord that claimed the lives of his tactical unit. Rama's only ally, Andi (Danny Almasiyah), his estranged gangster brother, is ruthlessly murdered by Bejo (Alex Abbad), a power-hungry gang boss with eyes on Jakarta’s underworld throne. Bejo is currently vying for control from the aging crime lord Bangun (Tio Pakudasewo). Meanwhile, Rama has made contact with Bunawar (Cok Simbara), the head of the police internal investigation unit. Bunawar is a man of unorthodox methods, willing to employ drastic measures to eradicate corruption within police force. He orders Rama to go undercover and infiltrate Bangun’s criminal organisation.
Rama executes this plan by staging a mock crime to ensure a two-year prison sentence. It is within the confines of this brutal penitentiary that he gets close to Uco (Arifin Putra), the vicious mobster son of Bangun who is also incarcerated for disorderly conduct. Through a combination of raw survival instincts and martial prowess, Rama saves Uco’s life during a violent prison riot, winning the young mobster's trust and securing a place within the family. He begins to work his way up, meeting Eka (Oka Antara), Bangun's second-in-command. Rama uses this opportunity to plant bugs and gather intelligence, but his position becomes increasingly precarious as he becomes entangled in the treacherous web of intra-gang politics. Uco, unhappy with his sub-ordinate status, is desperate to replace his father. He strikes a pact with Bejo, deliberately instigating a war with a powerful yakuza gang led by Hideaki Goto (Kenichi Endo), setting the stage for a massive and increasingly bloody conflict.
There is a fascinating backstory to Evans’ creation of this film. The script was originally written as a standalone story before the success of The Raid forced a pivot. Evans transformed the protagonist from an ordinary young man into an undercover police officer to bridge the gap between the two films. While this transformation is functionally sound, it comes at the cost of continuity. The connection to the events of the first film is minimal; most of the characters from the original are wiped out within the first few minutes or appear only fleetingly. Yayan Ruhian, the martial artist who played the deadly gang enforcer Mad Dog in the first film, saw his character killed off-screen. However, he returns here in a new guise as Prakoso, Bangun’s loyal hitman. This suggests a willingness to repurpose talent rather than rely on forced continuity, which is a bold creative choice.
Despite the narrative gaps, the film works remarkably well. Evans leveraged the commercial success of the first film to secure a significantly larger budget, allowing him to expand the runtime, develop more rounded characters, and deliver a variety of impressive and ultraviolent action scenes. The setting changes dramatically from the single claustrophobic building of the first film to a diverse array of locations, including nightclubs, restaurants, and even a sleazy porn studio. The standout sequence is undoubtedly the massive brawl in the rain-soaked prison courtyard near the beginning of the film. Equally impressive is the truly spectacular car chase near the end of the movie. These set pieces demonstrate that Evans is not just a director of action, but a master craftsman of memorable set pieces, capable of staging carnage on a grand scale.
The acting in the film is also a significant step up, with extra characterisation allowing for more range and talent. Arifin Putra shines as Uco, portraying a vicious and arrogant young mobster with believable menace, particularly in the scene where he threatens a prostitute. The film also introduces some impressive new characters who bring unique physical skills to the table. Cecep Arif Rahman, a martial artist, plays Bejo’s top enforcer, "Assassin," with terrifying efficiency, while Indonesian actress and model Julia Estelle delivers a knockout performance as "Hammer Girl," his partner armed with hammers. Both characters have a physical presence that commands attention and adds to the film's eclectic roster of villains.
The Raid 2 is clearly made with an eye on the international market, reflecting the globalisation of organised crime. The dialogue often shifts between Indonesian, English, and Japanese, adding an authentic layer to the illicit dealings depicted on screen. It feels less like a purely local Indonesian production and more like a world cinema event.
However, as impressive as The Raid 2 is, it is not without its flaws. There are scenes and subplots where the director’s flair for style trumps not only substance but common sense. One glaring example is the death of Prakoso. It occurs on a snow-covered street, a visual that is jarringly implausible for an Indonesian setting. It looks like a budget-saving CGI choice or a lazy writing decision that fails to respect the geography and reality of the film's world.
The ending, like the previous film, is slightly ambiguous and leaves space for another sequel, creating a tantalising "to be continued" feeling. Sadly, while Evans had tentative plans for a third film, he abandoned the idea after returning to his native Wales and starting his Hollywood career.
The Raid 2 stands as a monumental achievement in the action genre, despite its narrative eccentricities. The film had problems with censorship in Malaysia over its excessive and graphic violence, but its commercial results were solid, and most reviews were favourable. It stands as a testament to Gareth Evans' vision and the enduring appeal of raw, unadulterated action cinema.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
==
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog @drax.leo
Substack https://draxster.substack.com/
InLeo: https://inleo.io/signup?referral=drax.leo
Leodex: https://leodex.io/?ref=drax
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9
