The Raid

An Alliance Films (in Canada) relieve a PT Merantau Films/Abc Films/Celluloid Bad dreams or nightmares presentation. (Worldwide sales: Celluloid Bad dreams or nightmares, Paris/La.) Produced by Ario Sagantoro. Executive producers, R. Maya Barack-Evans, Irwan D. Mussry, Nate Bolotin, Todd Brown. Directed, written, edited by Gareth Huw Evans.With: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim. Doni Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Satrya, Ray Sahetapy.The best credits roll, listing figures for instance "Hole Drop Attacker" and "Machete Gang Member," only shows the quantity of mayhem in Gareth Huw Evans' "The Raid." Indeed, moviegoers may want the projectionist could replay a couple of from the spectacular sequences in this incredible and very violent cop-versus.-gangster fight-athon, in which a SWAT-like unit invades a 15-story building and requires to reach the very best, floor by floor, to produce lower the theif. While using genre with a better intensity, the Welsh-born Evans continues what he started previously Indonesia-set actioner "Merantau," but this pic will seal his cult status. As efficient becasue it is title signifies, "The Raid" supplies a continuous sequence of action getting a apparent and effective premise: If police can get through to the top floor, there's a chance to create lower major drug kingpin Tama (Ray Sahetapy). Further further complicating matters is the fact that many cops inside the unit are unskilled inside the model of intense urban combat needed here, which their corrupt boss, Lt. Wahyu (Pierre Gruno), may compromise the entire operation. That's about as much plot since the movie is worried with, or needs. Hard-ass cop Rama (Iko Uwais, "Merantau," in the star-making role) is sparkling neat and tenacious just like a bulldozer. Inside a couple of minutes of silently penetrating the building's interior (the end result increased by total silence about the soundtrack that otherwise provides huge punches of pure, sonic energy), Rama's males fit in with assault by Tama's smartly placed models, including prepubescent spotters and endless supplies of dudes with heavy machine guns. Tama observes everything about the large bank of monitors within the control room, aided by his callous henchmen Andi (Doni Alamsyah) and Mad Dog (Yayan Ruhian). Tama may also be capable of deliver messages inside the building's PA system, to make sure that everyone can hear his message, "We've site site visitors." It's the signal for individuals-out war. The ensuing one hour half an hour are largely a hands-to-hands, fist-to-face, ft-to-groin fight, getting a few machetes and guns tossed in permanently measure. Pic handles to create the sensation of the kind of live-action ride, where Evans as conductor modulates a tight schedule up and lower of action, and alternates pace and volume, with selected interludes of story capture an individual's breath. It makes sense exhilarating for audiences open to the sheer visceral sensation in the physical experience, regardless of an individual's predilection toward fight photos. Still, there's ample close-up, flesh-ripping violence to produce even hardened audiences wince. The pic's combat style, silat, is certainly an Indonesian martial-arts form this can be a more brawling kind of fighting than more broadly known styles. Consider it the Nfl overpowering kung fu, but a good deal nastier, while using action getting wilder the flooring -- as well as the casualties in Rama's forces -- mount. You can neglect the story altogether inside the sheer hurry of Rama's fight up floor rather, audiences will question how a amazing fight that merely ended might be assigned. But it is, again and again. A five-minute fight which has flying, getting upset parts of the body particularly shows the elegance inside the fight choreography by Evans, Uwais and Ruhian. Greater than most martial-arts photos, "The Raid" recalls the dwelling from the movie musical, in which a simple story bridges the amounts and sequences. Ultimately, there's enough to one of the pic's side tales (including brothers and sisters on opposite sides in the fight) that, attracted together with righting the wrong of political corruption, allows products to complete about the considerably satisfying note. Moti D. Setyanto's terrific production design signifies within your building just like a perpetual maze, both up and lower and flat. It is not surprising the project needed two lensers (Matt Flannery and Dimas Imam Subhono), since the camera frequently appears to disregard gravity in the pursuit to obtain fresh angles concerning the fight. Technically, the pic's in the league alone among Indonesian films. Following this pic's first Toronto screening, producers introduced the soundtrack will probably be entirely modified by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. Even though it will prove to add a commercial kick for the film, it'll appear curious thinking about the brilliant soundtrack displayed within the screening examined.Camera (color), Matt Flannery, Dimas Imam Subhono music, Fajar Yuskemal, Aria Prayogi production designer, Moti D. Setyanto costume designer, Upay Maryani appear (Dolby Digital), Suhadi Yuskemal, Prayogi, Bonar Abraham, Sandika Widjaja appear designers, Yuskemal, Prayogi re-recording mixers, Yuskemal, Aria Prayogi, Abraham, Widjaja, Jack Arthur Simanjuntak effects makeup, Jerry Octavianus stunt organizers, Yandi "Piranha" Sutisna, Eka "Piranha" Rahmadia, Esa W. Sie, Rama Ramadhan fighting styles choreographers, Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian action choreographer, Evans line producer, Daiwanne P. Ralie assistant company company directors, Dondy Adrian Senjaya, Mus Danang Danar Dono, Imam Dharmawan Santoso, Ginanti Rona Tembang Asri. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Evening time Madness), Sept. 8, 2011. (Also in Sitges, Pusan film festivals.) Running time: 101 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com