The Raid: Redemption (2011) Serbuan maut (original title)

Director:

Gareth Evans

Writer:

Gareth Evans (written by)

Release Date:

13 April 2012 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

1 Ruthless Crime Lord, 20 Elite Cops, 30 Floors of Hell

Plot:

A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | SWAT Team | Police | Apartment Building | Apartment

Awards:

5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Iko Uwais	...	Rama
Joe Taslim	...	Jaka
Donny Alamsyah	...	Andi (as Doni Alamsyah)
Yayan Ruhian	...	Mad Dog
Pierre Gruno	...	Wahyu
Ray Sahetapy	...	Tama
Tegar Satrya	...	Bowo
Iang Darmawan	...	Gofar
Eka 'Piranha' Rahmadia	...	Dagu
Verdi Solaiman	...	Budi
Alfridus Godfred	...	Machete Gang #1
Rully Santoso	...	Machete Gang #2
Melkias Ronald Torobi	...	Machete Gang #3
Johanes Tuname	...	Machete Gang #4
Sofyan Alop	...	Machete Gang #5
R. Iman Aji	...	Eko
Ananda George	...	Ari
Yusuf Opilus	...	Alee
Mus Danang Danar Dono	...	Special Force Driver #1
Sunarto	...	Special Force Driver #2
Hanggi Maisya	...	Hanggi / Special Force #10
Zaenal Arifin	...	Zaenal / Special Force #11
Abraham Joshua B. Sitompul	...	Special Force #12
Aji Setianto	...	Special Force #13
Fachrudin Midun	...	Special Force #14
Ardiansyah Putra	...	Special Force #15
Engelius Rumbindi	...	Special Force #16
Bastian Riffanie	...	Special Force #17
Aliusman	...	Special Force #18
Yandi 'Piranha' Sutsina	...	Prisoner
Henky Solaiman	...	Rama's Father (as Hengky Solaiman)
Fikha Effendi	...	Rama's Wife (as Fikha Efendi)
Rama Ramadhan	...	Doni Alamsyah Stunt Double
Ubay Dillah	...	Naga / Mad Dog's Man #1
Taufik Arrahman	...	Mad Dog's Man #2
Acip Sumardi	...	Mad Dog's Man #3
Muhammad Yazid	...	Tomi / Andi's Man #1
Saifan Nur	...	Angga / Andi's Man #2
Umi Kulsum	...	Gofar's Wife
Fiqih Hardana Yuanza	...	Spotter Boy #1
Daffa Sikumbang	...	Spotter Boy #2 (as Dafa Sikumbang)
Eka Aprilyana	...	Drug's Lab Guard #1
Ali Nurkoto	...	Drug's Lab Guard #2
Achmad Supriatno	...	Drug's Lab Guard #3
Muhammad Yusuf	...	Drug's Lab Guard #4
Nur Wahyu Santosa	...	Drug's Lab Guard #5
Dedy Djunaedi	...	Drug's Lab Guard #6
Sutarno	...	Drug's Lab Guard #7 / Money (as Setiarno)
Sahlianto	...	Drug's Lab Guard #8
Tuhen	...	Drug's Lab Guard #9
Dedy Murphy Avivu	...	Drug's Lab Guard #10 (as Dedy Murphy)
Very Tri Yulisman	...	Drug's Lab Guard #11
Dedi Irawan	...	Drug's Lab Guard #12
Andry Ganda Wijaya	...	Drug's Lab Guard #13
Hekmadiah	...	Drug's Lab Guard #14
Mardiyono Sulaiman	...	Drug's Lab Guard #15
Ade Sudiarto	...	Drug's Lab Guard #16
Safaringga	...	Drug's Lab Guard #17
Sandi Suandi	...	Drug's Lab Guard #18
Jhon Hendri	...	Drug's Lab Guard #19
Sutarso	...	Drug's Lab Guard #20
Dedy Supriadi	...	Drug's Lab Guard #21
Haikun	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #1
Suharyanto Priyoaji	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #2
Ahmad Ramadhan	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #3
Wawan	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #4
Halim Mubarroq	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #5
Henriza Tamara	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #6
Udeh Putralaga	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #7
Ahmad Syarifundi	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #8
Rachmat Maulana Fajar	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #9
Rahmad Idayad	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #10
Elvin	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #11
Gusmal Mirson	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #12
Julfajri Hidayat	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #13
Novi Rahmat Hidayat	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #14
Muhammad Abduh	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #15
Machris Julian Iskandar	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #16
Machtrein Muchram	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #17
Muhammad Irvan	...	Carrying Bowo Fighter #18
Saat Arrohim	...	Hole Drop Attacker #1
Muhammad Abdillah	...	Hole Drop Attacker #2
Hengky Maukar	...	Hole Drop Attacker #3
Abi Cancer	...	Hole Drop Attacker #4
A. Ariyanto	...	Hole Drop Attacker #5
M. Aslam	...	Hole Drop Attacker #6
Eko Kurnianto	...	Hole Drop Attacker #7
Ahmad Basuni	...	Hole Drop Attacker #8
Mulyadi Marlon	...	AK-47 Attacker #1
Abdul Majid	...	AK-47 Attacker #2
Ibnu Anas	...	AK-47 Attacker #3
Wijanarko	...	AK-47 Attacker #4
Aloysius Pien	...	AK-47 Attacker #5
Azri Abon	...	Sniper #1
Acong Susanto B. Sugiono	...	Sniper #2
Hartono Tejokusumo	...	15th Floor Attacker #1
Kemoks Alfarez	...	15th Floor Attacker #2
Achmad Alwi Sobari	...	15th Floor Attacker #3
Gregorius Ludony	...	15th Floor Attacker #4
Danang Kasianto	...	15th Floor Attacker #5
Wempi Stanly Renyaan	...	Riot Van Shooter #1
Rico	...	Riot Van Shooter #2
Dovan	...	Riot Van Shooter #3
Dominggus Uskono	...	Riot Van Attacker #1
Emanuel Y. Ceufin	...	Riot Van Attacker #2
Antonio Dosantos	...	Riot Van Attacker #3
Adhi Permana	...	Tama's Victim #1
A. Amarudin	...	Tama's Victim #2
Rendra	...	Tama's Victim #3
M. Rizal	...	Tama's Victim #4
Ardi Mg	...	Tama's Victim #5 (as Ardi Mg.)
Esa W. Sie	...	Iko Uwais' Stunt Double
Sahlianto Alfridus	...	Alfridus Godfred's Stunt Double
Iwan Hariyandi	...	Falling Guard
Harry Karmus	...	Spy Hole Man
Indra Mulyana	...	Apartment Night Guard
Victoria	...	Junkie Girl
Imam Dharmawan Santoso	...	Junkie Guy #1
Adilof Firdaus	...	Junkie Guy #2
Aji Muslim	...	Sleeping Man
Muhammad Nimin	...	Panic Man
Adi Nurahman	...	Tortured Man
Rizal	...	Pierre Gruno's Body Double

Directed by
Gareth Evans		(as Gareth Huw Evans)

Writing credits
Gareth Evans		(written by) (as Gareth Huw Evans)

Produced by
Rangga Maya Barack-Evans	....	executive producer (as R. Maya Barack-Evans)
Nate Bolotin	....	executive producer
Todd Brown	....	executive producer
Irwan D. Mussry	....	executive producer
Daiwanne Ralie	....	line producer (as Daiwanne P. Ralie)
Ario Sagantoro	....	producer

Original Music by
Mike Shinoda
Joseph Trapanese

Cinematography by
Matt Flannery		(director of photography)
Dimas Imam Subhono		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Gareth Evans		(as Gareth Huw Evans)

Art Direction by
T. Moty D. Setyanto		(as Moti D. Setyanto)

Makeup Department
Albasirun	....	assistant makeup special effects
Albasirun	....	hair stylist
Novie Ariyantie	....	assistant makeup special effects (as Nopi Aryanti)
Novie Ariyantie	....	hair stylist (as Nopi Aryanti)
Lisa Desiana	....	assistant makeup special effects
Lisa Desiana	....	hair stylist
Jerry Octavianus	....	special makeup effects artist
Puri Indah Sari	....	assistant makeup special effects
Puri Indah Sari	....	hair stylist
Eni Sulismi	....	hair stylist
Eni Sulismi	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Bill Wohlken	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dondy Adrian	....	first assistant director (as Dondy Adrian Senjaya)
Mus Danang Danar Dono	....	assistant director
Imam Dharmawan Santoso	....	assistant director
Ginanti Rona Tembang Sari	....	assistant director (as Ginanti Rona Tembang Asri)

Art Department
Muhamad Aji	....	set builder
Arief	....	ageing
Syahidan Arif	....	set dresser
Daniel Christian	....	set dresser
Geor	....	set builder
Ginawan	....	set builder
Ómar Örn Hauksson	....	designer: original poster (as Ómar Hauksson)
Kibo Hikmah	....	property
Imam	....	set builder
Karmiadi	....	set builder
Isa Maulana	....	property buyer
Muin	....	set builder
Gemi Nuramdhiani	....	art finance
Ekki Muhammad Nurutama	....	property master
Ridwan	....	set builder
Ade Rusman	....	assistant art director
Andi Setiawan	....	property master
Jafar Shiddiq	....	graphic designer
Sutarno	....	ageing
Suwarno	....	set builder
Reza Akmal Syah	....	set dresser
Muhammad Syarifudin	....	set dresser (as Syarifudin)
Tohar	....	set builder
Zulfahmi	....	property

Sound Department
Bonar Abraham	....	sound mixer
R. Asep Allawi	....	boom and cable puller
Syaiful Anwar	....	boom operator
Aria Prayogi	....	sound designer
Aria Prayogi	....	sound mixer
Jack Arthur Simanjuntak	....	sound mixer
Suhadi	....	production sound
Sandika Widjaja	....	sound mixer
Fajar Yuskemal	....	sound designer
Fajar Yuskemal	....	sound mixer
Ethan Beigel	....	additional sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Ethan Beigel	....	foley (uncredited)
Paul Hammond	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Rizky Jay Ardana	....	mock up special effects
Use Badhu	....	armoury mockup (as Use Bhadu)
Fadlan	....	special effects (as Fadian)
Iwan Gunawan	....	armoury mockup
Sumiadi Idris	....	mock up special effects
Mukri	....	special effects
Yudi Muhamad Nugraha	....	armoury mockup
Imam Dharmawan Santoso	....	special effects (as Santoso)
Untung Sepriana	....	special effects (as Untung S.)
Benjamin Setiabudi	....	armoury advisor
Sugeng	....	special effects
Sumanto	....	special effects (as Suhanto)
Wanto	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Didik Juwandi A.	....	assistant visual effects artist
Budi Alam	....	assistant visual effects artist
Idris Azhari	....	assistant visual effects artist
Modestus Darwis	....	assistant visual effects artist
Hadibowo	....	assistant visual effects artist
Eduard Hakim	....	assistant visual effects artist
Firman Husani	....	assistant visual effects artist
Andi Novianto	....	visual effects artist
Hendra Nurdiansyah	....	assistant visual effects artist
Erik Rahmadi	....	assistant visual effects artist
Eri Rahman	....	assistant visual effects artist
Hendarto Raksajaya	....	assistant visual effects artist
Septa A. Rismanto	....	assistant visual effects artist
Edi Sanjaya	....	assistant visual effects artist
Helmi Setiawan	....	assistant visual effects artist
Markus Sinaga	....	assistant visual effects artist
Herry Suntoro	....	assistant visual effects artist
Arifin Tata	....	assistant visual effects artist
Ardi Timor	....	assistant visual effects artist
Johan Yulianto	....	assistant visual effects artist

Stunts
Gareth Evans	....	action choreographer (as Gareth Huw Evans)
Eka 'Piranha' Rahmadia	....	stunt coordinator
Rama Ramadhan	....	stunt performer
Yayan Ruhian	....	action choreographer
Esa W. Sie	....	stunt coordinator
Yandi 'Piranha' Sutsina	....	stunt coordinator (as Yandi 'Piranha' Sutisna)
Iko Uwais	....	action choreographer

Camera and Electrical Department
Moh. Yakub Agusman	....	best boy
Dody Amaya	....	videographer
Miller Anderson-Situmorang	....	card loader
Fahri Anugrah	....	special rigging
Saiful Anwar	....	jimmy jib operator
Yuli Arfan	....	grip
Berliyonda	....	grip
Rully Chaniago	....	generator operator
Gunawan Dharmaputra	....	photographer: original poster
Wahyudi Fouriestia	....	assistant camera
Wahyudi Fouriestia	....	focus puller
Budy Haryanto	....	best boy
Helmi	....	assistant camera
Helmi	....	focus puller
Nurul Huda	....	lighting technician
Nurokhman Bin Kamim	....	videographer
Mufti Nur Khrom	....	still photographer
Rinto Ambar Krisnanto	....	key grip
Putra Marbun	....	lighting technician
Harotno Maskot	....	gaffer (as Harotno 'Maskot')
Ewet Akhirwan Nurhaidir	....	photographer: original poster
Ewet Akhirwan Nurhaidir	....	still photographer
Gandhi Prabowo	....	photographer: original poster
Mohamad Priyatna	....	lighting technician
Saripudin	....	special rigging
Yayat Abdul Soleh	....	card loader
Gatut Subowo	....	jimmy jib operator
Nana Suhana	....	grip
Erwin Sujatmiko	....	videographer
Supardi	....	videographer
Niman Syafari	....	special rigging
Gumilar Triyoga	....	still photographer
Winarto	....	lighting technician
Gigih Wisosa	....	clapper
Yudi	....	special rigging

Casting Department
Fadiptya Hadi	....	casting assistant: performer
Melisa Hana Kristianty	....	casting director: action
Yoghi Andre Mulyanto	....	casting assistant: performer
Aji Muslim	....	casting director: supporting
Adi Nurahman	....	roles talent coordinator
Deary Yunda	....	roles talent coordinator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Wisnu Aman	....	set costumer
Aldie Harra	....	costume buyer (as Aldi Harra)
Mahdyaji	....	set costumer
Upay Maryani	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Andi Novianto	....	editing supervisor
Yayat Abdul Soleh	....	assistant editor
Gilbert Carreras	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Brian Richards	....	supervising music editor
Bruno Roussel	....	music editor
Kier Lehman	....	music supervisor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Irfan Affandi	....	driver
Efendi	....	driver
Agung Gunawan	....	driver
Handiri	....	driver
Mohammad Kusnohadi	....	driver
M. Marsudi	....	driver
Dedi Munandar	....	driver
Nasim	....	driver
Nurdianto	....	driver
Shony Prasetyawan	....	driver
Rizal	....	driver
Pathur Rohman	....	driver
R. Erlangga Samil	....	driver
Hidayat Saripuding	....	driver
Pardomulan Simanjuntak	....	driver
Alan Siswandi	....	driver
Tri Sutrisno	....	driver
Waris Tarnoto	....	driver
Tonny	....	driver

Other crew
Ade Achmad	....	medic and paramedic
Husein Ali	....	accountant and finance
Atailah Amk	....	medic and paramedic
Didik Siswantoro Amk	....	medic and paramedic
Teguh Priyanto Amk	....	medic and paramedic
Syaiful Anwar	....	logistics
Ardiansyah Bahar	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Ardiansyah Bahar)
Oke Bayuaji	....	production coordinator
Adam Gemayel Damanik	....	office assistant
Harry Dharyanto	....	production assistant
Erwin	....	logistics
Abdul Gofar	....	office assistant
Hirup Hadi	....	production assistant
Zaenal Hendri	....	logistics
Hidayatulloh	....	assistant location manager
Abdul Rohim Miftahul Jannah	....	script supervisor
Lenggo G. Leiwakabessy	....	legal advisor: Makes & Partners
Abdul Halik Malik	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Abdul Halik Malik)
Sinar Ayu Massie	....	script translator
Intan Melvina	....	office production
Muhammad Nugraha	....	logistics
Gibson Pardede	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Gibson Pardede)
Parmanto	....	massage therapist
Deny Prihandoko	....	medic and paramedic
Hesti Purw-Aningsih	....	behind the scenes interviewer
Hesti Purwaningsih	....	office production
Hesti Purwaningsih	....	production coordinator
Fathur Rahman	....	assistant location manager
Sobari	....	logistics
Suhendar	....	production coordinator
Agus Sunaryo	....	location manager
Supandi	....	massage therapist
Supardi	....	massage therapist
Iman Susanto	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Iman Susanto)
Arif Sutrisno	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Arif Sutrisno)
Suwardi	....	massage therapist
Sylvi	....	accountant and finance
Yoesrianto Tahir	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Yoesrianto Tahir)
Zulkifli Tamrin	....	medic and paramedic (as Dr. Zulkifli Tamrin)
Wahidin	....	office assistant

Thanks
Haryadi Anwar	....	special thanks
Joko Anwar	....	special thanks
Ross Boyask	....	special thanks (as Ross Boyoask)
Irma Desi Christianti	....	special thanks
Rusly Edi	....	special thanks (as Rusli 'Sly' Eddy)
Ekky Imanjaya	....	special thanks
Mike Leeder	....	the producers wish to thank
Andrew Mack	....	special thanks
Stephan Meloy	....	in loving memory of
The Mo Brothers	....	special thanks
Nick Spicer	....	special thanks
Aram Tertzakian	....	special thanks
Sheila Timothy	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Pt. Merantau Films (as Merantau Films)
• Celluloid Dreams (in association with) (as Celluloid Nightmares)
• XYZ Films (in association with)

Distributors

• Madman Entertainment (2012) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Celluloid Dreams (2011) (worldwide) (all media) (as Celluloid Nightmares)
• Madman Entertainment (2012) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
• Stage 6 Films (2012) (USA) (all media)
• Sony Pictures Classics (2012) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Volga Film (2012) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Future Film (2012) (Finland) (all media)
• Cathay-Keris Films (2012) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Momentum Films (2012) (UK) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2012) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2012) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alliance Films (2012) (Canada) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Feelgood Entertainment (2012) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Festive Films (2012) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Kadokawa Pictures (2012) (Japan) (theatrical)
• PARLUX Entertainment (2012) (Hungary) (theatrical)
• SND (2012) (France) (theatrical)
• Viva Films (2012) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2012) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2012) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• CN Entertainment (2012) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• CN Entertainment (2012) (Hong Kong) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Film1 (2013) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Koch Media (2012) (Germany) (all media)
• M2 Films (2012) (Poland) (all media)
• Midget Entertainment (2011) (Denmark) (all media)
• Sundream Motion Pictures (2012) (Hong Kong) (all media)

Other Companies

• TK Catering  catering
• Si Kojel Catering  catering
• Anggrek Catering  catering
• Siam Film Development Company  digital post production
• Makes & Partners  legal advisor
• Inter Pratama Studio Laboratorium  the producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of
• Studio 3 Production  the producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of
• Senjaya Bersama Utama  the producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of
• Hikari Physiotheraphy  the producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of
• Toysaurus  the producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of
• Madison Gate Records  soundtrack
• Post Haste Sound  post-production sound services (uncredited)
• Sony Classical  soundtrack (uncredited)

Also Known As:

"Serbuan maut" - Indonesia (original title)
"The Raid" - International (English title) (imdb display title), UK (imdb display title)
"The Raid" - Japan (English title) (imdb display title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence throughout, and language

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

Indonesia | USA

Language:

Indonesian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Datasat

Certification:

UK:18 | Philippines:R-16 | Australia:MA15+ | USA:R (certificate #47103) | New Zealand:R18 | France:16 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Hong Kong:III | India:A | Netherlands:16 | Ireland:18 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Germany:18 | Japan:R15+ | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-18 | Brazil:16

Filming Locations:

Indonesia

Company:

Pt. Merantau Films

Trivia:

All the guns used in the film are Airsoft replicas and not functioning firearms. All the shots of the guns actions cycling, muzzle flashes and casings ejecting were added digitally.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Punch sounds are heard when no punches were laid. This is in the American version of the movie. In the original all sounds are fine. The goof is created by bad dubbing/ sound editing making the movie understandable for that country.

Quotes:

Machete Gang #1:If I'm mad, I will enrage.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Bad Movie Beatdown: Review of 2012 (#4.29)" (2013)

Soundtrack:

Razors Out

Just when you thought the book couldn't be rewritten . . .

NOTE: Early, gushing reviews from TIFF Midnight Madness presentations should not generally be trusted, as many fest-goers are unable to separate the film from the experience, and formal critical consensus often sends most Midnight films into obscurity. Thankfully, THE RAID earns its stripes and deserves its praise, and stands firmly above the typically overeager reactions heaped on many other films screened in the Midnight program this year and in years past.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the future, when someone tells you a movie is wall-to-wall martial arts and gunplay, you should have no choice but to ask them how it rates against this picture, which has so much gunfire and brutal martial arts action -- all of it meticulously choreographed in ways more refreshing than I'd ever have thought possible in this world of peak-performance Donnie Yens and Tony Jaas -- that I very nearly lost the hearing in my right ear, in no small part thanks to the tendency of TIFF sluggos to mistake volume for quality when adjusting their sound levels in an aged, less-than--acoustically-ideal theatre.

Star Iko Uwais is the real deal: wiry, lightning-fast and evidently the leader of a team of experts that truly takes martial arts choreography into new territory with this film (and, to a lesser extent, MERENTAU before it). If there's a downside to his inevitable celebrity because of this film, it's that Indonesian cinema in general will fare no better than Thai cinema has in the wake of Tony Jaa. Like Jaa, anything Uwais makes from this film on -- especially if he keeps teaming with writer-director Gareth Evans, as he should for at least a couple more pictures -- will gain instant and welcome interest from the west, while the rest of Indonesian cinema (such as it is!) will remain the domain of low-brow entertainment that caters largely to the locals, with the exception of the occasional horror movie that can be scooped up for exploitation by "Asian Extreme" DVD labels and streams in the U.S. and Europe.

What really separates this picture from the hordes of martial arts films from the region is its heavy use of Silat, the native martial art of Indonesia. I've seen a billion martial arts pictures over the years, and a million "styles" to go with them, but I'll admit my knowledge of Silat was absolute zero, and this movie turned out to be a wonderful wakeup call.

The key thing about Silat is that it involves knives, lots of 'em, and the film's heroes and villains deploy them with extreme prejudice for almost the entire duration. One stab won't do, but ten capped off by a throat slashing is a good way to gauge whether you've won the battle.

By way of example, picture the exemplary alley-fight-with-sharp-weapons between Donnie Yen and Jackie Wu Jing in SPL (a personal favourite sequence). Now, double the speed (!), and make the ultimate goal to stab, slice or otherwise eviscerate your opponent into oblivion, and you've got most of the hand-to-hand combat in THE RAID. Hero cop Uwais has this neat little trick where he stabs a long blade deep into your upper thigh, then yanks it clean down to your kneecap. Ouch! This thing is bloody with a capital B, but it's so exceptionally well choreographed, photographed and edited that you never lose sight of the geography surrounding the combatants or feel like you've missed a single blow or puncture as each new pair (or group!) of fighters grinds each other down.

Evans' editing in particular is a standout, and rather refreshingly, it isn't used to hide little bits of phony business or make the fight participants look more skilled than they really are, such as it often is in so many action pictures these days (both in western, and, sadly, many Asian cinemas; Legend of the Fist, I'm looking at you). Evans' performers know their stuff, and his editing does more showing than telling.

As to the picture as a whole, if you thought the final 40 minutes of John Woo's HARD BOILED were collectively one of the greatest pieces of action cinema from anywhere ever, imagine that cinematic Nirvana expanded to feature length, and with virtually no fat. The movie starts with a team of elite cops attempting to covertly secure a maze-like high-rise slum apartment building run by a merciless drug lord (when we first meet him, he's executing five bound and gagged men in his office, but he runs out of bullets for the fifth guy, which causes him to casually grab a hammer out of his desk drawer . . . ). Within minutes, though, his goons -- who populate every floor of the building like cockroaches, fight like rabid dogs and spontaneously appear around every corner and out of every doorway -- turn the tables and wipe out most of the fleet in a monster battle of guns, fists, feet and the ubiquitous knives, trapping just a precious few of our heroes on the sixth and seventh floors with little hope of escape.

Aside from a couple of quiet moments where allegiances on both sides of the field shift, not unexpectedly, that's pretty much it in terms of plot, and it obvious the filmmakers would have it no other way. This is a showcase, for Silat, for Indonesia and for Iko Uwais, who is very much the "next Tony Jaa" (as I'm sure he'll be labeled far and wide), for better and, somewhat regrettably, for worse in terms of his country's film industry, for he may very well come to single-handedly represent it around the globe. Not that I'm complaining after having been winded by such an audacious effort as THE RAID.

Barry Prima who?