The Raid : Redemption (2011)

Well folks.  Here it is.  My first review.  Take it or leave it.

The Raid : Redemption (2011)

Let be first begin by mentioning that I am not really one for watching "fight" movies.  Never got into martial arts movies.  I don't mind watching the odd UFC fight.  But I only do that when I have a group of friends together.  And most of that is just drinking beer and hooting and hollering at the television.  UFC is three five minute rounds.  Done and over just like that.  No script.  Just the fight and that is that.

However.

A "fight" movie is completely different.  For starters.  It's scripted.  Sometimes, not always the best script.  But hey, at least someone tried something.  Secondly, you can almost look at a "fight" movie as having the same three five minute rounds.  Accept that each round of the match (movie) gets increasing more intense.  They up the ante on each one.  Each round pulling you closer to the screen and further off your seat.  You begin to really get excited to see what happens next.

And that is The Raid.

But...

It goes even further than most "fight" movies.  They decided to toss in a story to boot.  And as simplistic as it is.  It works.  You don't need something way out there.  You just need that something between rounds in the fight.  I'm not talking that girl with the #2 round sign.  I'm actually talking about a story that makes you want to keep on watching to that next stage.  Sure, it's the same story that we have all heard before, but again.  It's the simple story that helps.  We didn't sign up for the story.  Watching this, we wanted the action.  We just got lucky that they threw more in for us.  And really.  Who doesn't like a corrupt cop movie?

Now, really I could go deeper into the story at this point.  I probably should.  But I don't think I truthfully need to.  There really is no need.  You are going to see this for one reason.  The action.  And man does this have action!  You're given the first 10 minutes to get what their plan is.  Then.  BOOM!  You're being handed fight after fight for the next hour and thirty minutes.  Sure, you get a few minutes to breathe.  But forget about running to the fridge for a drink or snack.  It's already started the next round without you.  And at this point I will say that this is one of the most beautifully choreographed movies I have ever seen.  I really couldn't imagine being one of these actors and being told to "cut" mid scene.  Blood pumping, breathing hard, you name it.  But that's what you see when watching this.  You can feel their excitement and weakness at the same time.  And you are there with them.  You can almost feel the pain that they are experiencing.  They made it feel real.  Everything about the fights seem real.  Ranging from the actors to the environment.  Both go together seamlessly.  Jackie Chan has done this.  But his are more comical.  This.  Is violence.  But necessary violence.  It's not comical, it's cringe worthy.  And that just adds to the atmosphere of the movie.  You feel the desperation of the characters.  Going back.  You feel everything that they are experiencing.  You really do root for the underdog.

Continuing on.  Soundtrack and music fit it perfect.  Adding to each scene. Whether the loud pumping sounds to the eerie silence the characters endure.  The music is almost a character on its own.  Deserving its own right in the film.  Just ensuring that you feel that you are there with the characters.

So where does that leave us?  I could delve deeper into this movie.  But I choose not to.

This is a "fight" movie.  One of the best that I have ever seen.  One that I will return to watch time and time again.  Do I recommend it?  For sure!   You want an action flick.  I give you The Raid.  Sit back and enjoy!