Synopsis:
The Raid 2: Berandal is an action thriller also referred to as The Raid 2 which, along with The Raid: Redemption, is authored and directed by Gareth Evans. The movie follows Rama, a heroic police officer who is more than courageous and skilled, like in one the movie’s prequels, but much more sophisticated as the movie leaves the confines of the original setting of the first film: an apartment building.
Rama has lived through a tirade, as seen at the end of the last installament of the movie, only to be greeted by news of the rampant police corruption possiblity by his superiors. These superiors claim that the defeat of the Raid wasn’t really an end. That there exists a great criminal society that, intertwined with the police, is the root of the criminal activity the police are full of and, to bring the root to light, he has to go untethered.
In order to fight the systemic and real threats he faces and to truly protect true justice, his family more than anything, he has to make the deal. In order to create a new real identity, he has to spend time in a stinking with a fake name. The only way to spend time is to, in his case, aid in the trust breakdown that he gains and, “be a friend” of Uco, a powerful crime lord. This time in an agonzing prison.
Upon his release, Rama is graciously accepted into Bangun’s firm, where he embarks on is his perilous endeavor to gather intel on the underworld’s intricacies. To his shock, he uncovers the ominous conflict unfolding between Bangun and another ambitious crime boss, a shadowy yet cunning fellow named Bejo, who is seemingly always attempting to ascend the underworld’s ladder.
With the passage of time, the conflict only heats up. Uco’s growing dissatisfaction toward his father and his need to maintain equilibrium between the the feuding syndicates makes him susceptible to Bejo’s influence and schemes for a power grab. Rama, on the other hand, is a pawn in the conflict, desperate to gather intel on not only the syndicates, but also the law enforcement officers on their payroll to stay alive.
The movie ends with the emotional, climactic sequence where elements of betrayal, and the revealing of hidden truths come into play. Rama is forced to not only fight in order to protect his principles but also to tap into his dormant energies to keep his foundation steady.
Cast & Crew
The Raid 2 revolves around Iko Uwais, who again takes on the role of Rama. Uwais, a martial artist in real life, adds dimensionality and realism to the role. Unlike most action heroes, Rama is a man of emotion and principle. His journey, however, is moral as well — one that is riddled with deceit and betrayal.
Uco, the crime boss’ son, is played by Arifin Putra. He is conflicted and unapologetically ambitious. His character depicts the internal struggles of a person trapped between betrayal and the desire to claim power. Indeed, Putra’s performance is both powerful and tragic.
Pakusadewo takes on the role of Bangun — the aged, composed leader of the crime syndicate who attempts to stabilize the chaos of the underworld in Jakarta. Unlike the other youthful characters, Bangun is characterized by his restraint and wisdom; force is not a means he chooses to utilize.
Bejo is played by Alex Abbad, a manipulative outsider with the intention of ascending while strategically and skillfully controlling the other characters. Bejo is a source of tension and trepidation in the plot.
Also directing the first movie, Gareth Evans applies his bespoke style and narrative flair on the sequel, The Raid 2. He worldbuilds the narrative considerably, expanding from a single building in the first movie to a sprawling transactional criminal empire in the sequel. He keeps his consultation narrow, promoting focus on realism, atmosphere, and emotional intensity. Evans’ style remains evident as he manages to carve an immersive world.
Matt Flannery and Dimas Imam Subhono cinematically capture the balance of Jakarta’s beauty and squalor. Angles often follow characters in a series of well-crafted, protracted takes that display more than just the action, but the emotional pay-off as well. The action sequences engage the audience and the world they are in through the conscious use of color, lighting, and camera movement.
The score crafted by Joseph Trapanese and Aria Prayogi shapes the film by adding structure and emotional tension. The audience experiences the emotional reflection of Rama as the heartbeat of the Rama lies tied to the film’s endless suspense and drama.
The IMDb Ratings
The Raid 2 triumphs on IMDb, having a score of 7.9, showcasing the audience and critic appreciation for the film because of the action, narrative, and emotional depth.
The critics have pointed out the film’s ability to surpass the previous title. While The Raid: Redemption was limited to the theme of survival in a singular chamber, The Raid 2 broadens its canvas to a more intricate and ambitious narrative. It goes beyond the rudimentary plots of gang warfare and betrayal to delve into the emotional burdens of being an undercover operative.
The audiences have praised the authenticity and conviction of Iko Uwais’s performance. He transforms the reel portray of Rama into a more meaningful escapade, stripping the narrative of its action movie skin and adorning it with empathy and relatability.
The film is recognized for successfully coming up with a combination of realistic and artistic choreography for each of the fight scenes. The emotional and psychological states of the characters are captured and adequately represented in the fight scenes, which is especially designed to excite and thrill the audience.
There is a fair amount of divide in the audience about the film’s 150-minute runtime. While a significant amount of the audience feels that it is quite long for an action movie, the rest of the audience seem to understand that the pacing coupled with character development alongside the multidimensional aspects of the movie justify the total runtime. The seamless and smooth interlacing of story with action is regarded as one of the film’s biggest accomplishments.
Conclusion
The Raid 2 surpasses The Raid: Redemption in plot complexity and character development, rivaling and mixing action with drama, betrayal, and loyalty, along with moral conflict and personal duty.At its core, the film explores the cost of doing what is right in a world full of compromise. Rama is a man, not a superhero, and is caught in the middle of a system he is aiming to change in protecting its bounds. Aander Ramos’ character struggles with the justice vs. survival, and the truth vs. secrets expressive elements, and the suspense he creates in the film is magnificent.
In a very remarkable way, Evans Gareth manages to construct a film in which the audience does not embarrassingly dumb-down but is instead absorbed in the enchanting action. The action scenes in the film, though, are equally constructive and lit in character in Rama and his family, Uco and his rinner, and the serene Bangun. All these characters strive to enhance the tale comprising of fragments which is interesting and marvelously put together.
The dialect of The Raid 2 has a stylistic prominence which garners the viewers’ attention. The addition of supplementary audio to enhance the stature in the visuals is masterly executed to a point where the MPI does and does not embrace the beautiful portrait within the turmoil.
Ultimately, The Raid 2 is a story about choice. The choice between personal sacrifices to uphold what justice stands for in a world that seems to be void of any, is a difficult sacrifice to make. It is about loss, loyalty, and ambition. The breadth of which cements the oftentimes, blurry parameters between loss and heroism. The Raid 2 is much more than an action film to its loyal film fans that appreciate quality storylines intertwined with expert storytelling and cinematography.
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