There was a lot of hype around this Indonesian film. It may have all come from Doug Loves Movies - that's where I get 50% of my movie reviews. Just checking Rotten Tomatoes, where I get the other 50%, The Raid gets an 85%, which is pretty darn good. And it's a decent movie, but I would say over-hyped.
There isn't too much to the plot. A heavily equipped, elite police squad infiltrates an apartment building controlled by a ruthless, violent drug lord. As soon as the drug lord finds out, he shuts down the building and puts a call out to tenants to kill the invaders. All hell breaks loose. Who will make it out alive?
It is a pure action movie, which is why I'm not that impressed. Action movies don't do much for me. It is usually obvious who will win each battle and most of the fights are overly contrived.
The other problem with the movie is an incoherent plot twist. The reasons for the raid are never explained sufficiently. Neither are the reasons that reinforcements are unavailable. There is some hint of corruption in the upper ranks of the police force, but they remain only hints. It bothers me when that happens.
If you like action, it's a good time. Otherwise, nothing new to see. And if you don't like foreign films, check out the virtually identical American film Dredd, which I will review later.
First Viewing: 3+2+2+2+2 = 11