Film Review: The Raid (2011)

Pictured: A machete fight. Not pictured: Redemption.

The Raid is a film that consists largely, in fact almost solely of people fighting. This is both its biggest weakness and its greatest triumph, depending entirely on what it is that the viewer wants from the film. If you are looking for a film full of memorable characters, crackling dialogue and emotion that extends beyond, "Ow, I have just had my spine broken and I'm pretty upset about it oh I'm dead," then the film will probably leave you wanting. If, on the other hand, you want to see a film that offers non-stop visceral excitement with minimum fuss but maximum fun, then The Raid is absolutely the film for you.