The Raid: Redemption (2011) - Balls-to-The Wall Action But Nothing Else

This one has been on the radar for a while, as I have heard things like it's the best pure action movie of the 21st Century. I finally popped it on when I was in the mood for some ass-whooping.

The premise ise simple - an Indonesian SWAT team commits a raid on a drug kingpin's apartment building. Well, the kingpin is armed and waiting with more bad guys, guns, and Kung Fu than you can shake a stick at. If that's not a great setup for action fans, I don't know what is.

This movie doesn't have too much of a plot, and doesn't bother with anything like character development or arcs. Sure, there's a bit of corruption, a bit of a pregnant wife at home, and a little family squabbling, but who really cares? You're here for carnage, bullets, and bloodshed. 

When I say violence, I mean vi-o-le-nce. It's ruthless and fast. There are some quick breaks for silly things like plot development, but then it's back to action again. The cinematography is on point, the choreography is off the charts, and the stuntwork is a marvel. There isn't much else to critique, though.

Action fans got to dip into this. Don't worry about it having subtitles because you aren't watching it for the script. There is so much action you tend to start tuning it out and wondering if these guys ever get tired or brain damage, but it's not that kind of movie you should care about something like that.

IA random stranger's opinion - If action is what you're looking for, this is a great one. If you're looking for anything else, look elsewhere.

Grade: B+