Serbuan Maut [2011]
Directed by: Gareth Evans
Written by: Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Setrya, Ray Sahetapy
Indonesian film Serbuan Maut, the international smash hit dubbed “The Raid: Redemption” in English, manages the uncommon task of being, at the same time, exceptional and mediocre. Its many, many fights are an expertly choreographed (Uwais at work once again, along with fellow castmate Yayan Ruhian) dance of precise punches, kicks and a myriad of innovative, effortlessly cinematic ways of ending a man’s life. Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans shows a deft hand at directing creative set-pieces that actually allow you to see the relentless action, which will surely have your palms sweating and your jaw dropping (it certainly did that for me).
But this movie is all viscera and agile limbs and no heart. The impressive battles, already stunning, could be much more effective if we actually cared for the people involved. The body count is exceptionally high but few, if any, of these deaths will provoke an emotional response. For all of the flair shown in the gripping, raw fight scenes, they eventually get repetitive and leave us yearning for a more complex and satisfying story.
Cool that you put the Indonesian title on your review. Yes I will see this eventually, though I probably will have my eyes closed most of the time, ahah. Seeing Jakarta on film should be fun to watch though, I’m going back home for a week in December 🙂
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Thanks Ruth. Yeah, I always try to put the original title with my reviews. As Mark said to me once, I’m a purist when it comes to titles. And that’s very cool of you going back home in December. Have fun!
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Hey Fernando, just stopping by to say hi! How’s your new job going man? Hope all is well.
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The fight scenes often brought an unintentional smile to my face. Did it ever occur to these attackers that they’d achieve greater success if they charged all at once, rather than spacing themselves out one or two at a time? Of course then we wouldn’t get the elaborately controlled events in which every altercation is at least a 10 minute minimum.
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You’re right. But yes, where’s the fun in that? haha
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Well said Fernando. It did get Rather repetitive. That’s why I notched it down a little myself.
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Thanks!
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Hi Ruth! Thanks for checking up on me. Training is going very well! And I’ve fallen in love with Mexico City. Sadly/happily I’m going back home tonight.
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After hearing nothing but hyperbole for this it’s nice to read “mediocre”. I still haven’t had the chance to catch this. Looking forward to it, but I don’t think I’ll feel quite as guilty if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Excellent review as always!
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It’s a very fun film. The action is extraordinary, but that’s pretty much it has going for it.
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Fernando’s is a rave review compared to what I wrote. lol
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LOL, I know!
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Nice review, but you were far too generous to this film. I really don’t get why everyone loved it so much. I hated it. My thoughts should be up in less than two hours.
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