The Raid 2 does not disappoint - it is an excellent sequel. The adoption of a wider scale (in terms of time, locations and narrative) means that it lacks the tension and compactness of the first film, but this is compensated for by a more ambitious gangland canvas and creating in its long running time room for characters and moments to breathe. Fans of the original will undoubtedly be drawn back by the promise of more and copious balletic bloody violence, and indeed again the action is swift, frantic and extraordinary, with the bonus here of an amazingly-handled car chase. Indeed, Gareth Evans proves to be an even more audacious and bold director here, making not just a terrific action film but a hugely cinematic one too, from the early prison-yard smackdown to the relentless Shakespearean-tragedy-style finale. Iko Uwais again proves to be a dynamic and engaging on-screen presence, but credit is also due to Arifin Putra as the overly-ambitious gangleader's son who provides the key link for Uwais to infiltrate the underworld and uncover police corruption. If cinema violence is cathartic, The Raid 2 is one of the most mesmerising and liberating action films ever, and if you can stomach it, it is thrillingly entertaining.
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