It’s been nearly a decade since then-budding action hero Iko Uwais slowly and progressively catapulted his way to global phenom and success with Merantau. His next recurring venture with Gareth Huw Evans at helm would all but reassure his posterity among the fandom with 2011 crime thriller, The Raid, garnering praise for its kinetic fight scene action mired in a mezmerizing soundtrack, and a memorable cast of characters to boot with Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah and Yayan Ruhian among the lot.
Its sequel would also garner further greatness and approval among those keen on staying in its purview while, and who, to this day, still long for a threequel that Evans himself has asserted will remain shelved. It may not come as a surprise considering Joe Carnahan and Frank Grillo are masterminding a rather stark, fresh take on the IP for a relaunch of The Raid with Evans at the forefront with his own approval. I have my own ideas about how that may play out, and similarly, all the more reason to hope that it turns into something great.
At the least however, this won’t change the very existence of the original film nor the love and appreciation it has received along with its star who will kick his way to a headlining Hollywood debut this Friday in Peter Berg’s Mile 22. And so in the meantime, if you live in New York City (specifically in or near the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn) and you’re up for the moonlight hours of Friday and Saturday, then click here for tickets, then head on to Nighthawk, bring friends and make it a party.
Better yet, make it a double-billing with Mile 22 if you like, and best keep a lookout for Triple Threat and The Night Comes For Us!
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Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
