THE RAID 2 Gets A U.S. Street Date!

It’s Friday. You know what that means? It means it’s the perfect day to go nuts with excitement over anything if your subsequent weekend allows it. For me, such a day came back in March when my friend, independent filmmaker Jon Truei and I went to see director Gareth Evans‘ latest cult blockbuster, The Raid 2. And he knows first hand how nuts I was; I was inconsolable with every joyful butt kicking minute. And if you have seen the film yet, you know exactly what I mean.

With that in mind, the film is still circulating in theaters around the world. And for filmgoers in North America who haven’t had a chance to see the film in theaters, then you needn’t worry too long. You’ll be able to finally bring the magical cinematic asskickery to your home theater with the film’s forthcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release in less than two months. And today, CraveOnline brought the exclusive look of the DVD and Blu-Ray box art pictured below, in addition to all the specs you can check out.

Mind you, if you’re an action fan and haven’t seen the first film yet, know that I don’t like you. I’m kidding, but still. The Raid (2012) is already available wherever movies are sold, and I highly recommend seeing it as an obvious lead-in to The Raid 2 before too much time passes and you’re busy sitting there three years from now wondering if there was even a first a second movie before the third came out. And yes, it’s a forthcoming trilogy. And The Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes will be helming a remake of the first film.

You’re welcome.

Feast your eyes on the art and details below!

Director Gareth Huw Evans reunites with star Iko Uwais for the sequel to their cult hit with the acclaimed, action-packed martial arts epic THE RAID 2, available on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD July 8 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  After fighting his way out of a building filled with gangsters and madmen, Rama (Uwais) thought he could return to his normal life. Instead, his success puts himself and his family in danger, forcing him to go undercover to bring down a nefarious and powerful criminal by befriending his son. THE RAID 2 also stars Yayan Ruhain, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Julie Estelle, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endo and Kazuki Kitamura. 

The Blu-ray and DVD each come loaded with extra content, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the making of the film, including more than 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes, as well as a deleted scene and filmmaker commentary. Gareth Huw Evans’ process of transitioning the story from the first film to the sequel is explored in the “The Next Chapter: Shooting a Sequel” featurette. In the “Cinefamily Foundation Q&A” featurette, Gareth Huw Evans, Iko Uwais and Joe Trapanese discuss the making the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray is the “Gang War” deleted scene and two additional featurettes. Fans can take an inside look at the elaborate fight choreography in “Violent Ballet: Behind the Choreography,” and “Ready for a Fight: On Location” features the cast and crew on the challenges of filming in Indonesia.

Synopsis:

Immediately following the events of THE RAID, Rama (Iko Uwais) is forced to reinvent himself as an undercover cop in order to provide protection for his wife and child. Working for the anti-corruption taskforce led by the one person he can trust, Bunawar (Cok Simbara), he is given a mission to engage himself as an enforcer for a local mob boss, Bangun (Tio Pakusodewo). Finding a way in through Bangun’s son Uco (Arifin Putra), Rama must hunt for information linking Bangun with police force corruption. All the while, he harbors a dangerous and personal vendetta for revenge and justice that threatens to consume him- and bring both this mission and the organized crime syndicates crashing down. 

The film is written and directed by Gareth Huw Evans and produced by Nate Bolotin, Ario Sagantoro and Aram Tertzakian. Executive producers include Rangga Maya Barack-Evans, Todd Brown, Irwan D. Mussry and Nick Spicer.

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features Include:

●“Gang War” Deleted Scene 

●Featurettes: “Ready for a Fight: On Location,” “Violent Ballet: Behind the Choreography”

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include:

●English Dub in addition to the original language version of the film 

●Director Commentary with Gareth Huw Evans 

●Featurettes: “The Next Chapter: Shooting a Sequel,” “Cinefamily Foundation Q&A with Gareth Huw Evans, Iko Uwais & Joe Trapanese”

THE RAID 2 has a run time of approximately 150 minutes and is rated R for sequences of strong bloody violence throughout, sexuality and language.