What a day it must be for director Gareth Evans. Evans' Indonesian wild ride The Raid, which focuses on a police force's assault on a drug lord's stronghold, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival's Midnight Madness earlier today. On top of this, just a few hours ago it was announced that Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda is on board to compose a score. Sony Pictures acquired the distribution rights back in May at Cannes, so this will surely be hitting theaters at some point. Check out the official synopsis (via /Film), a NSFW trailer, and various reactions after the break.
For starters, here's the synopsis:
Deep in the heart of Jakarta’s slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world’s most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the run-down apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building’s lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the sixth floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city’s worst to survive their mission. Starring Indonesian martial arts sensation Iko Uwais.The trailer, a red band (meaning don't watch it at work or around kids), was released today via MTV. This one is certainly worth your two minutes.
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And now for some quick takes on The Raid (of this bunch, only Alex and David have full reviews online).
Peter Sciretta of /Film:
Alex Billington of Firstshowing.net:"When I walked into the theater today to see Gareth Evans‘ The Raid, I knew nothing about the film. I had heard some positive buzz coming out of the film’s midnight madness premiere last night at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival, but that that was it. I had no expectations, and no idea how hard my ass was going to get kicked by this Indonesian action movie. This is the best action film I’ve seen in years."
"I feel like The Raid is one of those amazing action films from abroad that those lucky enough to hear about will discover themselves, then will go back and introduce it to all of their friends, boasting about how they found this awesome movie...There are a few slow moments that allow us to catch our breath, but for the most part the action will knock you out as much as the people in the film are getting completely knock out (but at least you'll be alive at the end to tell everyone about it). What an exhilarating way to start this festival, it's a film I definitely won't be forgetting anytime soon. It truly is one of the best action films I've seen in years. That was so badass!"
And David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter:
"For a movie with very little downtime, The Raid is remarkably well modulated in its succession of extended set pieces. Full of dynamic physical stunts and imaginative death blows, the movie balances moments of intense quiet with fresh crescendos of visceral violence. This kind of relentless noise and carnage can be numbing in less skilled hands, but Evans, who also handled the rapid-fire editing, brings elegance and imagination to the outrageously charged action, as well as unflagging energy."
It's pretty difficult to not be exited for The Raid after seeing the kick butt trailer and reading all of those reactions. Because I tend to blog about the movies that get the most buzz on the festival circuit this type of posting may be getting old. However, not too many films can garner this kind of attention after only a handful of screenings. Even though the film may not be in English (and won't be raking in the dough at the box office), I'm sure this is will be a sleeper smash of a different nature whenever it hits the U.S. There are plenty of forum and blog readers, circles of film lovers, and pirates that will be ready to gobble The Raid right up. You can count me as one of them already.
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