The Raid Movies Are So Good, You Can Rewatch It Multiple Times

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Martial arts films have changed a lot since Bruce Lee revolutionized the genre in the 1960s and 70s. Since then, talented performers like Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh have steadily improved the quality of these movies. As more countries began making them, the films themselves became even more impressive, with examples like The Raid 2.

These films feature intense martial arts action and a compelling main character, and the core idea has been reimagined many times because it’s so versatile. Despite this, the continued popularity of The Raid films on streaming services demonstrates that people keep coming back to watch them again and again.

Martial Arts Movies Have Evolved Thanks to The Raid Movies

Even back in the days of the Shaw Brothers, martial arts movies relied heavily on the actors’ skills to make up for simple storylines. The main point was always the action, and that focus on exciting fight scenes is what made many of these films so successful.

Before Bruce Lee starred in The Big Boss, action movies often lacked depth. His films were different, balancing compelling stories with incredible action. This made the fight scenes even more impactful, as they felt more meaningful. This approach led to classics like Enter the Dragon, and later inspired films such as Drunken Master and the Police Story series.

Just as influential films shaped martial arts cinema, The Raid films took the genre to a new level by using intense action to hint at a deeper story. The movie follows a team of police officers who discover a dangerous conspiracy while raiding a building full of criminals, forcing their leader, Rama, to battle for survival alongside his team.

The sequel, The Raid 2, expands on the original by shifting the focus from simple survival to Rama’s mission to protect his family while infiltrating a criminal network. The Raid films have significantly influenced the martial arts genre, and their impact comes not only from the acting, but also from the way the action sequences are filmed and presented.

The Raid Movies are a Feat of Technological Filmmaking

One of the most impressive things about films like The Raid 2 isn’t simply the plot, but how that story is shown through the action sequences. And it’s not just the action itself, but how those scenes are filmed. Great movie action isn’t usually accidental; it often takes weeks or even months of careful planning. This is especially true for fight choreography, where making the impact look realistic and ensuring everyone’s safety are crucial.

Films like The Raid and its sequel often showcase Rama in incredibly challenging fights – he’s frequently tired and facing opponents who are stronger or more skilled. The famous hallway fight in the first movie perfectly illustrates this, with Rama taking on numerous enemies with his bare hands and ending the scene completely exhausted. This style of fight resembles a particularly intense sequence from the first season of a certain show.

The action sequences in The Raid 2 are truly remarkable, with the fights between Baseball Bat Man and Hammer Girl being particularly stunning. The kitchen fight is a standout, transforming a pristine white space into a scene of intense, bloody action. There’s a dark elegance to the violence, making the fight choreography feel uniquely brutal and impactful compared to other martial arts films.

When watching a fight scene, it’s easy to miss details because so much is happening at once. You can watch the same fight repeatedly and still discover new impacts or powerful moves each time. It’s hard to truly feel like you’ve seen everything, and what makes this story even better is how well the action integrates with the narrative, unlike some previous films.

The Raid Films Prove That Action Can Drive a Story

As a huge action movie fan, I’ve always said The Raid films are something special, and their popularity on streaming proves it. They’re not just non-stop fighting; they’re epic stories about a seriously skilled guy, Rama, who’s trying to escape a life he never wanted. I instantly rooted for him! And even when he’s sharing the screen with amazing martial artists like Joe Taslim, Rama doesn’t get lost in the mix. Instead, these movies are fantastic for discovering new talent – the great story really lets these performers shine, both as actors and fighters.

Audiences have seen so many action movies from Marvel and DC that while they still enjoy them, they’re starting to feel overwhelmed. This makes truly original action films, especially those focusing on intense stories rather than huge special effects, feel incredibly refreshing – which explains the continued popularity of movies like The Raid.

While Rama isn’t a superhero like Captain America, he’s a compelling character to support. Watching him battle villains, even when he’s completely worn out, is captivating and makes his films rewatchable. It’s a bit disappointing that there are only two movies centered around him, but that doesn’t lessen the impact or impressiveness of the actors’ dedication and fight choreography.

Filled with intense action, shocking violence, and memorable characters, The Raid films offer a truly captivating experience. Unlike some action movies that lose steam, this two-part series is relentlessly exciting and easily earns the label of a modern masterpiece – perfect for a night in or a weekend binge.

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2026-05-08 03:07