A great action film. Not only does this movie have some of the best martial arts I have seen on screen, it has a story as well. This is rare in action films and I truly believe you can have it both ways. Although the plot is not overly complex, The Raid proves me right.
This same year, the remake of Dredd came out, and it looked so fresh and its concept was so unique compared to the status quo. Sadly my enthusiasm for that film was eclipsed when I learned it basically stole everything from this, now famous, Indonesian action film. While the villain in this film is a bit underwhelming, the action is brutal and terse throughout. The setting is a giant apartment complex, full of impoverished tenants, tens of hit men, and a small army of police officers.