The Raid 2: 9/10

Check your heartrate at the door before entering the theater.

Because you are going to need every pulse.

The Raid 2 is a vicious, meticulous, and mercilessly tense action extravaganza that visually and aesthetically tears through the 150 minutes without missing a single beat. What just might be the most complete action film of any kind since Legend of Drunken Master back in 1994, this movie contains so much action, so much mayhem, so much brutal violence that it will make Sylvester Stallone shutter. And it's not just the quantity, it's also the quality. No CGI overkill here, you will feel every hit, punch, kick, stab, crash, burn, and baseball (trust me) thrown at all the characters involved. You have been warned----none of this is pretty in the least bit. Not for the faint of heart. Even the closing credits use red.

For fans of The Raid, the sequel might take some time to get used to. After all, the original was a fast-paced claustrophobic trip that was essentially fight first, plot later. Felt like a cinematic video game, progressing in difficulty before reaching the jaw-dropping climax. In the sequel, we have a heavier story with more characters, and far more open space. So the big question is are you willing to sacrifice a few action bits just to condense the story that involves an arsenal of gang members and crooked men double-crossing each other left and right in a city overrun by corruption and crime lords? No you're not.

Yes, the story has far more dialogue, and moves as a slower pace than the predecessor. But it still gives us an intriguing story that lacks predictability, and gives more personality to most of the characters, including our lead character Rama. But let's be truthful, you aren't here because of story. You aren't here for the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and family. You aren't here for Oscar-like material. You are here to see as much carnage as legally possible within a certain timeframe.

And boy, does it deliver.

Containing just as much action as in the original (although it was spaced out far more because of time length and storytelling elements in between), The Raid 2 is flawlessly directed and edited by Gareth Evans (easily rising as among the top directors in the world) as every single gunfight, fistfight, and chase sequence is delivered with just enough creativity, bloodshed, and content to satisfy any action fan. And the action does indeed escalate in intensity and gleeful pandemonium as we progress towards the climax---which delivers two of among the best fights this entire century. Hammer Girl, Baseball Boy, and The Assassin will make an impression on you.

The Raid 2 arrives at hungry action moviegoers like a rare steak---bloody, chewy, raw, and not made to satisfy everyone's tastes. It doesn't have the pure mindlessness of the predecessor, but the meaty plot intertwined with the no-holds-barred-in-your-face-visually-stimulating viciousness from Iko Uwais and friends more than makes up for the moments you might just be spending merely anticipating the next major action sequence. Like a series of city-shattering grenades with lengthy timers, The Raid 2 has you patiently waiting for each explosion. And you will never be disappointed by any of the outbursts.

Just remember to breathe.