The Raid

In the ghettos of Jakarta, one building dominates the skyline. It has no name but everyone knows what it is. Surrounded by cameras and barbed wire, fortified by his own personal bodyguards, the most notorious crime lord in Jakarta (Ray Sahtapy) watches all from his penthouse, untouchable… Until now.

A SWAT team has been assembled, specially trained and armed with assault rifles, ready to take this building back one floor at a time. The team are ready, prepared, but one by one, things start going wrong; including a ‘spotter’ setting off the alarm so everyone knows they’re here. The residents have every reason to kill any cops they find and have been given the extra incentive of free rent in return for the removal of any unwanted guests.

There is a good reason this is the film Empire magazine has named the 'best action movie of the year', and one of the few it’s given 5 stars. There are no words to express just how impressive the martial arts are in this film; the nearest would be ‘stunning’. Yayan Ruhian is particularly noteworthy as Mad Dog, an aptly named bodyguard equal parts crazy and loyal to his ruthless master, and is simply breath-taking to watch. The Raid is an action film at its best: a slickly directed, deeply visceral, relentless adrenaline ride that barely pauses to allow you time to breathe.

If you watch only one action film this year, make sure it’s the best.

Natalie Tyldesley