Why The Raid Remake Is A Complete Recipe For Disaster
Michael Bay is producing a remake of The Raid: Redemption with director Patrick Hughes at the helm, but it seems destined to disappoint those who love the original. The 2011 martial arts classicmade a star of Iko Uwais, introduced the world to the lithe brutality of Indonesian Pencak Silat martial arts, and put Welsh director Gareth Evans on the map. It's critically lauded, boasting both audience and critic scores of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has a sequel that packs an equivalent punch (although it's arguably a less lean and direct movie than its predecessor). A remake of such a well-received and recent film may not feel necessary in the eyes of many moviegoers – largely because it isn't.
Many people wanted a sequel given the wide acclaim received by both movies, but The Raid 3 never happened. Evans took a break from making action cinema and returned to the United Kingdom from Indonesia, putting a pause on the series. What audiences are getting instead may make or break their relationship with The Raid and its sequel.
Related: Wu Assassins Is The Martial Arts Movie Franchise The Raid Couldn't Be
One of the reasons for The Raid remake's probable critical and commercial failure might be that The Raid: Redemption isn't only for action fans. Its taut structure, heartfelt performances, and escalation of the narrative in real time found a home with cinephiles alongside adrenalin junkies and fight movie snobs. The narrative thunders along and the dialogue is compelling, but the decision to remake such a physical movie for English-speaking audiences is misguided. Fight choreography is a universal language that doesn't need a forced translation.
A warning should come in the form of Oldboy. Even Spike Lee (an established,
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