The Raid: Redemption made waves in 2011 when its fresh blend of hard-hitting action and inventive direction endeared it to critics and audiences worldwide. We Got This Covered even placed it at #21 on our definitive list of the Top 100 Action Movies ever made. So you can understand our excitement for the forthcoming sequel, The Raid 2: Berandal, which picks up just two hours after the brutal conclusion of Redemption. Today, we got a first look at the sequel with a character-packed new banner, which you can check out at the bottom of this article.
The new cast of characters that writer/director Gareth Evans has assembled for Berandal looks downright deadly, especially the two reputable gentlemen at far left and far right. Iko Uwais reprises his role from Redemption as Officer Rama, but the massive body count in the series’ first installment obviously makes an all-new supporting cast necessary.
The Raid: Redemption succeeded in the eyes of many critics (including our own Kristal Cooper) largely because of its expertly planned choreography, tight direction and fast pace, so with Evans still on board for Berandal, I’m confident he’ll be able to deliver another instant action classic. A complex plot was never The Raid: Redemption‘s intention, so I doubt Berandal will connect well with those who found Redemption‘s simplicity off-putting, but consider me officially stoked.
Berandal‘s concise plot synopsis reads as follows:
Picking up right where the first film ends, The Raid 2 follows Rama (Uwais) as he goes undercover and infiltrates the ranks of a ruthless Jakarta crime syndicate in order to protect his family and uncover the corruption in his own police force.
More details about the sequel’s plot will likely emerge closer to its 2014 release date, but this threatening banner surely has fans of Redemption already excited.
Evans plans to turn The Raid into a trilogy, which sounds like a great treat for cinephiles given his endless innovation with camera angles and choreography in Redemption. Action aficionados who like their action both brutal and beautiful will likely be keeping their eyes peeled for not only The Raid 2: Berandal but all future projects from Evans.
What do you think of the banner? Let us know in the comments section!
