The original 2011 theatrical release and subsequent early BluRay transfers, while groundbreaking, suffered from technical limitations common to low-budget, high-intensity indie films. The original digital intermediate was rendered in 2K, and early home releases exhibited noticeable digital noise, crushed blacks (hiding crucial detail in the film’s dark, claustrophobic tenement hallways), and inconsistent audio levels.
The REMASTERED BluRay (typically released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in select regions around 2016-2018) addressed these issues head-on:
The story takes place in a decrepit apartment block in Jakarta’s slums, which has become a sanctuary for the city’s most dangerous criminals and drug lords. A ruthless crime lord named Tama Riyadi runs the building with an iron fist.
An elite 20-man SWAT team, led by Sergeant Jaka and Lieutenant Wahyu, is tasked with infiltrating the building to raid Tama’s stronghold on the top floor. The mission is intended to be a stealthy extraction, but the team is spotted early on. Tama seals the exits and announces a bounty on the officers' heads. Trapped in a fortress of killers, the team is decimated. The survivors, including rookie officer Rama (Iko Uwais), must fight their way through floor after floor of machete-wielding gangsters to survive and complete their mission.
Title: The gold standard for action cinema – now sharper and meaner.
Video Quality (4.5/5):
The remaster is a significant upgrade over the original 2011 Blu-ray. Grain is better resolved, edge halos are reduced, and the oppressive, desaturated color palette (greens, grays, deep blacks) looks more natural. Close-ups reveal sweat, stubble, and fabric texture without looking artificially sharpened. Some dark corridor scenes still crush blacks slightly, but it’s likely source-related. A clean, filmic presentation that respects the low-budget grit.
Audio (5/5):
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (or Atmos, if included) is a weapon. Gunshots crack with realistic bite, Mike Shinoda & Joseph Trapanese’s electronic-industrial score rattles the subwoofer, and every bone snap/knife slice is brutally precise. Dialogue remains clear despite the chaos. A reference track for home theater demos.
Extras (3/5):
Lighter than some might hope. You’ll likely get: The Raid - Redemption -2011- REMASTERED BluRay ...
The Film (5/5):
Still the bar for modern action. Simple plot (SWAT team trapped in a 15-story drug lord’s tenement), but the escalation is flawless. Iko Uwais’ pencak silat is a revelation – brutal, efficient, and balletic. The final two-on-one fight vs. Mad Dog (Yayan Ruhian) is an all-timer. No shaky-cam, no quick-cuts: just genius staging and real athleticism.
Verdict:
If you own the old Blu-ray, upgrade. If you’ve never seen it, this is the definitive version. A violent, relentless masterpiece that makes most Hollywood action look lazy.
Recommended for: Fans of John Wick, The Night Comes for Us, Dredd (2012).
Would you like a shorter “pros & cons” bullet list instead?
Title: The Raid: Redemption - A Martial Arts Masterpiece Remastered
Introduction: In 2011, Indonesian martial arts and action cinema got a game-changer with the release of "The Raid: Redemption". Directed by Gareth Evans, this adrenaline-fueled film took the world by storm with its impressive fight choreography, intense action sequences, and gripping storyline. Now, fans can experience this modern martial arts classic like never before with the remastered BluRay edition.
The Story: The film takes place in a Jakarta apartment building, where a group of Jakarta's finest police officers, led by Lieutenant Wahyu (Pierre Gruno) and Lieutenant Tama (Iko Uwais), embark on a mission to take down a notorious crime lord, Tama's former friend, who has turned to a life of crime. However, their plan goes awry, and they find themselves trapped in the building, fighting for survival against Tama's former friends and the crime lord's henchmen. The original 2011 theatrical release and subsequent early
Martial Arts and Action: The Raid: Redemption is renowned for its heart-pumping action sequences, showcasing a unique blend of Indonesian martial arts, known as Pencak Silat, and modern fight choreography. Iko Uwais, a skilled martial artist and Pencak Silat practitioner, shines in his breakout role as Lieutenant Tama, bringing authenticity and gravitas to the film's fighting scenes. The remastered BluRay edition offers a crisp and clear viewing experience, allowing fans to appreciate the intricate details of the film's action sequences.
Remastered BluRay Features:
Special Features:
Conclusion: The remastered BluRay edition of "The Raid: Redemption" is a must-have for fans of martial arts cinema and action movies. With its stunning visuals, immersive audio, and bonus features, this release offers a definitive way to experience this modern classic. If you're a fan of intense action, gripping storytelling, and martial arts, do not miss out on this incredible film. Get ready to raid your BluRay collection and add this masterpiece to your shelf!
If you need a direct download link or stream location, I cannot provide those due to copyright restrictions, but the remastered disc is available on Amazon, Best Buy, or via Sony's direct store.
Would you like a detailed scene breakdown of the remastered version's best action sequences (e.g., the hallway fight vs. the machete brothers)?
This is a concise, professional review template for The Raid: Redemption (2011) – REMASTERED Blu-ray. You can use or adapt it for sites like Amazon, Blu-ray.com, or Letterboxd. The Film (5/5): Still the bar for modern action
The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian martial arts action film that garnered international acclaim for its relentless pacing, innovative fight choreography, and distinct visual style. Directed by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans, the film serves as a showcase for the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat. The "Remastered BluRay" format highlights the film’s crisp cinematography and kinetic sound design, offering a high-definition experience that emphasizes the visceral nature of the hand-to-hand combat.
Directed by Gareth Evans, this Indonesian action film stars Iko Uwais. The plot is famously simple: A 20-man SWAT team is trapped in a 15-story tenement run by a ruthless drug lord (Ray Sahetapy). They must fight their way up floor by floor to survive.
Note on the Title: In Indonesia, the film is simply titled Serbuan Maut. In the US and UK, it was released as The Raid: Redemption to distinguish it from a planned (but different) Hollywood remake.
If you already own the original 2011 BluRay, the upgrade is noticeable but not night-and-day. However, if you are buying this film for the first time, avoid the standard edition. Look specifically for the cover art that highlights "REMASTERED" or the "Sony Pictures Classics" 4K-sourced re-issue.
Note: There is currently no native 4K UHD BluRay release of The Raid (though fans have been begging for one for years). Until that day arrives, the 2011 REMASTERED BluRay remains the definitive way to experience the film in your home.
The original 2011 BluRay release of The Raid: Redemption was adequate for its time. Shot digitally on the Canon 5D Mark II (a DSLR camera, not a traditional cinema camera), the original film had a distinct look—high contrast, shallow depth of field, and sometimes, heavy digital noise in the dark corridors.
The REMASTERED BluRay utilizes a new 4K scan of the original digital files, combined with intelligent noise reduction and HDR color grading (where applicable). The result is staggering: