Here's why I prefer The Raid 2...

Don't get me wrong...The Raid Redemption is still an awesome movie. Though, when it comes to the original film, compared to the sequel...I prefer the sequel.

The problem I have with the first film, is literally due to the fact that it's non-stop action. Even though that may sound like a good thing, after a while it sort of becomes tiring, and repetitive. Now I must say, the cinematography and the fighting scenes are still enjoyable to watch regardless. If you're absolutely-positively looking for a movie with non-stop action and lots of violence...than I would recommend the first film. But like I said, the repetitiveness can get old after a while if you're looking for more depth in the story line.

I liked the beginning of The Raid Redemption, when they initially breach the building. But somewhere halfway through the film, the plot just kind of lost me. I found myself focusing more on the fight scenes than the actual plot. And this is why I prefer The Raid 2. The sequel seemed to have a bit more depth to it. It had a more interesting plot than the first film. In The Raid Redemption, all we basically get to see is the inside of a building. The Raid 2 focuses more on the life of the main character and the struggles that he's forced to endure. And plus, I do think the fight scenes in The Raid 2 were a tad bit more intense. For example, if you watch the final showdown in The Raid 2 (the epic kitchen fight scene)...it's difficult to take the final showdown from the first film seriously.

What more can I say, really? Both films are awesome. And I know, there's some people who say things like, "Well, the fight scenes are dumb". And I find that to be a bold statement. I've watched a ton of martial arts films, and without a doubt, both The Raid 1 & 2 contain a lot of memorable fighting scenes, compared to a lot of other martial arts films that are out there. Sure, it may not be realistic. Sure, some of the fight scenes may be overkill. But it's entertaining!

So in conclusion, I prefer the sequel. And trust me, when it comes to movies, that's not something that I'm used to saying. Usually, I don't have a whole of faith in sequels. But in this case, I'm willing to make an exception.