154. Russian Raid (Русский рейд); movie review

 

 

RUSSIAN RAID (РУССКИЙ РЕЙД)

Cert 15

103 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, bloody violence, sex references, sexual threat

In 2012, I watched The Raid and wrote that I doubted I would spend a more intense 90 minutes in the cinema that year.

Apparently, Gareth Evans' film inspired Denis Kryuchko's Russian version but, sadly, the latter falls well short of the former.

I guess that is partly down to me not seeing it on the big screen but I struggle to imagine it having the same impact even if I had.

Russian Raid stars  Ivan Kotik as a former special forces operative who is hired to neutralise the private security force at a distillery.

The motives of the raid's mastermind (Ilya Antonenko) are initially unclear but he is a motormouth who is happy to watch Nikita and a group of aggressive, highly-trained brawlers get on with the job.

Initially, taking over the factory is a breeze but then they run into its board and discover that its owner is the most dangerous man in Russia.

And, coincidentally, Nikita has a deep-seated need for revenge against him.

So, the violence which has been escalating throughout cranks up a notch or two when he comes on to the scene.

Unfortunately, however, Russian Raid only ever feels like a pale imitation of the Indonesian classic.

Without the same levels of ferocity, it just feels like meatheads fighting meatheads - with a girl (Sofya Ozerova) added to the mix for no other reason than she is pretty.

The testosterone nearly squeezes out of the screen.

Reasons to watch: Penty of action

Reasons to avoid: Pencil-thin storyline

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Gareth Evans had a whole storyline mapped out for The Raid 3 but now admits it will never come to fruition.

The final word. General producer Olga Loyanich. "Of course, the film is designed for a wide audience. “Russian Raid” is not only a visual attraction in the best traditions of action cinematography but also a movie that touches on social issues and problems." 

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