You simply have no idea.
That is really the only way to describe this sequel to the 2011 surprise action film. This is everything the first one was, and everything that is was not all at the same time. Where the first one took place entirely inside of a crime infested high rise building, this story takes us deeper into the world where these characters and their rivals exist. The first featured a SWAT team of soldiers fighting against a crime boss and his minions floor by floor - this one has entire FAMILIES waging war and leaving a trail of bodies and blood throughout an entire city. Iko Uwais returns as Rama as events unfold mere hours after the end of the first film. He is sent in to infiltrate a family who has deep roots in every dark corner of the city. What he finds is a world of shaky allegiances, gang warfare, corruption, mercenaries, and violence. In other words, everything we want in a film like this.
The cast of unique characters is larger this time around - each with their backstory, whether implied or fiercely stated. Bat Boy, Hammer Girl, The Assassin, Goto, Bejo, Bangun - all will be revered as supremely memorable characters for years to come. You want to know more about them, but to do so would slow down the pace at which this film builds its momentum. You get just enough to believe in them as they intertwine into the overall narrative of this Asian Crime drama.
Yayan Ruhian also returns from the first one, this time as a down and out killer-for-hire named Prakoso. He carries a machete and I will leave it at that.
As the story unfolds, the fight scenes become more numerous and more spectacular. These are deadly, bloody affairs with almost every angle of attack explored, sometimes with every weapon known to man. The first fight literally involves an entire prison in a field of mud - inmates, guards, snipers - yeah. There is car chase which involves a 10-15 minute fight scene that takes place inside the car involving 5 people. All this before the final gauntlet as Rama makes his way to the leaders of the crime syndicate.
For fans of the first, you will be thrilled at this film's ambition. It succeeds on every level. A triumph. 5 out of 5 Khans! Now I'm going to listen to the soundtrack again. Yeah, that's good too!
Now some additional posters:
Jock!
And finally...this...NOT. READY.
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