The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio __exclusive__ -
The 2014 martial arts epic The Raid 2 (Indonesian: The Raid 2: Berandal) is widely considered a masterpiece of modern action cinema, particularly for its visceral Indonesian audio and sound design. While many Western viewers were introduced to the film via dubbed versions, the original Indonesian audio track is essential for experiencing the film's intended raw intensity. The Sonic Landscape of The Raid 2
The film's audio is not just a secondary feature; it is a critical component of the storytelling that distinguishes the Indonesian original from its international adaptations.
Impact and Authenticity: The original audio highlights the brutal, bone-crunching sound design that defines "The Raid style". Unlike many Western action films that use exaggerated, "thwacking" sound effects, The Raid 2 utilizes post-production techniques to create a more grounded and punishing sonic impact, making every strike of Pencak Silat (the traditional Indonesian martial art) feel immediate and dangerous.
Cultural Texture: Watching with the original Indonesian dialogue preserves the cadence and "feeling" (raso) of the characters, which is central to the film's identity as a product of Indonesian culture. This is particularly evident in the performances of stars like Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, whose physical intensity is matched by their vocal delivery.
Atmospheric Tension: The soundscapes in scenes like the muddy prison riot or the climactic kitchen fight are designed to be "you-are-there" experiences. The original audio track better captures the environmental nuances—the sliding of feet on tile, the metallic ring of a karambit knife, and the ambient noise of a rain-slicked Jakarta. Why the Original Track Matters
Critics and fans often emphasize that the "violence is art" in this film, and the audio is the brushstroke.
Translation Loss: Subtitled versions of the original audio maintain high comprehension (scoring over 91% in clarity studies), whereas dubbing can sometimes strip away the gritty, noir-inspired atmosphere of the crime drama.
Technical Superiority: Many purists seek out uncut versions specifically for the original audio to avoid the "improved" music or sound alterations often found in international fan edits or specific region releases.
Experience the visceral intensity of the film's choreography and sound design in this breakdown of Indonesian action cinema: The Raid & The Raid 2: Indonesian Action Cinema. Terry Talks Movies YouTube• Nov 4, 2020
For those looking to delve deeper into the technical aspects of the film, you might explore the sound design techniques used in post-production or the differences between the original Indonesian cut and the international 'Redemption' releases.
Watching The Raid 2 with its original Indonesian audio is the only way to experience this masterpiece of martial arts cinema. While the English dub exists, it often strips away the raw, percussive intensity of the dialogue that Gareth Evans intended. The Sonic Impact
The Indonesian language, particularly in the context of a gritty underworld thriller, has a rhythmic cadence that matches the "Berandal" (Thug) energy of the film. The original audio track preserves the authentic performances of Iko Uwais and the rest of the cast, ensuring their vocal strain and emotional weight aren't lost in translation. Why the Original Audio Wins: The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio
Atmospheric Realism: The ambient sounds of Jakarta—the claustrophobic prison scenes and rain-slicked streets—feel more integrated with the original dialogue.
Combat Intensity: The grunts, impacts, and mid-fight shouts feel organic. In the dub, these often sound like detached sound effects; here, they are part of the choreography.
Cultural Context: Certain idioms and the sheer menace in Bejo's quiet threats carry a weight that English voice actors struggle to replicate. Technical Quality
The 5.1 or 7.1 surround tracks found on Blu-ray releases are incredibly balanced. The Indonesian track is crisp, ensuring the "bone-crunching" foley work doesn't drown out the narrative beats. According to reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes, the sequel delivers "more of everything," and that includes a deeper, more operatic soundscape than the first film.
Verdict: 10/10. Turn on the subtitles and keep the Indonesian audio. It’s the difference between watching a movie and feeling a punch.
Why Purists Demand the Original Sound Mix
Beyond the acting, The Raid 2 Indonesian audio offers a superior sound mix engineered by the film’s original team. The film uses a unique sound design where dialogue is intentionally mixed slightly lower than the bone-crunching foley effects. In the Indonesian track, the dialogue sits naturally within the 5.1 or Atmos soundscape.
When you switch to a dubbed track, audio engineers must "duck" (lower) the original music and effects to fit the new voices. This results in a flatter, less dynamic range. The iconic electronic score by Joseph Trapanese and Fajar Yuskemal loses its punch. The famous "Razor & Hammer" fight scene sounds anemic on the English dub because the terrifying swish of Julie Estelle’s hammers is partially masked by poorly placed voice lines.
Title: Beyond the Subtitles: Why You Must Watch 'The Raid 2' in Indonesian Audio
Sub-headline: It’s not just about reading the story; it’s about hearing the soul of the action.
Streaming Services (Proceed with Caution)
Streaming is where the "dubbing trap" often lies. Many platforms default to English dubs to increase accessibility. You must manually change the settings:
- Netflix: In territories where The Raid 2 is available, it usually offers both. Go to "Audio & Subtitles" and select Bahasa Indonesia [Original].
- HBO Max / Max: Historically, the default has been English dub. You must switch the audio track to Indonesian.
- Amazon Prime Video (Rental/Purchase): Check the "Audio" details before buying. Some versions list "English, Spanish" and omit Indonesian. Avoid those. Look for the "Original Version."
5. A Note on the Dub (Why to Avoid It)
To be fair, the English dub for The Raid 2 is better than most. However, it suffers from the "animation effect." Because the actors' lips move differently to form Indonesian words, the English script often has to add extra words or shorten sentences to match the lip flap.
This results in performances that feel rushed. In the original Indonesian audio, the silences are just as important as the dialogue. The pauses, the heavy breathing, and the glares are timed perfectly to the natural cadence of the actors. The 2014 martial arts epic The Raid 2
The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio: Why the Original Language Track is Essential for the Ultimate Viewing Experience
When Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption exploded onto the international film scene in 2011, it redefined action cinema. But it was its 2014 sequel, The Raid 2 (Berandal), that proved the franchise was more than just a genre fluke—it was a masterpiece of choreography, cinematography, and visceral storytelling. For fans seeking the purest, most intense version of this film, one search term has become increasingly vital: The Raid 2 Indonesian audio.
In an era where dubbing is common for foreign films, many viewers are discovering that watching The Raid 2 in its original Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia) with subtitles is not just a preference—it is a necessity. This article explores why the Indonesian audio track changes the entire texture of the film, how it compares to the English dub, and where you can find the authentic audio version.
Conclusion: The Director’s Vision
Gareth Evans, a Welsh director, fell in love with Indonesian cinema. He cast Indonesian actors and wrote the film to be performed in Bahasa Indonesia for a reason. The language is rhythmic, direct, and emotionally resonant.
If you are watching The Raid 2 for the first time, or re-watching it for the tenth, do yourself a favor: Switch the audio to Indonesian. Turn on the subtitles. And listen to the way a story is told when the words come straight from the fighters themselves.
Summary Checklist
To ensure you are watching the authentic version:
- Check the Lips: If the lips sync perfectly, you are likely watching the Indonesian audio. If the lips are slightly off, you are likely watching the English Dub.
- Audio Menu: Ensure the track is set to Indonesian (Original).
- Subtitles: Set to "English" unless you are fluent in Indonesian and Javanese (in which case, set subtitles to 'Off' or 'Japanese Only' if available).
Why the Original Indonesian Audio is Essential for The Raid 2
If you’re sitting down to watch Gareth Evans’ action masterpiece The Raid 2 (Berandal)
, you might be tempted by the convenience of the English dub. Don't do it. To truly experience the film’s visceral intensity, you must watch it with the original Indonesian audio and subtitles.
Here is why the original soundscape is the only way to watch this modern classic. 1. Authenticity and Emotional Impact
The English dub is notorious for being "absolutely awful," with voices that often don't fit the characters' physical presence. In the original version, you hear the authentic performances of actors like Iko Uwais and Arifin Putra.
The Weight of the Language: The Indonesian dialogue carries a specific cadence and grit that matches the film's brutal Jakarta setting. Streaming Services (Proceed with Caution) Streaming is where
Character Sync: Dubbed versions often suffer from "glaringly obvious" desynchronization between lip movements and voiceovers, which can be a major distraction during the film's high-tension scenes. 2. The Sound of Silat
The Raid 2 isn't just about dialogue; it’s a showcase for Pencak Silat, the traditional Indonesian martial art.
The story of The Raid 2 (Indonesian: The Raid 2: Berandal) begins just hours after the blood-soaked apartment raid of the first film. Rama, a rookie Jakarta cop, is immediately thrown back into danger when he learns that his brother, Andi, has been assassinated by a rising gangster named Bejo. To protect his family and dismantle the corruption within the police force, Rama is recruited by Bunawar, the head of an internal investigation unit, for a deep-cover mission.
Under the alias "Yuda," Rama enters a high-security prison to win the trust of Uco, the ambitious and volatile son of mob kingpin Bangun. After saving Uco's life during a massive, mud-soaked prison riot, Rama is recruited into Bangun’s organization upon his release.
Over several years, Rama climbs the hierarchy of the criminal underworld as a war brews between Jakarta's established crime families and the Japanese Yakuza. The delicate peace is shattered by Bejo, who manipulates Uco into turning against his own father. As the violence escalates, Rama faces off against legendary assassins, including:
Hammer Girl: A ruthless killer who uses dual claw hammers to tear through enemies on a moving train.
Baseball Bat Man: Her brother, who wields a aluminum bat with lethal precision.
The Assassin: A silent, terrifying combatant armed with kerambits who serves as Bejo's ultimate enforcer.
The film culminates in a brutal "kitchen showdown" between Rama and The Assassin, followed by a final confrontation where Uco discovers Bejo's true treachery. After eliminating the top players of the syndicate and the corrupt police commissioner, a wounded Rama encounters the Japanese Yakuza leaders. When asked if he has more to say, he simply replies, "I'm done," and walks away as the sirens of the arriving police approach.
Part 5: The Cultural Impact – Why Preserving the Language Matters
By searching for The Raid 2 Indonesian audio, you are participating in a global movement to respect non-English cinema. Too often, great foreign films are buried under lazy dubs. This film put Indonesian action cinema on the map.
The late Yayan Ruhian, who plays Prakoso, once said in an interview: "When you hear me speak my language, you hear my grandmother. You hear my land. English is just noise." The original audio preserves the specific Indonesian slang, the Javanese inflections, and the rough street dialect of Jakarta's criminal world.
Furthermore, the sequel introduced international audiences to actors like Cecep Arif Rahman (who plays the assassin in the white suit). His Indonesian is poetic and measured. In the English dub, he sounds like every other generic villain. Why rob yourself of that texture?