Fans of The Raid: These Are Iko Uwais’ Other Best Martial Arts Films

Fans of The Raid: These Are Iko Uwais' Other Best Martial Arts Films

I’ve been absolutely captivated by the electrifying journey of Iko Uwais, a man who has transformed the martial arts film genre with his raw talent and unparalleled skill. From humble beginnings as a stuntman in Indonesia to gracing the screens of some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, Uwais’ journey is nothing short of extraordinary.


In a nutshell, action films transform their protagonists into legendary figures more effectively than any other cinematic genre. Back in the day, many action movies shared similar narratives, just with different main actors. The martial arts movie sector follows this pattern as well, mainly because there are very few individuals worldwide who can pull off what Jackie Chan did. This uniqueness makes fans feel a sense of acquaintance with most of the major players. Currently, Iko Uwais is one of the biggest names in the genre, yet his fame is largely tied to the film that catapulted him to stardom.

Action cinema tends to follow trends or cycles, with a popular blockbuster often setting the tone for the genre. When a movie like John Wick, which came out a decade ago, finds the perfect blend of influences and execution to make a big impact, other movies in the same genre take notice. In fact, the influence of the John Wick franchise is visible in many subsequent big-name action films through its use of neon blues, reds, and pinks. Before Keanu Reeves donned his bulletproof suit and reclaimed his hidden guns, another film called The Raid was captivating the action community.

Who is Iko Uwais?

Iko Uwais, born as Uwais Qorny, unexpectedly entered the acting realm. His grandfather, H. Achmad Bunawar, was a revered master and instructor of an Indonesian martial art known as silat. While filming a documentary on silat in Indonesia, director Gareth Evans stumbled upon Uwais’ training center. Impressed by his effortless charm and perfect screen presence, Evans offered him a chance to achieve success in feature films. The partnership between Uwais and Evans proved influential, with their collaboration beginning in the movie “Merantau“, which also marked Yayan Ruhian’s debut. Together, they would create one of the defining action films of the 2010s.

As a die-hard action movie fan, I’d say there’s no denying the profound mark that “The Raid: Redemption” left on the genre. It was like the 90s shift after “The Matrix,” a game-changer that redefined what an action film could be. Beyond its lasting influence, “The Raid” is, in many aspects, a flawless example of the genre. It’s an unyielding journey through some of the most impactful physical combat ever captured on screen. The characters may be simple, but they’re incredibly relatable. The performances are spot-on, fitting their roles perfectly within the storyline. In many ways, the action sequences feel like intense emotional battles between equals, something not often seen in action cinema. While “The Raid” spawned a sequel, it somehow lost some of the raw intensity of the original. However, Ivy Wahyu (I’m assuming Uwais is his stage name) may never create another film as impactful as “The Raid,” but he has several other top-notch films under his belt.

Headshot

Fans of The Raid: These Are Iko Uwais' Other Best Martial Arts Films
DirectorsThe Mo Brothers
WriterTimo Tjahjanto
StarsIko Uwais, Chelsea Islan, Sunny Pang, and Julie Estelle
Runtime118 Minutes
Release DateSeptember 9, 2016

The duo known as Mo Brothers consists of Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel, two Indonesian filmmakers who became acquainted while studying abroad in Australia. Together they have produced a series of entertaining films. Their last feature under their playful moniker was “Headshot”, but it wasn’t the end of their collaborative ventures. In recent years, Stamboel has predominantly focused on horror films, showcasing his unique creativity. Tjahjanto, however, stands out as a potential rising star in martial arts movie directing.

Triple Threat

Fans of The Raid: These Are Iko Uwais' Other Best Martial Arts Films
DirectorJesse V. Johnson
WritersJoey O’Bryan, Paul Staheli, and Dwayne Smith
StarsTony Jaa, Tiger Chen, and Iko Uwais
Runtime96 Minutes
Release DateMarch 19, 2019

In the world of martial arts movies, many serve to highlight the abilities of a single martial artist. However, as the title “Triple Threat” implies, this film is all about displaying the talents of three: Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa, and Tiger Chen, who are like giants in the film. The plot primarily revolves around bringing these three together, making it less than stellar compared to their other works. The storyline involves Chen and Jaa as soldiers drawn into a deceptive mission, which lands them in dangerous situations and leads them unwittingly to free terrorists. Tragically, this results in the death of an entire Indonesian village, inspiring Iko Uwais to seek vengeance. Throughout the movie, the trio occasionally compete with each other, allowing them to portray both heroes and villains. In essence, “Triple Threat” is a solid representation of the genre’s over-the-top excitement.

The Night Comes For Us

Fans of The Raid: These Are Iko Uwais' Other Best Martial Arts Films
DirectorTimo Tjahjanto
WriterTimo Tjahjanto
StarsJoe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle, Sunny Pang, and Zack Lee
Runtime121 Minutes
Release DateSeptember 22, 2018

For Us, the Night Falls could be rephrased as follows: This movie, titled For Us, the Night Falls, is arguably Iko Uwais’ finest work since The Raid. It’s an awe-inspiring spectacle of violence that carries a rich narrative, bearing some resemblance to The Raid 2. Unlike previous roles, Uwais doesn’t play the lead character in this film. Instead, he passes on the role to Joe Taslim, who portrays a former gang enforcer seeking redemption and a new life free from crime. The movie boasts many of the same cast and crew as Headshot, including writer/director Timo Tjahjanto. Uwais assumes the role of the lead antagonist, a fellow former gang member with similar desires for vengeance against Taslim. Their personal conflicts become enmeshed in an epic battle between vibrant assassins and captivating action sequences. This film is a modern martial arts genre masterpiece that every dedicated fan should watch without fail.

Iko Uwais has made a significant impact across various film productions, both major Hollywood films and independent projects over the past few decades. His impressive work can be traced in many top martial arts movies within the industry. While he initially gained recognition through “The Raid,” Iko Uwais remains active and vigorous in his career.

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2024-11-15 01:34