For the uninitiated, choosing a language track might seem trivial. Let’s break down the specific differences.
| Feature | The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio | English Dub (US/International) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Lip Sync | Perfect (original performance) | Noticeably off, creating an "old kung fu movie" effect | | Emotional Range | High; actors performed on-set with live sound | Low; voice actors mimic emotion post-production | | Cultural Flavor | Retains Jakarta street slang & honorifics | Standardized American English; loses local context | | Violent Impact | Screams and pain sounds are organic | Often over-produced or "Hollywoodized" | | Subtitles | Accurate translation of meaning | Dialogue often changes drastically to match lip flaps |
One specific scene highlights the difference: The car chase sequence. As Rama battles the baseball bat-wielding assassin, the Indonesian audio captures the heavy breathing, the crunch of glass, and a desperate "Tolong!" (Help). The English dub, trying to be cool, often inserts one-liners like "You should have stayed home." The organic terror of the original is replaced with clichéd bravado.
There is a specific sound prevalent in Indonesian action cinema that has become a meme and a signature: the combat vocalizations.
Indonesian Pencak Silat utilizes sound to coordinate breathing and rhythm. In The Raid 2, the audio is filled with sharp exhales and the iconic sound often romanized as "Ciph!" or "Siip!" during hits.
In the Indonesian audio mix, these sounds are raw and grounded. They aren't just added sound effects; they are the rhythm of the fight. The foley work (the sound effects) in the original mix is punchier and more visceral. You hear the bones crack and the wind being knocked out of characters with a clarity that feels dangerous. The English audio tracks often smooth these over or replace them with generic Hollywood "huh" and "agh" sounds, losing the unique flavor of Silat. The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio
To test if you have the correct audio, skip to the scene where Bejo speaks to his son in the car (approx. 45 minutes in). If Bejo sounds like a New York gangster, stop the playback and find a different source. If you hear Alex Abbad’s natural, silky Indonesian voice, you have the holy grail.
To fully appreciate The Raid 2: Berandal (2014), experiencing it with its original Indonesian audio
is essential. While an English dub exists, it is widely criticized for masking the nuanced performances and atmospheric weight that the native dialogue provides. Audio & Linguistic Significance The film's dialogue is primarily in Indonesian , with significant portions in
to reflect the tension between the local Jakarta syndicates and the Yakuza. Performance Authenticity
: Using the original audio preserves the intensity of lead actor Iko Uwais (Rama) and the chilling delivery of villains like Arifin Putra (Ucok). Translation Precision For the uninitiated, choosing a language track might
: Academic analyses show that while English subtitles use complex strategies like paraphrase , they maintain a high clarity score of
, ensuring the plot's intricacies—far more complex than the first film—remain accessible to international viewers. Sound Design & Impact
: The audio track is not just dialogue; the Foley work and sound design for the martial arts style Pencak Silat
are legendary. The sound of every strike, bone snap, and blade slice was meticulously recorded to create a "visceral" and "kinetic" experience that an English dub often fails to balance correctly. Plot & Scope Overview Picking up just hours after the first film, The Raid 2
transforms from a "siege movie" into a sprawling crime epic. To fully appreciate The Raid 2: Berandal (2014),
Welsh director Gareth Evans returns with Indonesian action sequel
Here is your complete guide to the Indonesian audio options for The Raid 2 (also known as The Raid 2: Berandal).
Since the film is an Indonesian production, the "Indonesian Audio" track is the original native language of the film. However, because the film features characters from different ethnic backgrounds, the audio track is actually a mix of languages.
The Raid 2 (original Indonesian title: The Raid 2: Berandal) is a 2014 Indonesian action crime film written and directed by Gareth Evans. It continues the story from The Raid: Redemption (2011), expanding scope from a single-building siege to a sprawling crime saga across Jakarta’s underworld. The film blends martial arts, gritty crime drama, and operatic action sequences.
