A less propulsive, refined film than the later classic The Raid, this is still an excellent action film that lives outside of the shadow of that film through its sheer scrappy personality.
The budget is lower but the energy is here, and Evans crafts some memorably imagery that evolve into the fight sequences effortlessly, plus it is all supported by an excellent Indonesia meets Nine Inch Nails score that I love. The western actors certainly threaten to let it down a bit, but it's sort of endearing in that classic local-western actor overacting in an Asian action film trope.
Its arguably less nihilistic than the series Evans would make next, offering more of a traditional hero story that the boyish Uwais personifies with ease. It's a simple, easy, and yet very impressive 're-debut' for Evans, after the weak Footsteps/Vengeance Day.