Sundance 2014: 'The Raid 2' hits festival hard; trailer released

1/167

Actress Elisabeth Moss, with the film “The One I Love.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

2/167

Actress Melissa Benoist, from the film “Whiplash.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

3/167

Director Michael Winterbottom, left, and actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, with the film “The Trip to Italy.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

4/167

Actor Steve Coogan, with the film “The Trip to Italy.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

5/167

Actors and co-directors Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, from the film “What We Do in the Shadows.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

6/167

Musician Nick Cave, subject of the film “20,000 Days on Earth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

7/167

Director Sara Colangelo, with the film “Little Accidents.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

8/167

Elizabeth Banks, Jacob Lofland and Boyd Holbrook, with the film “Little Accidents.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

9/167

Actor Boyd Holbrook, with the film “Little Accidents.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

10/167

Actress Elizabeth Banks, with the film “Little Accidents.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

11/167

Actor Jacob Lofland, with the film “Little Accidents.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

12/167

Amy Carlson, from left, Matt Walsh, Meredith Hagner, Jason Ritter (front, arms open) director David Cross (hiding behind), Erinn Hayes, Jake Cherry and James Adomian, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

13/167

Actress Meredith Hagner, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

14/167

Actor Jason Ritter, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

15/167

Actress Erinn Hayes, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

16/167

Actress Amy Carlson, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

17/167

Actor James Adomian, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

18/167

Director Kate Barker-Froyland, actresses Mary Steenburgen and Anne Hathaway and composers Jonathan Price and Jenny Lewis, with the film, “Song One.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

19/167

Actor Matt Walsh, with the film “Hits.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

20/167

Actress Mary Steenburgen, with the film “Song One.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

21/167

Actor and producer Mark Duplass, with the film “The One I Love.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

22/167

Kurt Russell, with the documentary “The Battered Bastards of Baseball,” about his father, Neil Oliver “Bing” Russell. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

23/167

Director Thomas Balmés, of the documentary “Happiness.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

24/167

Actress Brit Marling from the film “I Origins.,” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

25/167

Chaz Ebert, left, and director Steve James with the documentary. “Life Itself,” about the late film critic Roger Ebert. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

26/167

Actress Astrid Berges-Frisbey from the film “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

27/167

Actress Lea Thompson with the film “Ping Pong Summer.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

28/167

Actor Michael Pitt with the film “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

29/167

Actor Bill Hader with the film “Skeleton Twins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

30/167

Mike Cahill, director of the film “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

31/167

Actress Imogene Wolodarksy, left, director Maya Forbes, actress Ashley Aufderheide and actor Mark Ruffalo with the film “Infinitely Polar Bear.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

32/167

Director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari and actress Meron Getnet with the film “Difret.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

33/167

Actress Imogene Wolodarksy from the film “Infinitely Polar Bear.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

34/167

Stephanie Ellis with the film “The Sleepwalker.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

35/167

Pasquale Rotella of the documentary “Under the Electric Sky.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

36/167

Actress Catherine Keener with the film “War Story.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

37/167

Director Desiree Akavan, left, and actress Rebecca Henderson with the film “Appropriate Behavior.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

38/167

Actor Steven Yueng with the film “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

39/167

Actress Astrid Berges-Frisbey from the film “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

40/167

Actors David Henry Gerson, left, and Kris Park with the short film “Chapel Perilous.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

41/167

Halley Feiffer from the film “Appropriate Behavior.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

42/167

Actress Jenny Slate with the film “Obvious Child.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

43/167

John Shook, owner and chef of Los Angeles restaurant “Animal,” who created a pop-up “Animal” in Park City for Sundance. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

44/167

Christopher Abbott with the film “The Sleepwalker.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

45/167

Director Gillian Robespierre, left, and actress Jenny Slate with the film “Obvious Child.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

46/167

Pasquale Rotella of the documentary “Under the Electric Sky.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

47/167

Gitte Witt with the film “The Sleepwalker.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

48/167

Actor Arian Moayed with the film “Appropriate Behavior.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

49/167

Directors Dan Cutforth and Jane Liptsitz of the documentary “Under the Electric Sky.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

50/167

Actor Erick Chavarria with the film “I’m A Mitzvah.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

51/167

Director Mona Fastvold with the film “The Sleepwalker.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

52/167

Aaron Paul, left, director Kat Candler and Josh Wiggins from the movie “Hellion.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

53/167

Aaron Paul from the movie “Hellion.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

54/167

Josh Wiggins from the movie “Hellion.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

55/167

Jason Schwartzman, left, director Alex Ross Perry and Elizabeth Moss from the movie “Listen Up Phillip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

56/167

Jason Schwartzman from the movie “Listen Up Phillip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

57/167

Elizabeth Moss from the movie “Listen Up Phillip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

58/167

Josephine de La Baume from the movie “Listen Up Phillip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

59/167

Director Alex Ross Perry with the movie “Listen Up Phillip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

60/167

Jonathan Pryce from the movie “Listen Up Philip.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

61/167

Director Malik Vitthal, left, John Boyega, Anika Noni Rose and Rotimi Akinosho from the movie “Imperial Dreams.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

62/167

Jeff Preiss, left, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Flea and Amy-Jo Albany from the movie “Low Down.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

63/167

Noah Silver from the movie “Jamie Marks Is Dead.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

64/167

Glenn Close from the movie “Low Down.”

(Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

65/167

Flea from the movie “Low Down.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

66/167

Elle Fanning from the movie “Low Down.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

67/167

Tim Daly from the movie “Low Down.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

68/167

Director Greg Barker, left, Maryam Alkhawaja and John Battsek from the movie “We Are Giant.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

69/167

Noah Silver, left, Madisen Beaty, director Carter Smith and Morgan Saylor from the movie “Jamie Marks is Dead.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

70/167

Morgan Saylor from the movie “Jamie Marks is Dead.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

71/167

Madisen Beaty from the movie “Jamie Marks is Dead.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

72/167

Molly Shannon from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

73/167

Paul Reiser from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

74/167

Matthew Gray Gobler from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

75/167

Cheryl Hines from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

76/167

Dane DeHaan from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

77/167

Aubrey Plaza from the movie “Life After Beth.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

78/167

Chris O’Dowd and Kelly Reilly from the movie “Calvary.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

79/167

Chris O’Dowd from the movie “Calvary.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

80/167

Kelly Reilly from the movie “Calvary.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

81/167

Pierre Boulanger, left, Emily Browning, Hannah Murray and Olly Alexander from the movie “God Help the Girl.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

82/167

Olly Alexander from the movie “God Help the Girl.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

83/167

Emily Browning from the movie “God Help the Girl.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

84/167

Pierre Boulanger from the movie “God Help the Girl.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

85/167

Hannah Murray from the movie “God Help the Girl.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

86/167

Paul Eenhoorn, left, Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens and Earl Lynn Nelson from the movie “Land Ho!” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

87/167

Earl Lynn Nelson from the movie “Land Ho!” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

88/167

Paul Eenhoorn from the movie “Land Ho!” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

89/167

Rory Kennedy from the movie “Last Days in Vietnam.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

90/167

Laurie David, left, Katie Couric and Stephanie Soechtig from the movie “Fed Up.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

91/167

Brad Takei, left, and George Takei from the movie “To Be Takei.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

92/167

Bill Hader, with “The Skeleton Twins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

93/167

Craig Johnson, director of “The Skeleton Twins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

94/167

Cast members and the director of “A Most Wanted Man” include, from left, Philip Seymour Hoffman, director Anton Corbijn, Rachel McAdams and Willem Dafoe. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

95/167

From left, Jeremiah Bitsui, Sydney Freeland, Morningstar Angeline, and Carmen Moore with “Drunktown’s Finest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

96/167

Director Zeresenay Bermane Mehari and Meron Getnet, with the film “Difret.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

97/167

From left: Fred Abahams, Ole Solvang holding baby Ari Anna Neistat-Solvang, Anna Neistat and directors Ross Dauffman and Katy Chevigny with “E-Team.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

98/167

Marcello Conte, with “Ping Pong Summer.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

99/167

Emmi Shockley, with “Ping Pong Summer.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

100/167

Michael Tully, director of “Ping Pong Summer.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

101/167

Andrew Rossi, director of “Ivory Tower.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

102/167

Cast members and the director of “Love is Strange” include, from left, director Ira Sachs, John Lithgow, Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina and Darren Burrows. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

103/167

Mike Cahill, director of “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

104/167

Brit Marling, with “I Origins.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

105/167

Luis Moreno Ocampo, director Edet Belzberg and Amelia Green-Dove, with “Watchers of the Sky.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

106/167

From left, Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Jeff Zarrillo and Paul Katami, with “The Case Against 8.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

107/167

Maika Monroe, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

108/167

Joey King, with the film “Wish I Was Here.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

109/167

Pierce Gagnon, with the film “Wish I Was Here.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

110/167

Josh Gad, with the film “Wish I Was Here.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

111/167

Directors Maxim Pozdorovkin, left, and Tony Gerber, with the documentary “The Notorious Mr. Bout.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

112/167

Cast members of the film “Wish I Was Here”, including, from left, Joey King, Zach Braff, Pierce Gagnon, Kate Hudson and Josh Gad. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

113/167

Zach Braff and Kate Hudson, with the film “Wish I Was Here.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

114/167

Eddy Moretti, chief creative officer of Vice and executive producer of “Fishing Without Nets” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

115/167

Cast members of the film “Cold in July,” including from left, Don Johnson, Wyatt Russell, director Jim Mickle, Vinessa Shaw, Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard and Nick Damici. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

116/167

Chloe Grace Moretz, from the film “Laggies.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

117/167

Kaitlyn Dever, with the film “Laggies.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

118/167

Sam Rockwell, with the film “Laggies.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

119/167

Alex Gibney, director of the documentary “Finding Fela.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

120/167

Lynn Shelton, director of the film “Laggies.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

121/167

From the film “Laggies” are, from left, cast members Sam Rockwell, Kaitlyn Dever amd Chloe Grace Moretz and director Lynn Shelton. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

122/167

Actor Dan Stevens, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

123/167

Chase Williamson, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

124/167

Director Adam Wingard, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

125/167

Actor Lance Reddick, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

126/167

Actress Sheila Kelley, of the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

127/167

Director Lenny Abrahamson and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, from the film “Frank.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

128/167

Writer Simon Barrett, of the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

129/167

Actor Brendan Meyer, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

130/167

From the film “The Guest” are, from left, Lance Reddick, Dan Stevens, Sheila Kelley, director Adam Wingard, Maika Monroe, Chase Williamson, Brendan Meyer and writer Simon Barrett. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

131/167

Actress Maika Monroe, with the film “The Guest.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

132/167

From the film “Frank” are, from left, actor Scoot McNairy, director Lenny Abrahamson and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

133/167

Director Cutter Hodierne, center, with actors Abdikani Muktar, left, in white and Abubakr Mire, of the film “Fishing Without Nets.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

134/167

Actress Ashley Greene, with the film “Wish I Was Here.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

135/167

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, with the film “Frank.”

(Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

136/167

Actor Scoot McNairy with the film “Frank.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

137/167

Actor Abdikani Muktar, from the film “Fishing Without Nets.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

138/167

Vinessa Shaw of “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

139/167

Sam Shepard and Vinessa Shaw appear in the thriller “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

140/167

Don Johnson, part of the “Cold in July” cast. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

141/167

Nick Damici, an actor in the thriller “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

142/167

Greg Whiteley, director of “Mitt,” documenting Mitt Romney’s run for the presidency. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

143/167

Michael C. Hall, a lead actor in “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

144/167

Wyatt Russell, an actor in “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

145/167

Jim Mickle, director of “Cold in July.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

146/167

Cast of the movie “Camp X-Ray,” from left, Peter Sattler, Payman Maadi, Kristen Stewart and Lane Garrison. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

147/167

Kristen Stewart from “Camp X-Ray.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

148/167

Actor Payman Maadi from the movie “Camp X-Ray.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

149/167

Actor Lane Garrison from the movie “Camp X-Ray.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

150/167

Actor Peter Sattler from the movie “Camp X-Ray.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

151/167

Tom Bernard, left, and Michael Barker, co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

152/167

Director Rose McGowan, with the film “Dawn.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

153/167

Actors Richard Ayoade, left, and Jesse Eisenberg, from the film “The Double.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

154/167

Actor Jesse Eisenberg, from the film “The Double.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

155/167

Actor Richard Ayoade, from the film “The Double.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

156/167

Actors Miles Teller, left, and Damien Chazelle, from the film “Whiplash.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

157/167

Actor Austin Stowell, from the film “Whiplash.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

158/167

Cast of the film “Blue Ruin,” including Devin Ratray, left, Amy Hargreaves, Macon Blair and Eve Plumb. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

159/167

Actor Devin Ratray, from the film “Blue Ruin.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

160/167

Actress Amy Hargreaves, from the film “Blue Ruin.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

161/167

Actor Macon Blair, from the film “Blue Ruin.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

162/167

Director Hong Khao, left, and actress Pei Pei Cheng, from the movie “Lilting.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

163/167

Actress Eve Plumb, from the film “Blue Ruin.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

164/167

Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier, from the film “Blue Ruin.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

165/167

The cast of “Whiplash,” including Miles Teller, left, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell and Damien Chazelle. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

166/167

Actress Kate Flannery, from the film “Cooties.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

167/167

Director Todd Miller, left, and sales agent Josh Braun, with the film “Dinosaur 13.” (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

By Mark Olsen

Jan. 22, 2014 6:18 PM PT

PARK CITY, Utah -- Many who came to Sundance for the jam-packed first weekend had already departed Park City by Tuesday night, which left a difficult decision for those who remained: the world premiere of “The Raid 2” or a secret screening, which turned out to be the much anticipated “Nymphomaniac, Vol. 1.”

Plenty of folks got an eyeful at “Nymphomaniac,” but those who chose “The Raid 2” got even more, as the Indonesian action-thriller crime story sequel featured wild fighting and graphic violence, with more kicking, punching, gouging, body-ripping, shotgun-blasting, car-crashing excitement than the already-amped audience expected.

“You guys get to see it before the MPAA have a heart attack,” said writer, director, editor and action choreographer Gareth Evans before the screening.

PHOTOS: Sundance Film Festival 2014 | Photo booth

His earlier film was released in the U.S. as “The Raid: Redemption,” so Welsh-born, Indonesia-based filmmaker joked that even though the title card on this new film as screened would read “The Raid 2: Berendal,” the American title would be “The Raid 2: More Redemption.” (For the record, the official U.S. title is just “The Raid 2.”)

Partway through the film, a staggering 148 minutes that feels like a fraction of that, a commotion began in the auditorium at the Eccles Center. A man had a medical emergency and the house lights came up, the film was stopped and he was escorted from the theater by staff and volunteers, walking on his own. The film restarted. (Altitude sickness, not the intensity of the film, was thought to have triggered the episode.)

The film features an astonishing number of action sequences -- a prison fight, a nightclub fight, a car chase, a subway fight, scenes in all manner of hallways, restaurants and alleyways, with all sorts of weaponry, punches and kicks. None of it sacrifices story.

LIST OF SUNDANCE SELECTIONS: U.S. and World Cinema dramatic competition

Undercover police officer Rama (Iko Uwais) finds himself in the middle of a power struggle in the criminal underworld. Evans also creates an array of memorable characters, who audiences will soon be calling “hammer girl” or “machete man” with perhaps even the Halloween costumes to follow.

“The Raid 2” is a sprawling crime saga in action overdrive. During a post-screening Q&A with nine members of the cast and crew onstage, Evans revealed that a prison fight took eight days to shoot and a car chase about two weeks -- all part of 132 shooting days, up from a scheduled 106.

A question from the audience asked Evans whether he could teach classes to American action directors, to which he responded by mentioning his love of Sam Peckinpah and John Woo, adding, “I steal from everybody. Just tell them to steal from better filmmakers.”

PHOTOS: Sundance Film Festival 2014 | The Scene

Other questions: Can Uwais really punch as fast as he does in the film, and would he put on a demonstration to prove it? After a few moments, Uwais removed his jackets, the others onstage made way and Uwais briefly transformed himself into a whirling dervish of swinging arms and legs. Yes, he really is that fast.

The screening caused an explosion of excitement and enthusiasm for the film on social media. It will be released March 28, and distributor Sony Pictures Classics wisely released a new trailer to keep fans excited after the buzz-building premiere Tuesday.

Also:

Sundance 2014: Comedy ‘Land Ho!’ lands deal at Sundance

Sundance 2014: The dilemmas of having it all in ‘Happy Christmas’

Sundance 2014: ‘Mad Men’s’ Elisabeth Moss sees double in Sundance

Follow Mark Olsen on Twitter: @IndieFocus