It’s true that the American version has better visuals because…duh, it was produced four years after Infernal Affairs but the original remains the best. Anyhow, I am not here to compare both versions; let’s talk about this movie.
Infernal Affairs is about the underground world, the triads and the moles. This is probably the best undercover story ever written; the developments created a race against time to reveal the moles within the gang and the police. This is a fast paced rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The suspense element was flawless but the mystery built up was somehow lacking that’s why the storyline didn’t manage to get the perfect score.
Like any other action movie, this one contains violence and brutal killing sometimes but I wouldn’t categorize it as a violent movie. This is basically a thriller-crime mixed up with well-made suspense with the undercover theme as its center.
The acting was quite remarkable, with Tony Leung and Andy Lau as main leads you’re bound to expect something with quality and they surely didn’t disappoint. They were both great in portraying their role and delivering feelings; nothing less from two of the best actors in HKC productions. Other actors like Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang were also quite good and pretty convincing.
This movie’s characterization was the major strength point beside the clever writing of course. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say that all characters will be able to to get your full intention whether they were the good guys or the villains. The writers succeeded in creating top-notch characters’ development that will make you relate with each and every one of them.
The music was fitting for a suspense thriller movie; I also liked the “Shi Shey” song that was played in the background, it was really calming.
Watch this if:
-You’re looking for good suspense thriller with unexpected twists and turns.
- You’re fond of undercover themed stories.
- You’re in the mood for good screenwriting and compelling storyline.
- You like Andy Lau, Tony Leung or both them. This shouldn’t be missed for both of their fans.
Do not expect:
-Happy ever after ending.
- Romance.
All in all, this movie is wonderfully made since it can draw you into the world of darkness and make you strongly attached to its characters and events. If you like the genres, I can guarantee that this movie will manage to move you one way or another.
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Leung and Lau are great contrasts to each other but at the same time, also compliments each other. With Lau's charismatic face, he delivers his character with such decency all the while keeping a dark secret. Leung on the other hand, has always been a playful character (he has played a policeman in Chungking Express too!) and his presence on screen is just really nice to watch.
Some say that Martin Scorsese's The Departed is a more "soulless" adaptation of Infernal Affairs but I can't say since I haven't seen the former. But the fact that it is a remake of the latter is enough of a statement to say it's good. I just hope those who watched the former know that it's based of on the latter (I mean with a cast like Dicarpio and Damon, it's difficult not to forget).
Infernal Affairs is intense, gritting and an exciting film to watch. The fact that you have a mole in the mafia and the mole in the police and it's a race against time to figure out the two is already enough to make something worth watching. Living in Hong Kong (and sometimes even taking it for granted), the cinematography of the city here is amazing. There is as much vibrancy as there is much darkness that embodies the two main characters as well.
The action isn't your-head-over-heels action compared to Western films but there's still that edge-of-your-seat feeling. So much dramatic tension and suspense especially on which mole will be figured out first.
Absolutely love that build-up before Eric Tsang (whom I know more as a comedian to be honest so his role here is a refresher for me too and he delivered it well) smashed Tony Leung's cast on the table -- I was surprised. It was too good of a scene. Add that up with music that gives you such adrenaline, you won't be able to take your eye off the screen. And that build-up up the way to the finale -- just brilliantly done. So many scenes that just gives you mini heart attacks.
I couldn't ask for a better ending as well.
I always saw Hong Kong crime thrillers as cheap and ambitious but that's a blind opinion since I haven't seen one before (except for some Jackie Chan classics which I'm not even sure counts as crime thriller) and then came Infernal Affairs. I take it back, Hong Kong crime thrillers are great.
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Simply put...
I watched the american remake of this, called 'The Departed', first, and I loved it (I paid to watch it in theater SEVERAL times:) I knew I am late to finally find the time to watch the original but I am glad I was able to do it. I loved it, too. It's brilliant. I love both movies, the remake has the strengths and weaknesses of a hollywood movie (love them or hate them:) the original has the strengths and weaknesses of asian movie (love them or hate them:) Both are the BEST among their kind.As I am no stranger to hong-kong production I knew what to expect and I have zero complains. I admired and enjoyed this a lot. The cast was spot on, both Anthony Wong & Eric Tsang were perfect fit for the type of the role. As for the main two, Andy Lau is the typical attractive asian actor but Tony Leung really is no DiCaprio:-) But then he smiles and you find that he has the cutest smile in the world. The characters were similar enough, I felt Andy Lau's maybe differed a little and it was hinted by the ending, but you be the judge... I appreciated the scarce and poignant use of female characters (in both versions).
I felt Scorsese made his version with great respect to this movie. It's a beautiful movie. I know, some would point out it's "depressing", because of the deaths, terror... But look at it this way. You can just as well watch a movie 'Sex and the City 2' where it's all sunny beach and everyone is wealthy and happy. And then you might see some terror, LOL. Yes, a beautiful movie isn't about whether the characters ended up well.
Simply put, it is a movie you feel privileged you had the chance to see it.
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What I like the most about this movie is that it did not portray the work of an undercover agent as cool as other movies and dramas do. This movie showed the life of agents quite realistically, and how dangerous their line of work is. One little mistake can end their life. And I liked how it also tells about their mental state. The characters' played by the agents affect them psychologically. For that, they also have to check their status with psychiatrists. I'm glad that this movie also included it.
I liked the acting, especially Tony Leung's. He has his charms. The cinematography was good.
The movie kept me on edge till the end. I really liked it.
And about the ending, I hated it with a burning passion.
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This review may contain spoilers
Well-made, realistic Hong Kong thriller.
In the role of Yan, we see Tony Leung, better known as the world's best actor after films like Bullet In The Head, In The Mood For Love and Hero. Leung plays a police officer who has been undercover for 9 years and wants out at any cost. He has trouble sleeping and can only sleep with his therapist. In the role of Ming we see Andy Lau, also a superstar in Hong Kong but in lighter productions. In Infernal Affairs he is fantastic as the cop who is torn between his obligations to the Triad and his ambition to become a real cop. Just like Yan, his life is one big lie.Two men. Both undercover. One with the triad, one with the police. In flashbacks from the cadet school, Shawn Yue plays young Yan and Edison Chen plays young Ming. Both have significantly larger roles in the prequel that was quickly produced. Police chief Wong (Anthony Wong) and mob boss Sam (Eric Tsang) are the only ones who know each other's identities. Even though the plot sounds quite simple, the film never ceases to surprise.
What keeps Infernal Affairs from a higher rating is a certain inconsistency in the storytelling. Sometimes it is fate that guides the story forward, sometimes chance, sometimes the characters. And Ming's girlfriend writing a book about a schizophrenic person feels a bit clever.
Many believe that with Infernal Affairs Hong Kong cinema has grown up. Infernal Affairs is NOT over-the-top. The actors do NOT overplay. No car chases, no special effects and just a little slow-motion. The film is strikingly low-key and subtle. Just take the scene when Yan meets an old girlfriend in town and she lies about her daughter's age. Look at her eyes, hear her answer a little too quickly. The scene becomes an effective contrast to Ming's happy family life, he has the life that Yan should have. But to claim that Infernal Affairs would be some kind of trend breaker just shows ignorance. This is exactly the kind of well-made, realistic crime films Ringo Lam has been directing since City On Fire in 1987. But of course, this is the Hong Kong film for those of you who don't like Hong Kong films. You who preferred Heat and De Niro/Pacino to Face/Off and Travolta/Cage.
FYI: Martin Scorsese directed an American remake.
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This review may contain spoilers
Good movie, I didn't like the ending
This movie is pretty good, it's easy to get invested in and grips you from the start it really throws you right into it though it can be kind of hard to follow at times. Or at least, for me it could beThe entire first half is really good, but the ending left much to be desired for me and I'm not particularly fond of bleak and black pilled endings that are just heavily depressing, which is unfortunately a lot of Hong Kong movies that are in this vein tend to do
It kills a lot of the enjoyment I had for the movie, and the final 5 minutes are a very rushed epilogue kind of deal that feels very cheap when it brings back a one note character that was only prominent for like 4 minutes of the entire film, it doesn't feel earned at all and felt like a really lame way to tug at your heartstrings after a very bleak end
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