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Infernal Affairs [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

With Infernal Affairs, Hong Kong filmmakers Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak have successfully taken a smart script and a great cast, added some stylistic cinematography, and dual-fistedly given a new twist to a formulaic genre. Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau), a young, loyal gangster, is ordered by his Triad boss Sam (Eric Tsang) to join the police force. While on the inside the young mole can keep a close eye on police activity, ensuring the gang's activities will not be interrupted. Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) has a similar plan. He takes a bright, ambitious police cadet Yan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and makes him an undercover cop with plans to get him inside the Triads. Years pass and both are now deep into their assigned roles. Undercover cop Yan, more or less living the life of a gangster, is now a member of Boss Sam's group, and "Officer" Lau has all the appearance of a good cop trying to bust up the Triads' drug ring. During a bust that could finally bring down Boss Sam, the moles inadvertently become aware of each other's existence, and each is left wondering who is on the inside. What follows is a unique and exciting twist on the classic cat and mouse chase in which each man is not fighting for his life, but for his anonymity. In addition to its plot twists, what lifts Infernal Affairs above the standard cop story is its subtle exploration of the relative nature of good and evil. Part action, part psychological examination, Infernal Affairs is a sharp and fresh take on the classic crime story, and the inspiration for a 2006 Martin Scorsese remake (The Departed). Not to be missed. --Rob Bracco


Truly Amazing
Review date: 2007-12-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is Hong kong's Godfather and any other screen masterpiece you can think of. Rivetting from start to finish I suggest you watch this film with those that love true cinema pieces as this is a very plot and dialogue driven movie. But dont get me wrong, it is packed with more than enough explosions and gun battles. The acting is superb the plot is genius, what more can i say except buy this film.

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Reviews


"You've never been a mole, you won't understand."
Review date: 2007-06-29 Rating: 8 out of 10

"Infernal Affairs" is one fascinating movie with a great premise. This has been a reasonably popular movie that had generated huge buzz when it came out, and since been talked, compared and still highly regarded as unsurpassed by countless fans worldwide.

The plot to this movie is simple and strong but at the same time it's not an untouchable work of genius, it has holes like any narrative but is a fantastic example of what the East can produce with a mode come of self restraint. No special effects, no slow-mo gun play, in fact most of the violence is played out of scene, but still within earshot these people live in the information era, they have life's and lies, deception is the game. This solid drama is played out by an all star cast. Anthony Wong is understated and cool, (at times you still want to see him explode as in Beast cops or bun man,) Tony Leung is his usual mean and moody self and but it is Andy Lau's performance that really shines. A powerhouse performance underneath such a cool exterior, you'll be lucky to see him flinch, yet he portrays such intensity, constantly he plays his cards close to his chest, caught up and confused losing himself in the facade he has created.

I did notice, though, the way the female characters were used as symbols to represent the good and truthful side of life. It struck me, in connection with this, that sex and violence were being treated as opposites, whereas in many US films they are treated almost as two aspects of the same thing and as depending on one another, hardly existing independently. The conclusion of this film may come as a sort of twist to viewers. And that is what makes the film a higher rating it deserves. If you are adventurous enough to try even one Hong Kong movie, try moving forward with this one.


Bad Cover, Good Film that lead to a good remake
Review date: 2007-04-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

It is very, very bad taste for whoever designed the cover picture of the American version of this DVD. The original picture of the movie just shows the faces of the 2 main characters. Why do they think it is necessary to put a Bond-girl-like figure on the cover while that girl is not even in the movie? What for? To make it look more "Asian", and more "Chinatown"? Just absolutely terrible and disturbing. It is ruining this otherwise wonderful movie. The suspense is brilliant. Both Tony Leung and Andy Lau are just perfect for their roles. The twists and turn are unexpected. The whole time I was on the edge of my seat. The best part about this movie is that it leaves you breathless. Two minutes into the movie you will feel you are into their world. I also liked how it shows rather realistic side of high-tech and highly professional police operations in Hong Kong.
Comparisons to the Scorsese's "The Departed" are inevitable and Leonardo DeCaprio and Matt Damon do measure up to Tony Leung and Andy Lau; their Oscar nominations are proof to that fact.

good, just not great
Review date: 2007-03-03 Rating: 6 out of 10

Just as Quentin Tarantino lifted much of the plot for Reservoir Dogs from Ringo Lams City On Fire, so Martin Scorsese has lifted much of the plot of his latest gangster epic The Departed from this movie. The plot is simplicity itself; a rookie cop and a Triad bosses young protégé are sent to work in each others organizations, and as their duplicity is gradually uncovered, each must root out the other before they themselves are exposed. Around this slender plot, Directors Andy Lau and Alan Mak have hung a tale of friendship, murder, love, betrayal, loss of identity, trust and even insomnia. Avoiding some of the pitfalls of western crime dramas, there is no over the top gunplay or buddy cop stuff going on here, just a tightly scripted, well crafted movie.
As Inspector Lau Kin Ming, Andy Lau is by far the best thing in the movie, coming down on just the right side of smooth confidence and nervous tension as the treacherous cop who is secretly working for the other side. From the get go, his confidence and calm persona disguise his growing unease, both over the fact he could be discovered and exposed at any time, and due to the fact that he is beginning to question what he is doing and who's side he actually wants to be on. As his polar opposite undercover cop Chang Wing Yan, Tony Leung gives a convincingly disturbed performance as a man who has subdued his very identity in order to do his job, and is now beginning to come apart at the seams.
The film looks amazing, with some of the scenes resembling the work of Michael Mann (now if that's not a complement, I don't know what is), and is a slow burning thriller, relying on a couple of set pieces to crank up the tension and avoiding anything that could be described as action, but looses nothing because of this. However, where it does fall down is the lack of exposition with regards to some of the lesser characters (in particular Yans psychiatrist and a woman who we assume is an ex girlfriend, but this is never adequately explained) and a slightly underwhelming ending. All in all, a very good film that could have been great. Let's hope Scorsese makes a better fist of it with his attempt.



Words Fail Me...
Review date: 2006-12-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

Im a huge fan of chinese cinema, but this movie takes it to another plane for me. Infernal affairs follows the strory of two men, played by Tony Leung and Andy Lau, who lead secret lives behind the facet of their everyday roles. Leung is an undercover cop who has for years been a member of triad leader Eric Tsang's gang, to the point that he is questioning his own identity. Lau is the reverse article-a triad mole set into the Hong Kong PD from a very early age to ensure trust.
The Plot is not all it seems, even from a passing glance,and the twists and turns that follow (obviously not going to spoil them here for you) put this in the same league of the likes of the usual suspects in terms of potboilers. Some elements of this film pay tribute to John Woo's action packed Hard-Boiled(1992), which also starred Leung and Anthony Wong(Leung's boss here.)Though if you are used to the high bodycounts in those films, you will get a surprise here.
Th acting is all-round spectacular, rewarded justly at the Hong Kong film awards of 2002, and the scenery and cinematography are also top-notch.
I dont want to reveal much,if any, of the pictures reason for being, just suffice to say that I have never read a bad review of this masterpiece, or even heard a bad word uttered about it. it was followed by a prequel (excellent) and a sequel (a decline but still good), as well as Martin Scorsese's US remake The Departed earlier this year. Seek this one out first, undoubtedly one of my favourite films of all time.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
Kelly Chen
Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Andy Lau
Eric Tsang

Creators:
Andy Lau (Primary Contributor)
Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Primary Contributor)
Wai-keung Lau (Cinematographer)
Wai-keung Lau (Producer)
Siu Fai Mak (Writer)
Ellen Chang (Producer)
Lorraine Ho (Producer)
Felix Chong (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Miramax
Manufacturer: Miramax
EAN: 0786936267266
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dubbed, DVD-Video, NTSC,
Release date: 2004-12-07
Universal product code (UPC): 786936267266
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Thai (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Dubbed)

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