Infernal Affairs 2 (Wu jian dao 2, 2003)

Infernal Affairs II, the sequel (but actually a prequel) of Infernal Affairs, hits the ground running as we're given the untold story that precluded Infernal Affairs' 1997 beginning. It's the year 1991 and a young Officer Yan (played here by Shawn Yue) has been dispatched to more or less infiltrate his own family. You see, Yan's half-brother is Triad boss and all-around upstanding citizen, Ngai Wing-Hau (Francis Ng). Hau has been catapulted to head of the class because SP Wong (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) has surreptitiously collaborated with a member of the Ngai Family's inner circle to have "retired" Triad Boss 'Uncle Kwan' murdered. After the assassination, the Triads are buzzing and the upper echelon bosses start to swarm and jockey for power. So to get everything back under control, Hau opens up a can of 'Michael Corleone' on the group, and one by one his problems go away. With the exception of Sam (again played deftly by Eric Tsang). Being one of Hau's closest compatriots, he barely escapes a meeting with some of Hau's associates while on a business trip for him in Thailand. Upon his return, Sam flips and talks to SP Wong about cooperating and the department puts him in a safe-house. This is where Sam has his first contact with an unfledged, but cagey officer named Lau Kin Ming. Ming (Edison Chen, A-1 Headline) makes the most of a few moments alone with Sam, at the safe-house with a team of officers, to create an opportunity for himself with Sam. And we see this come to fruition in Internal Affairs. There's plenty more than what's in this short recap, so don't be alarmed. It's not this cut and dry. The film ends on the cusp of the British hand-over of Hong Kong to the Chinese in 1997. A powerful turning point for Hong Kong in the film and in reality, as well as a good transition point for the film's characters into Infernal Affairs.

With Infernal Affairs II though, a majority of the movie struck me as a tad melodramatic. That may be due to the fact that it is a prequel. I knew the outcome of most every crucial character story-line the movie had to offer, which took most, but not all of the surprise and tension away from the start. But that only applies to the one's that we knew already. Where the melodrama helps is within the inter-Triad confrontations. Reason being, since most of the characters are new to us, the added dramatics and weighty camera work allows us to not dwell on that fact. The first third of the film readily acquaints with the new characters with a fast pace that requires our attention. Furthermore, we have in-depth looks into old favorites from Infernal Affairs; the tough road SP Wong takes to get where he is, Sam's rise to Triad Boss, a brief but effective glimpse of Ming's wife Mary (Carina Lau) and where she came from, and a few other nice additions.

One negative was the sometimes overbearing soundtrack, which I was surprised to find was a bit too eager in several places. Long tracks of dialogue were minimized and obscured by music playing simultaneously. Also, without Tony Leung and Andy Lau, the movie doesn't hit with the same magnitude as part one. But because it's essentially a preamble to Internal Affairs and provokes the viewer to recollect how each character fits, there's a built in fail-safe for the lack of "star power" to lead us. Internal Affairs 2 is it's own movie though, for reasons I mentioned earlier and because it covers essentially new ground. I would almost recommend that it be watched first because I do think it does a great job telling the back-story of Infernal Affairs. But it's clear (from flashbacks in part two and how it opens) that it is intended for a post-Infernal Affairs viewing. That, I would hate to mess with the originals brilliance by something possibly being spoiled. All that being said, a damn good companion piece to the original that is worth the time. Just don't expect to be blown completely away.

Infernal Affairs (Wu jian dao, 2002)

Infernal Affairs begins as young police cadet named Chan Wing Yan (Tony Leung) is being groomed by the highest ranks of the Academy to eventually become an inside man for the police. His keen eye and steady demeanor makes him the perfect candidate to infiltrate the Triads, who have taken control of Hong Kong's streets and are peddling massive amounts of drugs to it's citizens. At the same time, a different road is laid out for fellow Academy officer Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau). Although we aren't witness to the actual path he takes, Ming becomes Yan's counterpart in the film, as he uses his position within the higher ranks of the police department to keep Triad Boss Sam a step ahead of any police actions. Sam is deftly played by Eric Tsang, who gives a highly effective, authentic performance here. What follows is one of the best table-turning, catch-me-if-you-can cop stories ever put to film.

Often compared with another great epic, Michael Mann's "Heat", Infernal Affairs is quicker, brighter and goes down in 40 minute less time. It's apparent why this film became a smashing success in Asia and in turn, exploded onto the world scene. Spawning a sequel (which is actually a prequel) and then a third installment.

Returning to the story; Yan, after leaving the Academy and subsequently earning his chops
on the street as a Triad footman for 10 years, becomes a member deep in Sam's inner circle. Yan continues to work directly and exclusively with Superintendent Wong (played by Anthony Wong) feeding him information that Wong puts to good use. He brings that information to his most elite police team led by Officer Ming, who unbeknown to Wong, relays it back to the Triads. Ming showcases his moxie and stealth inside an active command center, feeding police channels and locations to Sam in real-time, within five feet of fellow officers. Yan, at the same time, finds a way to keep Wong informed. A brilliantly scripted Felix Chong & Siu Fai Mak screenplay lends weight, tension and gravity to even the simplest scenes. Finally, Wong is able to get Sam brought in to be interviewed, but by that time, they both know that each has an undercover man inside their particular camps. In a Pacino/DeNiro-esque face-off, Wong and Sam smugly challenge each other to find their respective moles. The rest of the film is yours to enjoy.

One aspect of this film that gets as much attention and kudos as the characters themselves
is Chan Kwong Wing's stellar, powerful, moody soundtrack. The original score begins the
film along with sweeping, abstract visuals that flow gracefully across the screen, accompanied by the undulating score. What stuck with me in particular (as a first time listener to his work) was the alternately light, then heavy drum tracks as they scurried from front to back, left to right, left-rear to right-rear and diagonally back; washing the entire room with energy and life. The mood shifted from forceful grandeur to intricate suspicion and back again. The perfect audio preview to what was to follow. Deep inside the film is a heart-wrenching female vocal track that seems to signal the true beginning to Yan and Ming's respective gambits toward finding out each another, and when she sings again, yet another chapter begins to take shape. It's brilliant in depth and scope. Never a track out of step with the film and only the most appropriate volume and energy. So rarely does a soundtrack fall into line and dance so well with a film. So rarely does one set the tone for a film.

Infernal Affairs is loaded with subterfuge and intrigue. We're privy to both sides of the proverbial infiltration equation from the start, but this formula gets more complex with near misses and natural character evolutions, even as the story itself appears to begin it's resolution. At least that's what I found. There is a touch generic cop vs. cop to it (if I must find a flaw), with a couple classic stand-offs, but very little mano-a-mano conflict. The film's confrontations are wholly group against group; good against bad. That can't be ignored. The beauty of the film is in the interaction. It has all of the elements of many crime dramas, but Infernal Affairs is genuine and sophisticated like none other.