Infernal Affairs Trilogy

[mhku]

Infernal Affairs is a trilogy set in Hong Kong with big name actors if you follow HK cinema but less known in the West.

It is a story about triads and cops, each trying to outwit the other. The cops have a mole in the triads and the triads have a mole in the police and the story follows who can remain hidden and not get killed. It is about friendship, betrayal, loyalty, corruption, death and loss.

The first film has the most action, the second film is slower and the third film the most complicated with a few twists and is both a sequel and a semi-prequel to the original film. You must watch them in order as well or it will make no sense, especially as there are a few flashbacks and things are not always as they seem.

Part II is perhaps the best of the three and has a great music score; all three have a DTS soundtrack and are visually very impressive.

This is perhaps the best trilogy that I've watched and gives The Godfather films a run for their money especially as all three films are strong. 9/10

 

[mhku]

Martin Scorcese's The Departed is based on Infernal Affairs. I don't know if I'm biased having watched I.A. first but I thought it was "OK" at best.

Matt Damon wasn't very good, Jack Nicholson's character had none of the humour of Sam from the original film and all the original character of the film had been sucked out of the film. And the music score was poor compare to I.A.

 

[Saturlight]

You may care to know that Internal Affairs was a mature content video movie series, made in America, which lasted for five films. ;)