MOVIE REVIEW - Infernal Affairs (2002)
aka Mou gaan dou
Directors: Andrew Lau, Alen Mak
Starring: Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang
Two dedicated men are working undercover on opposite sides of the law. The first is Inspector Lau (Andy Lau) a hard working police officer who is really a triad mole within the OCTB and then on the flipside there is Yan (Tony Leung) who is an undercover police officer working inside a triad gang. As their lives intersect they both begin their own investigations each trying to find on the other is.
Similar in ideals to Woo's Hard Boiled in how it looks into the dedication of men made to work undercover. How these two handle every day life whilst lying to everyone they know and the friendships they can develop with the people they are essentially spying on. But it is a thousand miles away from Hard Boiled when it comes to action. IA provides action through it's raw tension, it pulls you to edge of your seat as they come closer to finding out who is who. By the time a few bullets do start to fly it is short and all the more realistic in tone.
Andrew Lau's direction style is fantastic and is a perfect example of a stylised director who doesn't overload the screen with little flairs. It is subtle and brings you in closer to the characters. The acting is superb especially Tony Leung's wrought portayal of an almost burnt out undercover cop and Andy Lau is great as always.
I also what to give praise to the fact that Hong Kong filmmakers can let the film tell the story rather than lengthy exposistion. Making these movies a more cerebral experience then the majority of thrillers coming out of other countries.
Overall: A marvellous new addition to my top 100. 10/10
Directors: Andrew Lau, Alen Mak
Starring: Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang
Two dedicated men are working undercover on opposite sides of the law. The first is Inspector Lau (Andy Lau) a hard working police officer who is really a triad mole within the OCTB and then on the flipside there is Yan (Tony Leung) who is an undercover police officer working inside a triad gang. As their lives intersect they both begin their own investigations each trying to find on the other is.
Similar in ideals to Woo's Hard Boiled in how it looks into the dedication of men made to work undercover. How these two handle every day life whilst lying to everyone they know and the friendships they can develop with the people they are essentially spying on. But it is a thousand miles away from Hard Boiled when it comes to action. IA provides action through it's raw tension, it pulls you to edge of your seat as they come closer to finding out who is who. By the time a few bullets do start to fly it is short and all the more realistic in tone.
Andrew Lau's direction style is fantastic and is a perfect example of a stylised director who doesn't overload the screen with little flairs. It is subtle and brings you in closer to the characters. The acting is superb especially Tony Leung's wrought portayal of an almost burnt out undercover cop and Andy Lau is great as always.
I also what to give praise to the fact that Hong Kong filmmakers can let the film tell the story rather than lengthy exposistion. Making these movies a more cerebral experience then the majority of thrillers coming out of other countries.
Overall: A marvellous new addition to my top 100. 10/10
posted by Ozark at 9:03 AM
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