Hey folks, Harry here... One of the best films I've seen this year was INFERNAL AFFAIRS... it picked up 16 nominations in the Hong Kong Film Awards.... and ya know... it is just brilliant. Well, because we're dealing with Hong Kong... and the first was so damn successful... well, less than a year later, we have the sequel, and guess what? Instead of it being some sort of knock off - like would happen with that sort of turn around in this country... apparently this prequel is great too! Sigh, I tell ya... Hong Kong, Korea, Japan... they just kick ass! Here ya go...
Hey Harry,
Marshy here from Hong Kong where Infernal Affairs 2 has just broken the opening day box office record (previously held by the original Infernal Affairs) by taking $3.91 million in itÃs first 24 hours. It opened on Wednesday to coincide with the Chinese "National Day" public holiday, which will also give it a five day opening weekend ñ so get ready for more records to be broken come Monday morning.
I am a huge fan of the first film; it did everything to restore my confidence in an otherwise pretty sorry-looking Hong Kong film industry, and thankfully part 2 more than satisfies.
I.A.2 is a prequel to the original film, starting in 1991 and following all four of the main protagonists through the nineties up to the hand-over in 1997. This time, however, the focus is predominantly on the relationship between Anthony WongÃs detective SP Wong and Eric TsangÃs up-and-coming mobster Sam.
Directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak have delivered a film much denser than itÃs predecessor, telling a hugely complex and character-rich story whilst re-capturing the same mood and atmosphere that made part one so special.
I was wary that the absence of Tony Leung and Andy Lau might leave this film lacking but the cast more than hold their own, sharing the load of this heavyweight project with ease.
Francis Ng oozes menace as the cool-as-ice triad kingpin Hau, cutting a swathe through Hong Kong when the murder of his father prompts him to rid the city of his competitors.
Edison Chen and Shawn Yue also deliver surprisingly competent portrayals of the young Ming and Yan (Lau and LeungÃs characters from part 1) as we witness their ascent through the ranks of, respectively, the police and the triads. Less time is spent on these characters as, after all, we know a fair chunk of their story already, but screenwriter Felix Chong ensures that they remain integral to the proceedings throughout, throwing us juicy new character tidbits along the way.
Chong freely admits his films have been influenced by the Godfather trilogy and it is here in IA2 where you can really see how. There are a couple of sequences (which I shall not disclose here) that directly homage CoppolaÃs original masterpiece, but in so loving a manner that you never hold it against these guys for a second. Rather you almost accept the flattery on CoppolaÃs behalf as you recognize ChongÃs references.
I am delighted to say that this film is a success, throwing open so many new doors into the history and motivations of these characters whilst simultaneously bringing a plethora of new and exciting pieces to the puzzle. It is also great to see nineties Hong Kong recreated so lovingly. For those of you unfamiliar with the city, new buildings shoot up literally every week, meaning that the skyline is almost unrecognizable from that of ten years ago. As somebody who has only been here in the years since the Chinese regained control it is fascinating to see how different the city was back then. Not to mention such amusing little details as the brick-sized cell-phones and a beautifully resurrected Kai Tak Airport, where the planes had to literally fly between the skyscrapers before landing right in the heart of the city.
And if nothing else, everybody should check this out just for one more chance to watch Eric Tsang eat ñ My God! that is truly a sight worth seeing. He is a genius with a set of chopsticks.
Til next time,
Marshy xxx
