| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Andy Lau | ... | Inspector Lau Kin Ming | |
| Tony Chiu-Wai Leung | ... | Chen Wing Yan (as Tony Leung) | |
| Anthony Chau-Sang Wong | ... | SP Wong Chi Shing (as Anthony Wong) | |
| Eric Tsang | ... | Hon Sam | |
| Kelly Chen | ... | Dr. Lee Sum Yee | |
| Sammi Cheng | ... | Mary | |
| Edison Chen | ... | Young Lau Kin Ming | |
| Shawn Yue | ... | Young Chan Wing Yan | |
| Elva Hsiao | ... | May | |
| Chapman To | ... | Tsui Wai-keung | |
| Ka Tung Lam | ... | Inspector B (as Lam Ka Tung) | |
| Ting Yip Ng | ... | Inspector Cheung (as Ng Ting Yip) | |
| Dion Lam | ... | Del Piero | |
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Chi Keung Wan | ... | Officer Leung (as Wan Chi Keung) |
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Hui Kam Fung | ... | Cadet School Principal |
Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst. Written by Aya
Most western viewers will only know the Asian crime scene from the bleak and lyrical canvas of Takeshi Kitano's work. Here we get something that at first seems far more westernized and very close to the work of one Michael Mann. Okay, enough allusions: yes "Heat" comes heavily to mind at first. but this is no simple "Heat" in Hong Kong. This a splicing of everything Asians do best in a moody, stylish tension-based thriller. From the beautiful cinematography(reminiscent of Wong Kar-Way's films)- step forward visual consultant Christopher Doyle! - and music to the graceful ying-yang undertones (mirror-images are a key theme), the film's most heroic achievement lies in its leads and in the bold ending.
Hearing that this is being considered for a remake stateside comes as no big surprise, but how Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio could possibly compete against Andy Lau and Tony Leung evokes cynicism at best. Both leads are perfect. Lau's cold calculating intellect against Leung's anguished and tormented heart, complimentary opposites. There aren't enough words to commend this fresh, invigorating film with...