Infernal Affairs III

I've watched Infernal Affairs I, II & III, in a year time. I loved the first one very much. It gave me a very unexpected feeling. It's simple but strong in impact. Though one could mention a lot of flaws in the plot, I just couldn't resist its charm. The second one made me disappointed because it lacked the kind of impact the first one gave me. Now after watching the third one, I realise why there needs to be a second one in totally different style than the first one. It's a preparation for the audiences adapting to the change in the third one.

I like this third one. Without the second one, probably I would have been like the other audiences critising the change of style from the first one. It's this kind of change, it's made the film more solid, full of human feeling. The first one indeed was touching only the surface of the hole. This third one is more into the content of it - the heart of the people.

I love particularly the part describing Andy Lau's psychological sufferings and changes. The shadowing effect he had with Tony Leung should deserve a credit for script writing, directing and editting. The interlacing of stories between that happened before and after Tony Leung's death has been editted great. I feel sorry for people who don't read this or who don't like it. It's certainly the best part of the film which should earn a credit rather than negative critics.

I would conclude that the first one is like spicy cuisine which is strong in taste and quick in making one like it immediately if you can stand it. The third one is somehow a French cuisine where you have to be patient, taste it slowly together with the wine before you appreciate the marvellous cooking skills and feel the heart of the Chef.

My infernal 'Infernal Affairs' marathon concludes with the third part of this epic saga. This time we're closing in on another mole in the Police force. The trouble is, we keep slipping back into the past so we can see how this guy ties in with it all. To be honest it's a bit of a mess but here's a brief summary while I can still remember it (summary haters, and those that don't wish to know about the plot, take some bad guys out while I write the next paragraph).

Lau Kin Ming has now been cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of the undercover cop, Chan Wing Yan. He can now concentrate on finding other moles in the Police force. His attention is drawn to SP Yeung Kam Wing who seems to be keeping his cards very close to his chest. Another candidate is Shen Chen, a man who, at one time, was Hon Sam's partner. Not everybody is who they seem to be and add to this a lot of flashing backwards and forwards in time, it makes for a rather confusing plot… Think I'll leave it there, I'm getting confused.

It's pretty well made, but it seems very cobbled together and has little coherence. The plot is very hard to follow and a bit of a mess of a screenplay doesn't really help. Performance wise; Tony Leung Chiu Wai was pretty good as Chan Wing Yan, as was Andy Lau as Lau Kin Ming. Of the rest, Leon Lai did a decent job as the enigmatic SP Yeung Kam Wing and Daoming Chen was pretty good as Shen Chen.

The first two films were really good and so I found it hard to believe this one could be so bad. It almost feels like it was rushed out too quickly after the success of the first two and suffered greatly for it. It certainly lacks the punch of the first two and as such is a rather disappointing conclusion to the trilogy. NOT recommended.

My Score: 4.6/10

The last installment in the Infernal Affairs trilogy is surprisingly slow moving, but still has the high production values and intricate story of the first two, although as a whole it is slightly less engaging than the preceding films. There have been a lot of comparisons between this trilogy and The Godfather films, and the similarities in story-telling structure and the overall arc of the sequels are definitely there, although I have to admit that I think the Godfathers exist on an entirely different level as these films. The Infernal Affairs films are good, but they're not THAT good.

There is a lot of work in bringing together the stories of the first two films and it definitely adds to them, but I found this one to be too slow moving, although the pace picked up by the third act and the final scene is definitely impressive.

On the other hand, the trilogy ends on a serious downer - "Ksitigarbha Sutra - 'People of the like shall be cast into the Avinci Hell and will continue to suffer from Kalpas to Kalpas with no means of escape.'

I may as well just admit that I don't know the meaning or source of this quote, but it sure seems like a depressing note to end the trilogy on. Nevertheless, despite being just a little bit of a let-down (like countless trilogy finales), Internal Affairs 3 is a necessary closure, and Asian cinema fans are sure to eat it up.

Internal Affairs III is the final film in the trilogy, this film is like the prequel (the second installment) directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, the former being the one who directed the original. This third film serves as both a prequel and sequel to the first film, as it continues after the events of the first film and before those events. Andy Lau and Tony Leung reprise their roles from the first film as Senior Inspector Lau Kin-Ming, an ex-Triad spy in the Hong Kong Police Force who tries to cover his criminal past and remain as a cop. Tony Leung as Chan Wing-Yan, an undercover Hong Kong Police Force officer in the Triad. He was killed by Inspector B in the first film, but returns in the prequel aspect of the film. Kelly Chen, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang and Chapman To also reprise their roles again, joined by new cast members Leon Lai and Chen Daoming. Andy Lau actually won the award for Best Actor in the Golden Horse Awards, well deserved I must say. The film was nominated for a lot of other different awards. Andy Lau's acting is superb. Being one of the new cast members, I think Leon Lai is one of those standout performances in the film as Superintendent Yeung Kam-Wing who's Lau's rival in the police force. Chen Daoming is too quite great as "Shadow" Shen Cheng, two good additions to the trilogy.

Months after the events of the original film, Ming suspects a police superintendent as being a new mole for the triads, while years earlier, Yan embarks on his first mission.

So I bought the whole trilogy on Criterion and I got the director's cut of the movie, more than I knew before buying as I had only heard about the first film. I thought this version of the film was a good viewing, a crime story worth telling, with great themes. Will Lau survive the infernal agonies of fear, paranoia, and lack of trust? Watch and you'll find out. It contains many satisfying answers to questions that have lingered after the first two installments. I've seen the question is it unnecessary? It depends on how much you like the story and characters, I don't think this film was wanted, but it was needed and it's because of the story and how much depth it has. The questions you might have, are answered here. The first film ended perfectly and the second installment was a great prequel that gave more context and just more, this film struggles but ends up being a fine addition. Also a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, I think the pacing could have been better and some of the writing too. Yet, it's solid, tying up loose ends and brings the character arcs to a satisfying conclusion. Especially Lau's character arc. I think the ending was fitting. The trilogy could have worked as one film, but how the writers and directors expanded the story and characters, into something memorable. This was a terrific trilogy. Internal Affairs III was a good crime drama, perhaps a bit unnecessary, but good.

Infernal Affairs 3 builds cleverly on the plotline of the first movie, but with its complex story and frequent switches between past and present, is likely to seriously confuse anyone who comes to it without having seen Part 1 first to understand the two main characters. For those who have, this film brings out further details of the relationship between the two, superbly played again by Tony Leung and Andy Lau. With frequent flashbacks, the film focuses on extending the story of Triad mole Ming (Andy Lau), warping up the tension as the stresses of his double life become intolerable. Leon Lai's usual expressionless performance, which mars his other films, works well here as it leaves you few clues about his character's motivation until the climax.

If you enjoyed Part 1, you will enjoy this. (I haven't seen Part 2 yet.)