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| INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002) | |
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Infernal
Affairs, a high-speed thriller delivered on a bed of explosives that is
ready to go off, takes place in fast-paced modern Hong Kong where two
cultures, the Chinese and the previous Royal British Colony, are fused
into a complex mix that attracts and repels each other simultaneously.
This dance between the cultures is noticeable in the daily jargon and
architecture, yet the clear distinction between the cultures can be heard
in the music and social values often based on proverbial lessons taught
from ancient stories. In the middle of this culture clash
there is another fierce conflict between the Triads and the police force's
organized crime unit. These two elements, legal and illegal,
represent the new and old as the Triads attempt to stay in power through
financial control of Hong Kong by extortion, trafficking, and other
criminal activities, which they slowly attempt to decriminalize through
organizing their criminal activities.
The police force plants a mole, the sharp Yan (Tony Leung), within the criminal world in order to find a way to stop the organized crime. Yan is dedicated to his calling as he wants to serve the public for a better future, but he often questions his decision as he is forced to live with an alter ego. Nonetheless, Yan continues to fight the crime from within the dragon's nest. Triads use the same methods as the police force as they also have planted a mole within the organized crime unit that can tip them of any possible raids. Ming (Andy Lau), a spirited and driven police officer, is Yan's counterpart as he attempts to snoop out from within what the organized crime unit is planning. The struggle for Hong Kong leads Yan and Ming into a cerebral complex maze of traps and dangers controlled by both the police and the Triads as they both attempt to unveil the true identity of the moles. Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak direct a visually stunning film that is brought to life by an excellent cast. The editing in Infernal Affairs is brilliant as it creates a highly stressful atmosphere where time becomes distorted and sweat pearls on the audience's forehead. This stress is elevated by minute details in the script and meticulous cinematography that maximizes each situation through camera movement and focusing at the best possible time. Lighting and filters used in the camera while shooting many of the scenes enhances realistic feelings for the scenes, but it also leaves an artistic impression that focuses on the emotional moment. When all aspects of film making are put together in Infernal Affairs it leaves the audience with an exceptional cinematic experience. |
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Hong Kong |
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| REVIEWED | |
| 4/30/2004 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
