Customer Reviews

The Infernal Affairs Trilogy (Infernal Affairs 1 / Infernal Affairs 2 / Infernal Affairs 3) (Special Collector's Edition Box Set)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great to see the "Infernal Affairs" series getting some attention in the States, but it's a big disappointment that the first (and best) film in this set is the same Miramax disc that came out a few years ago. Exactly. The DVD looks good enough, but a bit flat. No doubt the images could have been vastly improved: with all that metal and glass and the high-tech toys you'd think the visuals would sparkle. The other titles are welcome upgrades, however.

As for "The Departed," just consider them different movies. I prefer "Internal Affairs" because of its originality and the surprise factor, but your mileage may vary.

You are doing yourself a great disservice if you ignore the Infernal Affairs trilogy in lieu of The Departed, which valiantly attempts to combine the trilogy. The IA movies masterfully weave together a great story about a triad boss and the cop(s) trying to bring him down. It's well acted and filmed. In the trilogy the story is allowed to unfold in the span of a few years allowing the characters to develop and not be 1 dimensional.

IA and IA2 are definitely more thrilling and action packed on the level of the old Eastwood, McQueen, Bronson movies, meaning no one has superpowers, no one flies, and there's no CG work. It does have a very good cast led by Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu Wai. IA3 has a little less action and shows the other side of some scenes. It's a little slower to start, but it grows to a satisfying end.

So on the same day The Departed hits shelves American audiences finally recieve the original Hong Kong trilogy on DVD. So is it worth the purchase. Definitely in my opinion but don't watch it if you're interested in seeing The Departed. I like Scorsese's adaptation good enough (not enough to call it best picture of the year which it will probably walk away with {at which point does he credit the original filmmakers with his first oscar}) but watching this series before hand it took away some of the suprises that were relevant in that film.
So how are these films not compared to their American counterpart? Well the first one hits all the right notes as suprisingly slick an intelligent thriller. I don't get all of the religious ideas that the filmmakers used in writing the script but you can't deny the power of the filmmaking and writing put forth. Theres a nice back and forth and when the suprises that ruined The Departed they are rather well timed for the perfect emotional payoff. The acting is great, and I didn't even mind the comic relief from Chapman To as one of the gangsters. And to bolster the acting writing that makes the characters deeper than they'd be in a lesser film. I will also say the darker ending in which things don't go as planned for the hero also gets higher marks in my book.
Infernal Affairs II is a prequel that was made directly after the original showing how the policeman was recruited to be a mole and spy on his uncle, a mobster trying to hide his doings and avenge the murder of his father by Mob boss Sam and the soon to be police mole Ming. Theres was a lot that I loved in this film making me overlook the faults, mainly that it went on a little too long and could be overly dramatic at times. Joining the cast for this outing Carina Lau is great as wife of mob boss Sam who's the secret love of Ming and in love with Anthony Wong. And Francis Ng is just excellent as the villain of the film. This was the first film I noticed him in and I've been a fan ever since in films like The Mission or Exiled.
Infernal Affairs III. I won't say much about this one as doing so would spoil events in part one. Just to say it involves a character surviving from the first one who's deceit is driving him slowly insane. Again this film goes on too long and was melodramatic in places, but the writing was so good and the characters so interesting that in my opinion this little craveat didn't bother me as much as it would others. Excellent additions to the cast include Leon Lai as a shadowy cop who might be another triad mole, and Hero's Chen Dao Ming playing a mainland gangster who in flashbacks was scene to be setting up business with Eric Tsangs Sam and in the present is seen as shadow character whose motivations aren't known.
Anyway to wrap this up as I feel I've gone into ramble mode. This is a real good series that entertained the hell out of me. I haven't seen The Dragon Dynasty release, but everything here is good enough to warrant a look from fans of the Scorsese film are fans of Hong Kong films in general.

This set was incredible years ago when I watched it in the order it supposed to be watched. It is sort of like Star Wars going backwards but it also makes lateral moves as well. I am not sure how the order is on these DVDs but the original one jumped around a lot. I bought the original DVDs in the order that they came out and had them imported from Hong Kong years ago and it is one of the best movies I have seen coming out of Hong Kong in a long time. I do not want to compare the departed because it is sort of a joke to copy a movie then not acknowledge it. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good crime/suspense/thinker film.

I saw the first one a few years back. I wasn't blown away by it, but thought it was a decent movie (a lot better than The Departed). After all the buzz generated by The Departed, I had to revisit Infernal Affairs and its sequels. Again, I thought Infernal Affairs is a good but not great movie after watching it the second time. Infernal Affairs 2 is a better movie in my opinion since it develop the relationships that was missing in the first one. Although the stars (Andy Lau and Tony Leung) weren't in it, Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang proves why they're two of the best actors in Hong Kong. Finally, Infernal Affairs 3 is just a masterpiece. Not so much a great movie on its own, but it binded and sealed the trilogy as my favorite trilogy of all-time perfectly with its use of flashbacks. Check out all 3. You won't be disappointed.

Finally, one of the greatest series in Hong Kong cinema has made it to our neck of the woods. I've been waiting awhile for an American distributor to pick this up and give it the proper treatment. Over a year ago I saw the series for sale in NYC (chinatown), and for some odd reason, passed it up. I thought I would have to make the trip back to East coast to get it, but thanks to Dragon Dynasty (and the fact that "the Departed" did so well), I've finally got it. It's sad that the "Infernal Affairs" series had to get the "Hollywood" treatment of a big-star remake just to get noticed, but oh well, better late than never, right?

This is an amazing series that showcases some of the best talent that Hong Kong cinema has to offer. Wiether it be from it's directors, Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, or it's amazing cast, that includes Andy Lau (Fulltime Killer), Tony Leung (Hard Boiled), Francis Ng (the Mission), Eric Tsang (Gen-X Cops), Leon Lai (Seven Swords) and Anthony Wong (Time and Tide), just to name a few. It's a definate must have for all us fans of Asain cinema. Or a for those of you not familiar to this side of the film world, it would definatly make a great introduction to it.

With the original, and it's superior prequel and mind-bending sequel, this trilogy will take you much deeper into the mythology of the characters and it's story, than the American remake even came close to. So, for all you fans of "the Departed", check this out and see how it all began (and truly ends).

I am a huge fan of foreign movies and as of late been renting several Asian movies. The Infernal Affairs Trilogy is my favorite! Way before the hoopla of "The Departed", this movie has stood out amongst alot of Asian viewers as a 5 star! Andy Lau, star, director and writer leads a team of undercover and dirty cop characters twisting and turning in the police force. Who is good and who is bad, that's what keeps you hanging in your seat till the very end.

Anyone who likes cop thrillers, and a cast of characters that keep you guessing should pick up this trilogy. Highly entertaining!

Part 1 is a winner! Martin Scorsese released the American version and won an Academy award. What higher acclaim is there for this Hong Kong original movie? The scipt takes the "corrupt cop" story to a whole other
level. Anthony Wong, Tony Leung and Andy Lau once again give outstanding performaces with a dramtic unexpected ending as only Hong Kong directors
seems to employ.
Part 2 is an interesting prequel. 2 young actors take the roles created by Andy Lau and Tony Leung and the movie weaves an interesting background
story. Part 3 is sluggish, filmed simplty to establish a trilogy.

It's a shame that certain films only gain the attention they deserve once remade into the English language. There is nothing gained (and quite a bit lost) by remaking these films for an English-speaking audience. Everything you need is here (tension, drama, intrigue). What a pleasure it is to see superior quality films finally get their due.

I always like watching the inspiration of something that has been Americanized and this is no exception.If your a fan of the movie The Departed make sure you pick up this 3 disc dvd set.They took alot from these movies and picked it up twisted it mixed it up and turned it into a crime drama set in Boston.This being set in China makes this one of the best movies to come out of Hong Kong.I highly recommend you watch these movies.