Infernal Affairs - The Trilogy (Subtitled) (DVD)

...blah, blah..........

Infernal Affairs is, in part, a rip off of a Hollywood blockbuster you may have heard called, "The Godfather." so the good/bad balance is restored.

ANYWAY - THESE MOVIES ARE COOL!!!

But you, discerning readers required more than that so I shall indulge you.....

This is a review of all three films included in this trilogy pack with extras

INFERNAL ...
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INFERNAL AFFAIRS II

Set during the transfer of Hong Kong to China rule (1997), this is a history lesson in how the two cadets came to be spies and their journey through the last 10 years leading up to how the triad organisation came to be what it is by the time of the first film.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS III
1 year after the events of INFERNAL AFFAIRS the story continues although in true Pulp Fiction ... more

Some people moan that Hollywood rips off foreign movies and that Hollywood is an immoral corporate rich club machine of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah..........

Infernal Affairs is, in part, a rip off of a Hollywood blockbuster you may have heard called, "The Godfather." so the good/bad balance is restored.

ANYWAY - THESE MOVIES ARE COOL!!!

But you, discerning readers required more than that so I shall indulge you.....

This is a review of all three films included in this trilogy pack with extras

INFERNAL AFFAIRS - the story, in short, is that the paths of two police cadets converge 10 years later. One was expelled and became part of a criminal underworld Triad gang who was then returned to the police force as a spy for the triads. The other cadet was planted as a spy in the triad underworld for the police.
After a drugs bust goes wrong the police and the triads attempt to find out who the spy is in their respective organisation.
The two spies then begin an investigation into who the spy is until they realise they are looking for each other and then begins the chase and resulting rooftop confrontation.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS II

Set during the transfer of Hong Kong to China rule (1997), this is a history lesson in how the two cadets came to be spies and their journey through the last 10 years leading up to how the triad organisation came to be what it is by the time of the first film.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS III
1 year after the events of INFERNAL AFFAIRS the story continues although in true Pulp Fiction style the movie bounces between current day and the time line of the first two movies. It expands on the relationship between all officers and the triads and we realise how closely related the two spies were in life and their activities and thoughts.

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This film has been copied recently and is only a few years old itself (2002-2005). The film is well shot and at no point resorts to rubbish special effects or bizarre camera panning, freeze-frame nonsense that some big-budget films can rely on.
The story, like much Asian cinema is at a fairly slow pace, however when you are dealing with the tensions of Triad meetings and run ins with the police where everyone has to tread carefully in what they say - this film's careful pace works very well. Although when business goes bad - the action quickens excellently.

You need to keep up with this film and if you are interested in Police / Criminal underworld type films I would recommend not leaving too long a gap between watching each film. Given the double-dealing complexity of individual loyalty I found I needed to watch the first film again before continuing.
Additionally, each character is developed well with all having a reason for doing what they do and it is the convergence of all the objectives in each movie that adds to its drama.

There is not an excessive amount of visual violence in these movies considering their subject matter and the power of the situations derives mainly from the tension of each group attempting to outdo each other by posturing which is also where The Godfather derived much of its power.
Features:

Alternative ending (exclusive to this UK release!)
Audio commentary
Deleted scenes
Outtakes reel
Behind the scenes featurette
Confidential files
Film notes from John Millar
Original theatrical trailer
Asia Extreme trailer reel

Infernal Affairs 2:
Deleted scenes
'Confidential File' featurette
'Behind The Scenes' featurette
Original theatrical trailer

Infernal Affairs 3:
'Behind The Scenes' documentary
Original trailer
Asia Extreme trailer reel
4 page booklet with extensive film notes (THIS CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS SO PLEASE READ AFTER WATCHING ALL MOVIES)

The features are very useful - particularly at pointing out little asides, facial expressions which add depth to the characters thoughts at the time. I found that even though after watching you feel you have grasped the plot. There were nuances of meaning which were explained during these commentaries. It did see that the writers had scripted an entire life story for many of the characters even though much was not relevant or included in the films.

CERT: 15
PRICE £17.99 -£19.99 (although may be less in other places)
Discs: 3
Proper Extras: Yes

Actors Tony Leung ; Andy Lau ; Kelly Chen ; Eric Tsang ; Sammi Cheng ; Edison Chen ; Elva Hsiao ; Anthony Wong ; Shawn Yue ; Francis Ng ; Carina Lau ; Andrew Lin ; Bey Logan ; Leon Lai ; Chen Daoming ; Chapman To ; Courtney Wu

Director Wai Keung Lau ; Siu Fai Mak
Screen Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic
Languages Cantonese - Dolby Digital (5.1) ; DTS
Subtitles English
 

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