Infernal Affairs II
From WikiRoll
Infernal Affairs II (Template:Cantonese-tjp) (also known as IA2) is a 2003 Hong Kong film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It is a prequel to the 2002 hit Infernal Affairs. Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Eric Tsang, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue and Chapman To reprise their roles from the original film alongside new cast members Carina Lau, Francis Ng and Hu Jun. Both Tony Leung and Andy Lau, who played the central roles in the original, do not appear in the film, as they are replaced by the younger versions played by Shawn Yue and Edison Chen, respectively.
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[edit] Cast
- Anthony Wong - Superintendent Wong Chi Shing (黃志誠)
- Eric Tsang - Hon Sam (韓琛)
- Edison Chen - Lau Kin Ming (劉健明)
- Shawn Yue - Chan Wing Yan (陳永仁)
- Carina Lau - Mary Hon (MARY姐)
- Francis Ng - Ngai Wing Hau (倪永孝)
- Hu Jun - Superintendent Luk Kai Cheung (陸啟昌)
- Chapman To - Tsui Wai Keung (傻強)
- Liu Kai Chi - Sam Suk (三叔)
- Roy Cheung - Law Kai Yin (羅雞)
- Fu Ka Lei - May
- Wai Ying Hung - Ngai Wing Hau's Sister (倪永孝家姐)
- Chan Mong Wah - Ngai Wing Yi
- Lin Hoi - Ngai Wing Chung
- Fong Ping - Gandhi (甘地)
- Wong Ngok Tai - Kwok Wah (國華)
- O Chi Kwan - Negro (黑鬼)
- Chan Tak Sam - Man Ching
- Cheung Tung Cho - Ngai Kwan (倪坤)
- Chiu Chung Yue - Mary
[edit] Plot
The movie begins in 1991, roughly 10 years before the events of the first Infernal Affairs.
IA 2 begins with a young Ming, walking down the streets of Mongkok heading for an opera studio, where he asks for a man named Uncle Kwun. When the old man appears, Ming shoots him immediately, killing him instantly. The order for the killing was given by Sam's wife, Mary without disclosure to anyone, including Sam.
The man Ming assassinated was in fact Yan's father, an underworld kingpin. Hau Ngai succeeds his father, and is an understated but effective kingpin in IA 2. Yan is on the verge of becoming a police officer, however his ties to the Triad get him dismissed from the Force (This information was not given in the first film). But he is given a choice to be "a good guy" when SP Wong offers him a deep undercover assignment, and his identity is known only to Wong, and the Assistant Commissioner.
Hau Ngai is Yan's half-brother, thus making it easier for Yan to infiltrate the Triad, but harder for him at the same time because he has to go against his family. Sam works for Hau Ngai.
The film moves slowly from 1991 all the way to 1997. We learn of the relationship between Sam and SP Wong.
[edit] Reaction
The film was highly anticipated prior to its release due to the extreme success achieved by Infernal Affairs. However, general response was interesting to say the least, with most saying that this could not be compared to the first one, while others claiming that it is easily the best out of the series. The original film won seven Hong Kong Film Awards, while IA 2's only award came from Best Original Song.
[edit] Style
The film is a lot slower than the first one. There are no quick or slick Hollywood-style editing. It strives on minimalism, and being extremely low-key in all the killings, and deaths.
The entire film works on developing the characters. It is more of a character study than anything else. There is a wider range in terms of story and settings in Infernal Affairs 2, making it more of an independent epic that is feels completely separate from the other two films in the trilogy. The film is filled with slow-moving scenes, moments of still imagery, close-up shots of characters, showing their emotion more than anything.
The score this time around is much more dramatic than the first one, with the opening Hungarian choir that dominates the intro, there is no return. The entire movie thrives on the choir-based score. The cinematography, is much more grainy this time around, and not crystal-clear like the first one. However, this was done as a deliberate contrast to the commercial style in the previous film.
[edit] Box office
The film grossed $24,919,376 HKD[1] - big by 2003 Hong Kong standards, but only about half of what the original Infernal Affairs made.
[edit] Awards
Although Infernal Affairs II earned ten nominations for the 2003 Hong Kong Film Awards, it could not match its predecessor's success. The film won only one award, Best Original Film Song, for the song "Chang Kong" (performed by Cantopop band Beyond).
