Culture Magazine

Franchise Weekend – Infernal Affairs III (2003)

By Newguy

infernalDirector: Wai-Keung Lau, Alan Mak

Writer: Alex Mak, Felix Chong (Screenplay)

Starring: Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Daoming Chen, Kelly Chen, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Sammi Cheng

Plot: 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.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Lacklustre Conclusion to the Saga

Story: Infernal Affairs III starts by splitting the stories in two, first we follow Yan (Leung) before his death in the first film as he deals with the gang trying to uncover the mole, while we also follow Inspector Lau (Lau) as he gets cleared of any wrongful in the death of Yan and his life after what happened in that day, where discovered he wasn’t the only mole within the police department.

We follow as Lau is trying to uncover the rest of the moles in the department while Yan continues to rise up the organisation with both clashing with Yeung (Lai) in their different time periods, but just who is he really working for that is the question being asked here.

Infernal Affairs III really enters into the realm of confusion with the final part of the story, jumping between the two times doesn’t help and the only way I could really understand what happened is to remember two other characters from The Departed which did seem to piece together the final outcome. If you were to see this film without any information you would finds yourself lost through this film.

Actor Review

Tony Leung: Chan Wing Yan is the man who is undercover with the gangs, he has just started to make a name for himself as he goes to climbs the ladders but we also get to learn more about his time in therapy to make sure he stays on the right path. Tony is good in this role returning to his original role.

Andy Lau: Inspector Lau Kin Ming is the lone survivor after the events of the first film, he now wants to uncover the rest of the moles in the department believing that there are in fact multiply ones with one trying to pick off the rest. Andy returns and gives a good performance throughout.

Leon Lai: SP Yeung Kam Wing is the man in the department taking over from Lau after he gets promoted to internal affairs, Lau believes he is in fact a mole himself and the two go into battle against each other to uncover the truth. Leon is a good addition to the films who adds enough mystery.

Daoming Chen: Inspector Shen Chen is the current crime leader that Yan has to answer to, he is keeping everything in order as we see Sam waiting for him to fall. Daoming is a good addition as we learn who his character is in the final act.

Support Cast: Infernal Affairs III has the same supporting cast as previous outing which all go very well throughout.

Director Review: Wai-Keung Lau, Alan MakThe pair finish their saga well even if it is slightly confusing in places.

Action: Infernal Affairs III has solid action when needed but doesn’t go over the top for it.

Crime: Infernal Affairs III continues to show the crime story going on in the world created.

Thriller: Infernal Affairs III keeps you wonder to what is happening through the film.

Settings: Infernal Affairs III uses the settings well again which you would expect from this saga.

Suggestion: Infernal Affairs III is one to watch to finish the saga off really. (Watch)

Best Part: Once you figure it out it is good.

Worst Part: Confusing at start.

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes

Overall: Tidy conclusion to the saga even if it has confusing moments.

Rating

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