[KFCC] Infernal Affairs III Review

Story: Ten months after Yan’s death, the bloodbath that took place in the elevator is closed with the conclusion that Ming successfully took out the triad’s mole. With no further questions, he is reassigned to office work.

During this time, SP Yeung returns to the scene after a hiatus due to an office stand-off with a colleague. With him, he brought speculation that there were still moles left within the police force. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect is that he or she may possibly be a lieutenant, hell-bent on wiping out every last mole in the force to save himself.

Ming already suspects Yeung of being the undercover mole and pursues him like a predator on his prey. In the midst of these events, one of Sam’s associates from the past, Shen, reappears. The final conclusion to this powerhouse trilogy lies within the past, where Sam, Yan, and SP Wong are still in the unraveling game of infernal affairs.

Review: Before anything is said about the movie, I have to say that it is a damn shame Andy Lau’s character wasn’t given more screen time and devotion in ‘Infernal Affairs 3.’ Back when both he and Tony Leung were nominated for the Hong Kong Best Actor Award, he lost it to his co-star. Even though Andy delivered a career best, it was obvious that Tony had the superior performance. ‘IA 3’ should’ve been the film to nourish Andy Lau’s character, but low and behold, he is once again upstaged (this time not only by Tony Leung, but Leon Lai and Daoming Chen). With his character unraveling in a quest for redemption, Andy Lau once again delivered a stellar performance. But in the end, the constant flashbacks and the introduction of new characters downplayed his achievements. In the 2004 Hong Kong Awards, he didn’t even manage to grab a nomination for his portrayal of Ming (but he did get nominated for ‘Running on Karma’). Regardless, without Andy Lau, ‘Infernal Affairs’ wouldn’t be what it is today.

Star power was the original drawing force to the original ‘IA.’ With a Hong Kong dream cast, the story almost took a backseat to the story. The star power was still there for ‘IA 2,’ but the spotlight was shifted onto the plot. With most of the character’s already established, part two could focus on crafting an intriguing story to add on to the previous. ‘IA 3’ almost overdoses on star power. Rather than acting as a distraction of the overall plot, these new characters only enrich the saga. Leon Lai portrays the stoic and intimidating Yeung to perfection. Every facial movement he makes conceals hidden intentions and brings out a menacing glow. Daoming Chen struts around like the story IS him. He grabs every scene and slaps it around into submission. Whether it’s for two seconds or twenty minutes, he makes his presence felt. As for the original cast, they return with the panache that made them so appealing before, but also adding a new flare to give their character a new dimension. It’s safe to say that you won’t ever see another ensemble as grand, polished, impeccable, and exquisite as this one.

The plot of ‘IA 3’ is quite basic, but the information and revelations it provides is mind-shattering. Through the events of the past, the truth behind the events of the present are exposed. The film proceeds in regular time, and then jumps back in time to annex the impact of the present. With the constant shifts in the story’s timeline, the casual viewer may be turned off. It seems like the writers had a more ambitious vision for the ‘IA 1,’ but with certain boundaries, ended up pouring the rest of their creative energy into the script of ‘IA 3.’ The result is two story lines that don’t come together until the very end. In a way, it keeps your mind constantly thinking until the credits roll. This is a very demanding request upon the viewer, but the reward is more than worth it.

‘IA 3’ is essentially about Ming’s spiral into hell. With all the gloom and calamity, it was only right to have the tone of the film follow suite. ‘IA 3’ exhibits a more soft and claustrophobic feel. At night, the city becomes disturbingly somber and at day, the clouds scorch the sky. Ming looms in his own office in solitude, patiently watching over Yeung. The overall tone may be tranquil, but you can feel that this is just the calm before the storm. When the mess hits the fan, it REALLY hits the fan. Contrasting with the majority of the film, the effect of these scenes is immensely augmented and thus, making them all the more powerful.

2003 was a year chockfull of closing chapters. With ‘The Matrix’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ wrapping up their stories, I consider ‘Infernal Affairs III’ to be the most satisfying finale. Not only does it manage to tie up the storyline line beautifully, but it also provides a whole new perspective to the original film. There is no doubt about it, the ‘Infernal Affairs’ series has become a landmark achievement in the world of Hong Kong cinema. ‘IA 1’ was a diamond in the rough during a time of painful romantic comedies and formulaic triad films that plagued the Hong Kong film scene. With it, it brought a whole new standard for filmmaking that Hong Kong films should follow. With ‘IA 2,’ it showed that sequels didn’t have to follow their predecessor by rehashing the basic premise. Instead, it could have an engaging storyline that both expanded the original story and provided new insights. ‘IA 3’ continues the fine tradition and exquisitely wraps up the saga of redemption and retribution. Do yourself a favor and witness the triumph of the ‘Infernal Affairs’ series. You won’t regret it.