In this country, the movie 'Infernal Affairs' (trailer) has the distinction of being known more as the source material for Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winner, 'The Departed'. Like most Americans, I saw the English take before the original Hong Kong blockbuster, which also cleared up at awards ceremonies itself. I will have to admit that I have never been the biggest fan of Asian cinema -- not that I think it's bad, it's just that I have never gotten into it like, say, Mexican movies. Something about the style just never suited me. That being said, it's hard to argue that 'Infernal Affairs' is not a first-rate crime drama.
The movie is slicker and the set-up more realistic than its American cousin. Both movies share the same basic idea of an undercover cop working for in a criminal enterprise and another cop who is secretly feeding information to the same crime boss. Where Scorsese's movie takes two pretty young guys, 'Infernal Affairs' puts his guys in hiding for 10 years before the major events of the movie take place. And although Scorsese is known as one of the real masters of American film, directors Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak crafted a taunt thriller that is less bloated and more exciting with the slickness of a true eye for action. That's not to say that both are not worthy movies -- I'm no film snob wh
o refuses to acknowledge quality in 'The Departed' because I want to show I'm sophisticated and have seen the original (kind of the movie equivalent of liking a band before they became popular and "sold out"). Leonardo DiCaprio truly thrives in his movie and creates a level of psychological dilemmas and violence as its focus (instead of action) that creates a more dense tableau.Each movie is good in its own right, but to pass the movie up simply because it has subtitles would be to miss a great thriller. The action is better shot than movies you will generally see from this country and it does have the benefit of actually coming up with a great story on its own.
Grade: B+
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