Revolutionary cop thriller Infernal Affairs and its clever prequel Infernal Affairs II have profoundly changed Hongkong cinema two decades ago. The scriptwriters, directors and cast decided once more to capitalize on the success of the two predecessors to present a nervously twisted third film that is prequel and sequel at the same time. As a prequel, it gives us more information about the two moles and their challenging everyday lives. As a sequel, this film shows how the surviving mole tries to cut loose ends by eliminating all other moles while he gets caught up in his own web of lies as the internal affairs department is investigating him while his wife plans on divorcing him.
This movie's most significant flaw is that it doesn't seem to know what it wants to be and ends up being too many things at the same time. The sudden changes from past to present prevent this film from having any flow whatsoever. This film feels dull, exhausting and overtly long.
To be fair, a few segments are rather interesting. For instance, the relationship between the mole who has infiltrated the triads and his resilient psychologist convinces with brilliant acting and slow burn romance that becomes quite palpable towards the climax. This movie also has a satisfactory climax as the mole working in the police department decides to see his plans to cut loose ends through by any means necessary.
Many characters who have carried the two predecessors are only side notes in this film. Tony Leung's character is reduced to a closed-minded, tight-lipped and childishly romantic sidekick. Eric Tseng's wonderful character is shown as conflicted mobster who has lost most of its charisma. Most remarkably, Andy Lau's character who was always cool, prepared and quick in the predecessors loses touch with reality and runs amok which seems to be completely out of character. The filmmakers tried to introduced quite a few surprising changes but they feel pulled out of thin air and are simply not believable.
At the end of the day, avoid yourself the trouble to sit through Infernal Affairs III that overall lacks too much in quality to convince from start to finish. Discover this franchise with the excellent second instalment and continue with the groundbreaking first film but ignore this third part entirely. This episodic psychological drama feels like a dizzying rollercoaster ride that overstays its welcome.
This movie's most significant flaw is that it doesn't seem to know what it wants to be and ends up being too many things at the same time. The sudden changes from past to present prevent this film from having any flow whatsoever. This film feels dull, exhausting and overtly long.
To be fair, a few segments are rather interesting. For instance, the relationship between the mole who has infiltrated the triads and his resilient psychologist convinces with brilliant acting and slow burn romance that becomes quite palpable towards the climax. This movie also has a satisfactory climax as the mole working in the police department decides to see his plans to cut loose ends through by any means necessary.
Many characters who have carried the two predecessors are only side notes in this film. Tony Leung's character is reduced to a closed-minded, tight-lipped and childishly romantic sidekick. Eric Tseng's wonderful character is shown as conflicted mobster who has lost most of its charisma. Most remarkably, Andy Lau's character who was always cool, prepared and quick in the predecessors loses touch with reality and runs amok which seems to be completely out of character. The filmmakers tried to introduced quite a few surprising changes but they feel pulled out of thin air and are simply not believable.
At the end of the day, avoid yourself the trouble to sit through Infernal Affairs III that overall lacks too much in quality to convince from start to finish. Discover this franchise with the excellent second instalment and continue with the groundbreaking first film but ignore this third part entirely. This episodic psychological drama feels like a dizzying rollercoaster ride that overstays its welcome.