An affair to remember

The first Infernal Affairs (2002) was an intricate Hong Kong thriller that became a cult film in the West as well as a huge success in the East. This is a prequel, hastily assembled by the same directors (Andrew Lau and Alan Mak) but without its two superstars (Tony Leung and Andy Lau). They originally played the undercover cop in the triads and the mob informer at police headquarters, and it was in part their performances which gave the movie its bite.

But no matter. Shawn Yue and Edison Chen step into their shoes more than decently in less prominent parts. What's more, Infernal Affairs II possesses so brilliant a surface and so sensuous an atmosphere that one wonders how Martin Scorsese can improve on it in a forthcoming American version. The cracks appear when you see the directors' melodramatic technique a second time round, but you go along with them because of the myriad small details that distinguish this elaborate and complicated thriller.

The story anticipates the action of the first film but contains some new characters, such as Francis Ng, marvellous as Hong Kong's latterday Godfather, who assumes control of the family firm when his father is murdered. Honour among thieves and the deadly pursuit of criminal loot is what this film is about.

Infernal Affairs II
Cert: cert15