After the impressive and much needed kick in the thriller department in the form of Infernal Affairs, the success spurred on the plan to create two more films based on the premise of the literal good cop and bad cop. The first sequel is actually the prequel to the original charting the progress, and initiation of both Yan (Shawn Yue)and Ming (Edison Chen) as moles for the police and the triads, respectively.

Being a prequel, it lacks much of the suprise or suspense of the original film, which in this case is the sequel to the second film prequel. Things get much more confusing with the third film, but I’ll save that for another review. The film also follows the wall of deceit and betrayal that leads not only the two individuals to become allies for opposite sides, but also the lives of those they come to depend on in the form of Super Intendent Won and Sam, both roles reprised by Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang.

I suppose the most interesting aspect to the film is where Yan originates from, and his links with triads before becoming an officer of the law. Ming is offered as a much more shady character than the one played by Tony Leung, and almost comes across as an irritating brat. The same is true of Yan in truth. In the deleted scenes, the two cross paths on several occassions, which I think would have ruined the logic and dynamic of the first film. In this the two are around one another, but kept apart cleverly. It doesn’t really add anything to the film itself, but it does lend the film a bit of interest in that the two were so close, perhaps, to finding out who the other was.

Direction is slow, cinematography several classes below infernal Affairs, and the plot rather lethargic and tepid

Since we already know about Ming’s background and why he does what he does, much of the film therefore focuses on the life of Yan, as well his triad family where he works undercover. The family is on the war path after the head is killed by Ming, in a complex series of conspiracies and betrayals. It’s almost as complicated as the original, but doesn’t offer the brilliance or the genius of Infernal Affairs. It’s more like a faded echo trying to emulate the original, and it’s a poorly constructed web of deceit at that.

Performances feel more labourious second time round, with neither younger interprtation of the characters offering anything like the weight of ability that Tony Leung and Andy Lau (yes, even Andy Lau I thought was excellent – shocking, I know) have in the first film. Even Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang seem to be less interesting characters, and if anything more sentimental and dull as a result. Much of the mystery and intrigue is taken out of prequels, and this is a good example of this where it isn’t beneficial. If it can ruin and epic saga the likes of Star Wars, imagine the difference on a smaller scale with the likes of Infernal Affairs II.

It’s not a very good sequel, or even a prequel, offering little return or reward for sitting through two hours of not a lot of interesting ideas. Infernal Affairs II fails to ignite any inspiration or intelligent moments like it’s former release, and it also fails enormously to truly offer a reason for a prequel. We didn’t need to know the origins of Ming and Yan in truth, because we already know the ending. Where’s the mystery in a story when you already know the ending? Had they released the prequel first, and then the original in succession then there would be a logical reason for this film and it would actually add value. Since they released the middle part of the trilogy first, which offers a better cast, better performances, and an all round higher calibre of film, then it leaves Ifernal Affairs in a chasing prequel that could never live up to the original, be of any real interest.

This prequel is a poor triad movie that only links to the original by characters. Remove the characters and this could simply be yet another Eric Tsang and Anthony Wong triad film in which they’re either cops or bad guys. It’s what they do best, and they don’t justify their ability here. It’s more of a paycheck for them, I would assume, than of substance or reasoning to star. That, and of course, the fact that being as old as they are later, being younger and offering different actors wouldn’t quite fit the mold.

I suppose the most interesting aspect to the film is where Yan originates from, and his links with triads before becoming an officer of the law

Direction is slow, cinematography several classes below infernal Affairs, and the plot rather lethargic and tepid. The minor love story and partial romance is so substandard and so obviously a way to fill the rest of the minutes that it may as well as a label appear everytime it appears saying “filler – we didnt’ know what else to do”.

A shame then as I absolutely love the original, or in this case the sequel to this prequel. But even I would have trouble appluading a tired script and lazy acting, regardless of how much I want to like it.

With nothing outstanding to talk about with regards to Inferal Affairs II, I just cannot recommend watching this. It won’t offer you anything you need to know about the back story, and will probably lead to an utter disappointment. When you think about it, the film didn’t need a prequel, and this is simply a marketing exercise to make more money. This was cemented by the fact that third film actually brings back the original cast together, with this prequel doing financially worse than the other two. An appaling and wasted release.

Verdict: A prequel that shouldn’t be, isn’t needed and offers nothing for your money. The worst of the trilogy, and awful at that