Even if I was given a week to consider my verdict, I'm certain that I'd come up with the same answer: 'Infernal Affairs' is the best crime movie of the past 40 years; the best gangster movie since the first Godfather movie. 'Election: Volume 2' deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as 'Infernal Affairs'; it really is that good. It's never going to displace 'IA' in my affections, but in the way that you come to recognise great movies on a first viewing, I know its appeal will endure and not diminish. And, in contrast to the Godfather series with which it might be compared, this 'sequel' is far superior to the first movie.I wasn't a huge fan of the first movie: it was just too much about style and ritual, and bore too much of a Kitano influence in its alternation of serenity and violence; but I did see enough in it to want to investigate Johnnie To further, even if - after the massive disappointment of the 'Infernal Affairs' sequels - I was reluctant to risk viewing another failed Hong Kong crime movie sequel. But this one was a joy, right from the get-go. Given its pace, I decided not to overly concern myself with plot complexities and especially who's doing what to whom: the introductory scene - despite the number of 'interests' present - was set up in such a way that I knew there was really only one character I needed to focus on: a young, charming, and ambitious businessman whose rise had been facilitated by Triad gang membership, but who was now looking to expand his horizons. It's called 'setting your stall out' - both character and film-maker.The settings are mostly recognizable and familiar to fans of such as 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas', not to mention its predecessor, and - to a certain extent - the great Melville: the quiet, lyrical scenes and locations, the domestic scenes, the triad summit meetings, the nightclubs; and then there's the dialogue: threats - implied and expressed; or ambitions and concerns expressed; plus the occasional burst of savage violence, just in case the messages hadn't 'gotten through'. And the importance of loyalty. All of which might suggest an excess of reverence and homage, or even the dreaded pastiche - but not a bit of it. Maybe it was more a case of To setting his sights high - and in a Daedalus, and in no way an Icarus way - and wanting to be judged alongside those more epic films, because he knew how good the story he had to tell was.Because its shorter than either of the aforementioned Masterpieces - and less ambitious - it might be considered a lesser film, but I'm having none of it, because there's not one milligram of flab here, and it tells all the story it needs to tell, and tells it well. And its the pacing, the editing,the choreography, the moulding of a succession of scenes into a satisfying whole. It's not even so much the ending, because I could see that coming from a mile away; it's just that everything fits in the way you wanted it to fit, and not in a seen-it-all-before kind of way. It's just perfect, and I can't wait to watch it again.

This film doesn't take half measures that's for sure. It's time to elect a new chairman again amongst the triad world, and the baton by tradition has to pass on. Our lead from the original is reluctant to hand it over, and is playing off people to secure a second term. On the other hand is the initially reluctant Jimmy who claims to want to distance himself from his gangster linked past but to secure business access into the mainland, he becomes brutal and merciless to become the newly elected leader for his own "business" purposes.I enjoyed this more than the first. It's quite a difficult film to follow at times with some references to the original plus a large multitude of characters. There are various threads through the movie and if you give it time you will find it engrossing. Tense at times with violence always not far off, it doesn't let up. There are too many nods to "Infernal Affairs" with many of the same actors and some parts which seem to pay homage to it. In fairness, can't always be 100% original, and this film is not a rip at all.Acting is fine but camera work doesn't have anything special. There was scope to have some incredible filming here with some of the locations and actors, but it doesn't seem to have been a priority, which is a shame.A good film with some intriguing plot lines, and if you're into gangster films then you'll find this a good addition to the HK genre.

On the surface the two Election movies are simple stories about the election of the Chairman of an organized crime syndicate in Hong Kong. The concerns of the lead characters are simple/primal - greed, power, money - all the expected elements and the predictable Hong Kong gangster cinema trademark - people sitting at a table drinking, eating and very casually suggesting that a lot of people are going to be dead by the time this flick gets over.Johnnie To's trick is to play with the dichotomy of the characters, to flush them out in such a way that you find yourself projected in them. You'll find Jimmy (the lead who's contesting the election) trying hard to read the names of Mandarin dishes in a restaurant much to the amusement of his wife and the waiter, and the current Chairman Lok's concern about the bad company his school going son keeps. Normal. Thenn the very same characters would do anything to get what they want. You will see Jimmy hacking a Lok loyalist limb by limb while Lok simply pushes Uncle Teng down the stairs and smiles. Threatening and foreboding permeates the movie mainly because ordinary people you can identify with are capable of extremities which even they weren't aware of.This is not a Tarantino flick - no one comes up with smart slang-ed retorts and refers to the Bible, you won't see blood and gore splattered on the screen and yet its more menacing, hideous and violent.

Given local election fever, it's somewhat apt that this movie gets its release during this period. Sort of a tongue-in-cheek tie in with the local political environment. I was filled with a whole lot of skepticism when other local reviewers from the mainstream media started to laud this movie with fantastic ratings. While the original movie had won plenty of awards, the bastardized politically correct version that was shown here, did not do it any honours.However, I was still game to see how this movie panned out, and to my surprise, it met my expectation of a good triad movie. You can actually forget that you've watched the politically correct version, and enjoy this movie as it's meant to be. But for those who have not watched the first movie, fret not, you'll be up to speed within 10 minutes, though you might grapple with certain scenes and characters.Suffice to know that the Wo Shing Society undergoes leadership changes every 2 years in a democratic manner, and current leader Lok (Simon Yam) will have its term completed soon. However, he becomes, as we learn towards the end of the first movie, power hungry, and demonstrates the character change which was missed in the original bastardized version.Lok has to select a potential candidate amongst his 5 godsons, and Jimmy (Louis Koo) presented the best option as the one who has the smarts for raking in new business for the Society. However, his interest is only in making money, initially that is, until he's seduced by the fact that with power, the mainland Chinese will give him more respect, and with that, the potential for more business.The movie becomes similar to the original's scheming and plotting to gain the upper hand, in the run up to the election for the next leader. The focus here is on Jimmy, and his grand scheme to push himself to the forefront of the elections. It's classic "black eats black" plotting for power, title and money.The much touted violence, can rival some of those that Hollywood churns out. Rarely panning away, the camera captures and at times teases with the blood splatters, spurts and stains, what with equipment like sledge hammers, hammers (somehow the weapon of choice), and, get this, a meat grinder. Many in the audience squirmed, and it's a tad uncomfortable watching the dismemberment of a full human body.It may seem a little ordinary given the recycled storyline of triad power struggles, but what lifts this movie is the last 15 minutes, where the revelation sets in. You'll see who's actually playing who, and rings home the thought of being careful what you wish for. Squabbling over scraps and neglecting the bigger picture and threat, will always prove to be fatal, as there are always vultures waiting in the wings. It's ironic that for all the election is worth, it degenerates, not within choice, to the installation of a puppet like figure. To the authorities, corrupt or sly, whichever way you look at it, it's always advantageous to have a known evil, rather than an unknown one.I really recommend this movie, at long last, a decent triad movie with a finale that will really distinguish this amongst others in the genre. One more thing too, I also dig the very powerful theme song with the guitars and drum beats. Really brings out the tension and the mood.