When I found out there was an Infernal Affairs II, my first thought was, “Really? A sequel? Isn’t that like trying to add more water to an already perfect cup of instant noodles?” I mean, the original film wrapped up tighter than a mob boss’s alibi, so I wasn’t exactly sure what more could be said. And after seeing how Martin Scorsese did his American Idol version of the first movie with The Departed, I wasn’t sure how Infernal Affairs II could top that. You know, aside from the fact that Infernal Affairs had already topped it by existing first. But hey, when Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Alan Mak are behind the camera again, you have to give it a shot, right? So, armed with popcorn and skepticism, I dove in.
So what’s the deal with Infernal Affairs II? It’s a prequel, which means we’re getting into the origin stories of Lau Kin-ming and Chan Wing-yan, kind of like if Marvel made a gritty, street-level superhero flick set in Hong Kong. Lau, played by Edison Chen, starts his career as a mole in the police force, which is the kind of career path your high school guidance counselor never told you about. Meanwhile, Chan Wing-yan is trying to make a name for himself in the force, undercover in the Triads—because apparently, going undercover is a family tradition. Oh, and we also get to see the early days of Sam, the crime boss, and his frenemy, Inspector Wong. Think of it as The Departed: The Baby Years but, you know, good.
Now, the story here is like one of those enormous plates of nachos—you know it’s a lot to handle, but you’re going in anyway. The film takes us through the early ‘90s, when everyone was rocking questionable fashion choices and, in Hong Kong, the cops and Triads were doing a dangerous tango. The narrative is packed tighter than my jeans after a Thanksgiving dinner with betrayals, loyalty tests, and more double-crossing than a bad internet connection. Watching Sam rise to power is like watching The Godfather, but with a lot more hot pot and fewer people mumbling about “business.” And while you’re trying to keep track of who’s betraying whom, you realize that everyone’s probably betrayed someone, including the audience, because it’s just that kind of movie.
But I’m not going to sugarcoat it —- keeping up with this plot is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture while someone reads you the instructions in Swedish. Especially if you’re watching with subtitles, prepare for some serious eye strain because Infernal Affairs II loves its exposition. Characters are constantly explaining things, and if you look away for even a second, you’ll miss something crucial—like the fact that the guy you thought was good actually isn’t, and now you’re not sure who’s who anymore. It’s like one of those puzzles where every piece looks the same until you step back and realize you’ve been working on the wrong section the whole time. Despite the dialogue-heavy scenes, the film somehow manages to keep you engaged, mainly because you’re determined to figure out just what the heck is going on.
In the end, Infernal Affairs II turned out to be like that unexpected sequel that you didn’t ask for but secretly enjoyed, like when they made a second Legally Blonde. It adds layers to the first film, deepens the characters, and leaves you wanting more, kind of like that buffet you said you’d never go back to (but you know you will). Sure, it’s not as straightforward as the original, but it’s got enough grit and intrigue to keep you entertained. And now, with Infernal Affairs 3 on the horizon, I’m ready to dive back into this cinematic noodle bowl next summer —- just don’t make me explain the plot to anyone. I’ve got nachos for that.