Vastly overrated, INFERNAL AFFAIRS is the kind of film that deserves all of the recognition it gets for the acting ... but, in the story department, the film is arguably deficient. The story of a crime lord using cops as 'moles' has been explored hundreds of times, and the film is really little more than variations of a theme. Why so many critics have been duped into thinking this an original "and never explored idea" continues to confound this viewer.
However, anyone deserving additional praise is Andy Lau, as the criminal mole serving within the police force. Lau has been showcased in many Hong Kong actioners as of late, but here, his reserve -- the visible mental debates about whether or not he's truly serving the right side -- give this picture its spine. While many great Hong Kong faces can be recognized in the cast, Lau proves -- once and for all -- that he's a formidable presence in this formula cop picture.
However, anyone deserving additional praise is Andy Lau, as the criminal mole serving within the police force. Lau has been showcased in many Hong Kong actioners as of late, but here, his reserve -- the visible mental debates about whether or not he's truly serving the right side -- give this picture its spine. While many great Hong Kong faces can be recognized in the cast, Lau proves -- once and for all -- that he's a formidable presence in this formula cop picture.