Infernal Affairs Trilogy: How to Stream or Download in BRRip 720p - 500MB MKV
Infernal Affairs 2002: A Review of the Classic Hong Kong Crime Thriller
If you are a fan of crime movies, you have probably heard of Infernal Affairs, the 2002 Hong Kong film that inspired Martin Scorsese's The Departed. But have you actually watched it? If not, you are missing out on one of the best crime thrillers ever made. In this article, I will review Infernal Affairs and explain why it is a classic that deserves your attention.
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Introduction
What is Infernal Affairs 2002?
Infernal Affairs is a 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It stars Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Kelly Chen, Sammi Cheng, and Edison Chen. It is the first installment in the Infernal Affairs trilogy, followed by two sequels in 2003 and 2004.
The film tells the story of two men who live double lives: Yan (Tony Leung), an undercover cop who infiltrates a triad gang led by Sam (Eric Tsang), and Lau (Andy Lau), a mole who works for Sam but is also a police officer. Both men are unaware of each other's existence, but they are assigned to find out who is the traitor in their respective organizations. As they get closer to the truth, they face moral dilemmas and existential crises that test their loyalty and identity.
Why is Infernal Affairs 2002 a classic?
Infernal Affairs is widely regarded as one of the best Hong Kong films ever made, and one of the finest examples of the crime genre. It has won numerous awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Film Song at the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards. It has also received critical acclaim from international critics and audiences, who praised its complex plot, realistic characters, suspenseful atmosphere, stylish cinematography, and haunting music. It has been ranked among the greatest films of all time by various publications and polls, such as Time Out, Empire, BBC, Sight & Sound, and IMDb.
Infernal Affairs is also influential in the film industry. It spawned two sequels that explore the backstory and aftermath of the main story. It also inspired several remakes and adaptations in other countries, such as The Departed (2006) in the United States, Evaru (2019) in India, The Unholy War (2019) in South Korea, and Mou gaan dou (2020) in China. Moreover, it has influenced many other filmmakers and genres, such as Johnnie To's Election series (2005-2006), Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008), and David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011).
What are the main themes and messages of Infernal Affairs 2002?
Infernal Affairs explores various themes and messages that resonate with contemporary society and human nature. Some of these themes are:
Identity: The film examines how one's identity is shaped by one's choices, actions, and circumstances. Both Yan and Lau struggle with their dual identities as cops and criminals. They question who they really are and what they really want. They also face identity crises when they realize that they have more in common with their enemies than their allies.
Loyalty: The film questions how far one can go to remain loyal to one's cause, organization, or person. Both Yan and Lau have to balance their loyalty to their bosses (Sam and Wong) with their loyalty to their colleagues (the triad members and the police officers). They also have to deal with betrayal from within their ranks. They wonder if loyalty is worth sacrificing one's morals or life.
Fate: The film suggests that fate plays a role in one's destiny. Both Yan and Lau are chosen by their bosses to be undercover agents at a young age. They are bound by fate to cross paths and confront each other. They also encounter coincidences and twists that affect their outcomes. They wonder if fate can be changed or escaped.
Morality: The film challenges the conventional notions of good and evil. Both Yan and Lau blur the lines between right and wrong. They commit crimes or cover up crimes for their missions. They also show compassion or remorse for their actions or victims. They question if morality is relative or absolute.
Honor: The film contrasts the different codes of honor among different groups or individuals. Both Yan and Lau follow different rules or principles that guide their behavior. They also respect or admire different values or qualities that define their honor. They question if honor is subjective or objective.
Plot Summary
The Prologue: The Undercover and the Mole
The film begins with a flashback to 1991, when Sam recruits young triad members to join his gang. He selects one of them, Lau Kin-ming (Edison Chen), to be his mole in the police force. He sends him to join the police academy and become a police officer.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Wong Chi-shing (Anthony Wong) selects another cadet, Chan Wing-yan (Shawn Yue), to be his undercover agent in Sam's gang. He expels him from the academy and sends him to prison to gain Sam's trust.
The film then jumps to 2002, when both Yan (Tony Leung) and Lau (Andy Lau) have risen in their respective ranks. Yan is now Sam's trusted lieutenant who handles his drug deals. Lau is now an inspector who works under Wong in the Internal Affairs Unit.
The Main Story: The Cat-and-Mouse Game
The main story begins when Wong assigns Lau to lead an operation to bust Sam's drug deal at a warehouse. However, Sam learns about the operation from Lau beforehand and escapes with his men. Wong realizes that there is a mole in his unit who tipped off Sam.
Lau contacts Sam after the failed operation and tells him that he will find out who is the undercover agent in his gang. He uses his police resources to track down Yan's identity through his phone number.
Yan contacts Wong after the failed operation and tells him that he will find out who is the mole in his unit. He uses his triad connections to track down Lau's identity through his car plate number.
Lau and Yan both discover each other's identities at almost the same time. They both try to expose each other without revealing themselves.
Lau tries to kill Yan by sending assassins to his apartment. Yan escapes but loses contact with Wong.
Lau tries to frame Yan by planting evidence that he killed another triad member who was also an undercover agent for Wong.
Lau tries to lure Yan out by arranging a meeting with him at a cinema under Wong's name.
Lau tries to arrest Yan by leading a police raid at Sam's headquarters where Yan is meeting with him.
The Climax: The Rooftop Confrontation
The climax of the film occurs when Yan and Lau finally face each other on the rooftop of Sam's headquarters. They are both armed and ready to shoot each other. However, before they can pull the trigger, Wong arrives and tries to stop them. He reveals that he is the one who sent both of them undercover and that he has been protecting them all along. He urges them to drop their guns and end their missions.
However, Sam also arrives and shoots Wong in the head, killing him. He then points his gun at Yan and Lau and asks them who is the mole and who is the undercover. Yan admits that he is the undercover and tells Lau to shoot Sam. Lau hesitates but eventually shoots Sam in the chest, killing him. He then tells Yan that he is the mole and asks him to spare his life.
Yan agrees to let Lau go and tells him to erase his identity as an undercover agent from the police records. He also tells him to live a good life and forget about him. He then walks away from the rooftop.
The Epilogue: The Aftermath
The epilogue of the film shows the aftermath of the rooftop confrontation. Lau erases Yan's identity as an undercover agent from the police records and replaces it with his own. He also deletes Sam's phone records that link him to the mole. He then attends Wong's funeral and receives a medal of honor for his service.
Yan meets with his psychiatrist girlfriend, Dr. Lee Sum-yee (Kelly Chen), who is also Wong's daughter. He tells her that he has quit his undercover job and that he wants to start a new life with her. He also gives her a CD that contains a recording of his last conversation with Wong on the rooftop.
However, as they are leaving the building, they are ambushed by another triad member who works for Sam's rival, Ngai (Chapman To). He shoots Yan in the head, killing him. He then flees from the scene.
Lau hears the gunshot and rushes to the scene. He sees Yan's dead body and Lee's shocked expression. He realizes that he has lost his chance to redeem himself and that he will always be haunted by his guilt. He also realizes that Yan was a better person than him and that he deserved a better fate.
Analysis
The Characters and Their Motivations
Yan: The Undercover Cop with a Crisis of Identity
Yan is the protagonist of the film. He is an undercover cop who has been working for Sam's gang for 10 years. He is a loyal, brave, and smart agent who has earned Sam's trust and respect. However, he is also a lonely, depressed, and conflicted person who has lost his sense of self and purpose. He suffers from a crisis of identity as he does not know if he belongs to the police or the triad.
Yan's motivation is to end his undercover mission and return to his normal life as a cop. He wants to be recognized for his sacrifice and contribution by Wong and the police force. He also wants to be free from his double life and find happiness with Lee.
Lau: The Mole with a Guilty Conscience
Lau is the antagonist of the film. He is a mole who works for Sam but is also a police officer. He is a successful, ambitious, and cunning officer who has risen in his career and gained Wong's trust and admiration. However, he is also a dishonest, greedy, and ruthless person who has betrayed his oath and colleagues. He suffers from a guilty conscience as he knows that he is doing wrong but cannot stop.
Lau's motivation is to protect his secret identity as a mole and maintain his status as a police officer. He wants to avoid being exposed by Yan or Wong and escape from Sam's control. He also wants to justify his actions by convincing himself that he is doing it for a good cause or a better future.
Sam: The Ruthless Triad Boss with a Sense of Honor
Sam is the secondary antagonist of the film. He is the triad boss who leads a powerful gang in Hong Kong. He is a ruthless, violent, and cunning leader who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals and eliminate his enemies. However, he is also a loyal, generous, and honorable person who cares for his men and respects his rivals.
Sam's motivation is to expand his territory and business in Hong Kong. He wants to defeat Ngai and other competitors and become the king of the underworld. He also wants to find out who is the undercover agent in his gang and get rid of him.
Wong: The Wise Police Superintendent with a Secret Plan
and Lau as his undercover agents without their consent or knowledge. He has a secret plan to expose Sam and Lau and end the triad's influence.
Wong's motivation is to uphold justice and order in Hong Kong. He wants to catch Sam and Lau and bring them to justice. He also wants to protect Yan and Lau and help them return to their normal lives.
The Cinematography and the Music
The Use of Colors and Lighting
The film uses colors and lighting to create contrast and mood. The film mainly uses two colors: blue and orange. Blue represents the police and the law, while orange represents the triad and the crime. The film also uses different shades of these colors to indicate different emotions or situations. For example, dark blue represents sadness or danger, while light blue represents calmness or hope. Dark orange represents violence or anger, while light orange represents warmth or happiness.
The film also uses lighting to create contrast and mood. The film mainly uses two types of lighting: natural and artificial. Natural lighting represents reality and truth, while artificial lighting represents illusion and deception. The film also uses different sources of these lighting to indicate different locations or characters. For example, sunlight represents the outside world and Wong, while neon lights represent the underworld and Sam.
The Use of Camera Angles and Shots
The film uses camera angles and shots to create tension and perspective. The film mainly uses two types of camera angles: high and low. High angles represent dominance and power, while low angles represent vulnerability and weakness. The film also uses different types of shots to indicate different distances or relationships. For example, close-ups represent intimacy or emotion, while long shots represent isolation or detachment.
The Use of Soundtrack and Score
The film uses soundtrack and score to create atmosphere and emotion. The film mainly uses two types of music: songs and instrumental. Songs represent the characters' personalities and feelings, while instrumental represent the plot's development and mood. The film also uses different genres of music to indicate different cultures or influences. For example, Cantonese pop songs represent Hong Kong's local culture and Yan's identity, while Western classical music represents Hong Kong's colonial history and Lau's aspiration.
Conclusion
Why You Should Watch Infernal Affairs 2002
In conclusion, Infernal Affairs is a masterpiece of the crime genre that deserves your attention. It is a film that offers a gripping story, realistic characters, suspenseful atmosphere, stylish cinematography, and haunting music. It is a film that explores various themes and messages that resonate with contemporary society and human nature. It is a film that challenges your expectations, emotions, and morals.
If you are looking for a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, make you think deeply, and touch your heart, Infernal Affairs is the film for you.
FAQs
Q: What does the title Infernal Affairs mean?
A: The title Infernal Affairs is a pun on the term "internal affairs", which refers to the police unit that investigates corruption within the police force. It also refers to the Buddhist concept of "infernal affairs", which means the cycle of suffering in hell due to one's karma.
Q: What is the difference between Infernal Affairs and The Departed?
A: The Departed is a 2006 American remake of Infernal Affairs, directed by Martin Scorsese. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin, and Anthony Anderson. It is set in Boston instead of Hong Kong, and involves the Irish mob instead of the triad. It also has some changes in the plot, characters, themes, and ending.
Q: What are some other films similar to Infernal Affairs?
A: Some other films similar to Infernal Affairs are The Usual Suspects (1995), L.A. Confidential (1997), Memento (2000), Oldboy (2003), The Lives of Others (2006), No Country for Old Men (2007), Gone Girl (2014), Sicario (2015), The Invisible Guest (2016), and Burning (2018).
Q: Where can I watch Infernal Affairs?
A: You can watch Infernal Affairs on various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube Movies, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes Movies & TV Shows.
Q: How can I learn more about Infernal Affairs?
A: You can learn more about Infernal Affairs by reading its Wikipedia page , IMDb page , Rotten Tomatoes page , Metacritic page , or Roger Ebert's review . You can also watch its trailer , behind-the-scenes footage , interviews , or commentary . You can also join its fan community on Reddit , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , or YouTube .