Search - The Infernal Affairs Trilogy (Infernal Affairs 1 / Infernal Affairs 2 / Infernal Affairs 3) (Special Collector's Edition Box Set) on DVD

One third just packaging, two thirds upgrades

Flipper Campbell | Miami Florida | 02/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great to see the "Infernal Affairs" series getting some attention in the States, but it's a big disappointment that the first (and best) film in this set is the same Miramax disc that came out a few years ago. Exactly. The DVD looks good enough, but a bit flat. No doubt the images could have been vastly improved: with all that metal and glass and the high-tech toys you'd think the visuals would sparkle. The other titles are welcome upgrades, however.

As for "The Departed," just consider them different movies. I prefer "Internal Affairs" because of its originality and the surprise factor, but your mileage may vary."

Infernal Affairs Trilogy

Clinton Enlow | Kansas | 02/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So on the same day The Departed hits shelves American audiences finally recieve the original Hong Kong trilogy on DVD. So is it worth the purchase. Definitely in my opinion but don't watch it if you're interested in seeing The Departed. I like Scorsese's adaptation good enough (not enough to call it best picture of the year which it will probably walk away with {at which point does he credit the original filmmakers with his first oscar}) but watching this series before hand it took away some of the suprises that were relevant in that film.
So how are these films not compared to their American counterpart? Well the first one hits all the right notes as suprisingly slick an intelligent thriller. I don't get all of the religious ideas that the filmmakers used in writing the script but you can't deny the power of the filmmaking and writing put forth. Theres a nice back and forth and when the suprises that ruined The Departed they are rather well timed for the perfect emotional payoff. The acting is great, and I didn't even mind the comic relief from Chapman To as one of the gangsters. And to bolster the acting writing that makes the characters deeper than they'd be in a lesser film. I will also say the darker ending in which things don't go as planned for the hero also gets higher marks in my book.
Infernal Affairs II is a prequel that was made directly after the original showing how the policeman was recruited to be a mole and spy on his uncle, a mobster trying to hide his doings and avenge the murder of his father by Mob boss Sam and the soon to be police mole Ming. Theres was a lot that I loved in this film making me overlook the faults, mainly that it went on a little too long and could be overly dramatic at times. Joining the cast for this outing Carina Lau is great as wife of mob boss Sam who's the secret love of Ming and in love with Anthony Wong. And Francis Ng is just excellent as the villain of the film. This was the first film I noticed him in and I've been a fan ever since in films like The Mission or Exiled.
Infernal Affairs III. I won't say much about this one as doing so would spoil events in part one. Just to say it involves a character surviving from the first one who's deceit is driving him slowly insane. Again this film goes on too long and was melodramatic in places, but the writing was so good and the characters so interesting that in my opinion this little craveat didn't bother me as much as it would others. Excellent additions to the cast include Leon Lai as a shadowy cop who might be another triad mole, and Hero's Chen Dao Ming playing a mainland gangster who in flashbacks was scene to be setting up business with Eric Tsangs Sam and in the present is seen as shadow character whose motivations aren't known.
Anyway to wrap this up as I feel I've gone into ramble mode. This is a real good series that entertained the hell out of me. I haven't seen The Dragon Dynasty release, but everything here is good enough to warrant a look from fans of the Scorsese film are fans of Hong Kong films in general."

One is better than the other

bo_knows23 | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw the first one a few years back. I wasn't blown away by it, but thought it was a decent movie (a lot better than The Departed). After all the buzz generated by The Departed, I had to revisit Infernal Affairs and its sequels. Again, I thought Infernal Affairs is a good but not great movie after watching it the second time. Infernal Affairs 2 is a better movie in my opinion since it develop the relationships that was missing in the first one. Although the stars (Andy Lau and Tony Leung) weren't in it, Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang proves why they're two of the best actors in Hong Kong. Finally, Infernal Affairs 3 is just a masterpiece. Not so much a great movie on its own, but it binded and sealed the trilogy as my favorite trilogy of all-time perfectly with its use of flashbacks. Check out all 3. You won't be disappointed."

Best watched the way it was supposed to be watched

New York Bargain Hunter | New York NY USA | 03/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set was incredible years ago when I watched it in the order it supposed to be watched. It is sort of like Star Wars going backwards but it also makes lateral moves as well. I am not sure how the order is on these DVDs but the original one jumped around a lot. I bought the original DVDs in the order that they came out and had them imported from Hong Kong years ago and it is one of the best movies I have seen coming out of Hong Kong in a long time. I do not want to compare the departed because it is sort of a joke to copy a movie then not acknowledge it. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good crime/suspense/thinker film."