Infernal Affairs

The title makes it sound like a direct-to-video porno flick. But it's not. It's a Chinese movie about corrupt cops and undercover cops, etc.

If this was American, it WOULD be going straight to video, with Michael Dudikoff and Dolph Lundgren in the lead roles. But, because it is subtitled, it has a fighting chance in the arthouse scene.

Does it deserve any attention? Well, for a movie that should be action packed, shot in dirty alleyways and empty warehouses, it's full of tiring melodrama and tedium.

The story is this: two cops - one undercover, one dirty - are working on opposite sides and don't realize each other's existence. A big drug dealer is planning, well, a big drug deal. And because of these two cops, things are thrown into confusion - i.e. plot development. We've seen this a zillion times and it's not something that stands out.

Despite skilful, bleak photography and an unusually downbeat ending, Infernal Affairs is rather boring and uneventful. It takes forever to come to a satisfying climax and there are far too many fades in and out towards the finale, teasing us into thinking that the end to this dull story is nigh. Truly, it tests the patience. And The Gator isn't known for his patience. Still, he stayed to the bitter and all he can say is, it's a fair movie.

If average Chinese actioners are your thang, then go right ahead. There are much better films out there, deserving of your time.

I can't really recommend it. I prefer Chinese food.