"Infernal Affairs 2" was a completely unnecessary prequel to the fantastic Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs". While the story is quite good, it suffers in many ways. First, the two leads from the original film are not in this film (though many of the other actors are). Second, because you've already seen "Infernal Affairs" there is no sense of suspense and you KNOW how the big battle between the mob bosses must end. And, third, it does nothing to further the story from the first film---just fill in some missing pieces that were just as well left missing.
This story picks up as the two leads from the first film, Inspector Lau Kin Ming and Chen Yan, enter the academy. However, Inspector Lau Kin Ming is NOT a major player in the film at all...he's there in a few scenes but not much more. Instead, it follows the path of Chen through the mob and shows the big shakeup that leaves Hon Sam in charge (as he was in the first film). The only really interesting element is how Superintendent Wong Chi Shing mistakenly thought he could work with Hon Sam....something he'd regret by the end of the film.
So, you have an interesting story that is completely unnecessary if you've seen the previous film (which almost all viewers probably have). It's well written and an interesting gangster saga....but I can't see how it was necessary for anything other than to suck more money out of the public who loved the first film. Perhaps I'll think more of the third film, as it picks up just after the first--a much more logical place to begin.
This story picks up as the two leads from the first film, Inspector Lau Kin Ming and Chen Yan, enter the academy. However, Inspector Lau Kin Ming is NOT a major player in the film at all...he's there in a few scenes but not much more. Instead, it follows the path of Chen through the mob and shows the big shakeup that leaves Hon Sam in charge (as he was in the first film). The only really interesting element is how Superintendent Wong Chi Shing mistakenly thought he could work with Hon Sam....something he'd regret by the end of the film.
So, you have an interesting story that is completely unnecessary if you've seen the previous film (which almost all viewers probably have). It's well written and an interesting gangster saga....but I can't see how it was necessary for anything other than to suck more money out of the public who loved the first film. Perhaps I'll think more of the third film, as it picks up just after the first--a much more logical place to begin.