The success of "Infernal Affairs" is the success of Hong Kong filmmakers from the commercial point of view. Whether it is in terms of perspective, characterization, or narrative skills, it has a certain spirit, and "Infernal Affairs 2" is even more than its predecessor, a step further, a breakthrough The limitations of the previous work have raised the pattern to an epic level.
"Infernal Affairs 2" actually has a lot of pressure on creation. The characters and layout of the previous work have gone to a certain extent. How to go further is a big problem. However, the director cleverly used the ten-year undercover period of Chen Yongren and Liu Jianming, the two main protagonists in "Infernal Affairs", to write a prequel and reshape the way the characters took shape.
Liu Weiqiang's photography techniques have also improved a lot compared to the previous episode. He seems to be much more confident because of the success of the first episode. The scene scheduling of the six-minute monologue in the opening scene is just right. The parallel montage of the classic scene (Ni Yongxiao killing the four major families and Han Chen's attack), the time-space transition in this section is bright and lively. The lyrical and narrative scene with the same purpose (the third uncle playing the harmonica) is also a stroke of genius. The scheduling of the big scene (Ni Yongxiao's two food stall scenes) is concise and powerful, and there is also the dramatic tension of static braking. Liu Weiqiang flexibly updated many of his best skills (hand-held photography, deep focus and push-track lenses, and the use of natural light and neon light), surpassing his "Young and Dangerous" series, which was also a photographer, and transforming gangster films. The exaggeration, combined with the long-lost sense of reality. This scene-first camera angle has only begun to mature in this film.
In terms of screenwriting, Zhuang Wenqiang and Mak Zhaohui also described many characters. In the multi-line staggered pattern, there is still a strong performance space for actors to play, especially when they accommodated Huang Qiusheng, Wu Zhenyu and Zeng Zhiwei at one time. Extremely different Even Zhang Yaoyang, Liao Qizhi, Du Wenze, the three green leaves, also had thousands of performances. This kind of performance effect of actors blooming with a hundred flowers is extremely difficult, and it is really a textbook-level case of choreography.
What's more interesting is that "Infernal Affairs 2" has surpassed the previous episode, elevating the double undercover torment of "Infernal Affairs" to an epic theme, turning into an identity crisis (the police's gangster blood) and a change of dynasty (Han Chen and Han Chen) Ni Yongxiao's life and death, the double revelation of Hong Kong's return).
View more about Infernal Affairs II reviews
