''Infernal Affairs II'' is a 2003 Hong Kong
crime drama film directed by
Andrew Lau
Andrew Lau Wai-keung ( zh, t=劉偉強, born 4 April 1960) is a Hong Kong film director, producer, and cinematographer. Lau began his career in the 1980s and 1990s, serving as a cinematographer to filmmakers such as Ringo Lam, Wong Jing and ...
and
Alan Mak. It is a
prequel
A prequel is a literary, dramatic or cinematic work whose story precedes that of a previous work, by focusing on events that occur before the original narrative. A prequel is a work that forms part of a backstory to the preceding work.
The term ...
to the 2002 film ''
Infernal Affairs
''Infernal Affairs'' () is a 2002 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak (director), Alan Mak from a screenplay written by Mak and Felix Chong. The film stars Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong ( ...
''.
Anthony Wong,
Eric Tsang
Eric Tsang Chi-wai ( zh, t=曾志偉; born 14 April 1953) is a Hong Kong actor, film director, producer, and television host, best known for hosting the variety show ''Super Trio series'' on the Hong Kong television network Television Broadcasts ...
,
Edison Chen,
Shawn Yue and
Chapman To
Chapman To (, born 8 June 1972), born Edward Ng Cheuk-cheung (), is a Hong Kong-Taiwanese actor. He is best known for his roles in films such as ''Infernal Affairs'' and ''Initial D (film), Initial D''. He is also the founder of his own multimedia ...
reprise their roles from the original film alongside new cast members
Carina Lau
Carina Lau Kar-ling ( zh, t=劉嘉玲; born 8 December 1965) is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She started her acting career at TVB, before achieving success with her Girl next door, girl-next-door roles in the 1980s' Hong Kong films. She also pl ...
,
Francis Ng,
Hu Jun and
Roy Cheung. Neither
Andy Lau
Andy Lau Tak-wah ( zh, order=t,j, t=劉德華, j=Lau4 Dak1 Waa4; born Lau Fook-wing; 27 September 1961), is a Hong Kong actor, singer-songwriter and film producer. He was named the "Fourth Tiger" among the Five Tiger Generals of TVB in the 1 ...
nor
Tony Leung, who played the central roles in the original, appear in this film as they are replaced by their younger versions portrayed by Chen and Yue respectively. The events of the film take place from 1991 to 1997. It was followed by ''
Infernal Affairs III'' (2003), which is both a sequel and a semi-prequel to the original film.
Plot
In 1991
Hong Kong Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is the primary law enforcement, investigative agency, and largest Hong Kong Disciplined Services, disciplined service under the Security Bureau (Hong Kong), Security Bureau of Hong Kong.
Pursuant to the one c ...
Senior Inspector Wong Chi-Shing meets his
Triad informant, Hon Sam. Meanwhile, Lau Kin-Ming, who is due to become Hon's prospective
spy within the Hong Kong Police Force, assassinates Hon's Triad boss, Ngai Kwun, in a mission for Hon's wife, Mary, who wants Hon to rise up the triad ranks. Mary tells Lau to keep her order secret from all, including Hon.
With Kwun dead, the Big Four triad underbosses intend to stop paying their dues to the Ngai family, but Kwun's successor and son Ngai Wing-Hau manipulates them to continue by blackmailing them on their mutual betrayals. As Lau enlists in the police academy, another police cadet, Chan Wing-Yan, is fired from the academy upon the discovery that he is also a (illegitimate) son of Kwun's, despite his dissociation with the Ngais. The police tell Chan to meet Wong, who enlists Chan as an undercover cop after Chan relays his purpose of being a righteous man. Chan is imprisoned on fake criminal charges to get close to one of Hon's men, Keung, whom Chan helped arrest previously.
In 1995
Lau has risen as a rookie cop, due to tips on criminal dealings from Hon. Meanwhile, Chan has become a small-time gangster after his and Keung's release from prison. Chan's girlfriend aborts their baby due to his gang association. Hau invites Chan to join the Triad, then tells the Big Four and Hon that he wants to emigrate, leaving them the Hong Kong underworld. Hau sends Hon to Thailand to link up with Thai cocaine smugglers, Hon leaves despite Mary's warning of a trap. Mary meets Wong; it is revealed that Wong ordered her to kill Kwun.
Hau's right-hand-man, Law, an undercover cop, tips off the next deal of Hau's. There, the police arrest Hau, but instead of finding drugs, they find a video located by Hau's hired private investigators, showing Mary and Wong's conspiracy to murder Kwun. Simultaneously, Hau's men assassinate the Big Four. Mary admits the truth about Kwun to Hon. Spooked, Hon and Keung kill many Thai mafia. Trapped, Hon makes a desperate overture to Thai mafioso Paul for an alliance. Paul attempts to shoot Hon; the gun misfires. Hau also sends a man to kill Mary, but Lau kills him to save Mary. The police release Hau, who kills Law after discovering Law's
wire
file:Sample cross-section of high tension power (pylon) line.jpg, Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample d ...
. Chan saves Hau from a
drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a type of assault that usually involves the perpetrator(s) firing a weapon from within a motor vehicle and then fleeing. Drive-by shootings allow the perpetrators to quickly strike their targets and flee the scene before l ...
, possibly conducted by Lau.
Hau has a
car bomb
A car bomb, bus bomb, van bomb, lorry bomb, or truck bomb, also known as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), is an improvised explosive device designed to be detonated in an automobile or other vehicles.
Car bombs can be roug ...
planted in Wong's car, which kills Wong's superior and friend, Superintendent Luk, while Wong is unharmed. Lau hides Mary in a safehouse. When she rejects his romantic advances and attempts to travel to Thailand for Hon, Lau anonymously betrays her to Hau's men, who kill her at
Kai Tak Airport.
In 1997
Lau is promoted to Probation Inspector; Chan is a full-fledged triad member. Hon has a new wife and child in Thailand. Wong admits guilt of conspiracy to murder to an internal investigation, but the department clears him so that he can take down the increasingly powerful Hau. Wong persuades Hon to return to Hong Kong to testify against Hau, as revenge for Mary. Hau is arrested, ruining his attempt to enter politics. Hon's testimony would threaten a short jail sentence for Hau. Chan later passes Wong decisive evidence against Hau.
Triad member Uncle John has the Thai mafia take Hon's Thai wife and child hostage. Hon escapes
witness protection and confronts Hau. Hon reveals that the Thai mafia were allied with him; they kill John. Hon also proves that Paul is holding the rest of the Ngai family hostage in Hawaii. The police arrive as an infuriated Hau prepares to shoot Hon. Hon accepts his death as revenge for Hau to be killed or jailed for life. Wong shoots Hau to save Hon. As Hau dies in Chan's arms, he discovers Chan's wire.
Wong laments the failure to imprison Hau. Paul insists on executing the Ngai family to tie up loose ends, despite Hon's reluctance. The murders turn Hon into a top criminal target for Wong. Undercover cop Chan joins Keung in Hon's triad, while Lau, Hon's police spy, handles a case for a young woman, Mary, his future fiancée, setting up the events of ''
Infernal Affairs
''Infernal Affairs'' () is a 2002 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak (director), Alan Mak from a screenplay written by Mak and Felix Chong. The film stars Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong ( ...
''.
Cast
*
Anthony Wong as Wong Chi-shing (黃志誠), a police inspector who aims to take down the Ngai family triad.
*
Eric Tsang
Eric Tsang Chi-wai ( zh, t=曾志偉; born 14 April 1953) is a Hong Kong actor, film director, producer, and television host, best known for hosting the variety show ''Super Trio series'' on the Hong Kong television network Television Broadcasts ...
as Hon Sam (韓琛), a member of Ngai's triad.
*
Carina Lau
Carina Lau Kar-ling ( zh, t=劉嘉玲; born 8 December 1965) is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She started her acting career at TVB, before achieving success with her Girl next door, girl-next-door roles in the 1980s' Hong Kong films. She also pl ...
as Mary, Hon Sam's wife.
*
Francis Ng as Ngai Wing-hau (倪永孝), the boss of the Ngai family triad after his father's assassination.
*
Edison Chen as Lau Kin-ming (劉健明), Hon Sam's mole in the police force.
*
Shawn Yue as Chan Wing-yan (陳永仁), Ngai Wing-hau's half-brother and an undercover cop.
*
Hu Jun as Luk Kai-cheung (陸啟昌), a police superintendent who is Wong's close friend and partner.
*
Chapman To
Chapman To (, born 8 June 1972), born Edward Ng Cheuk-cheung (), is a Hong Kong-Taiwanese actor. He is best known for his roles in films such as ''Infernal Affairs'' and ''Initial D (film), Initial D''. He is also the founder of his own multimedia ...
as "Silly" Keung (傻強), Chan's friend and fellow triad member.
*
Roy Cheung as Law Kai-yin (羅繼賢), an undercover cop in the triad.
*
Liu Kai-chi
Dick Liu Kai-chi (, 30 September 1953 – 28 March 2021) was a Hong Kong actor, best known for his everyman supporting roles. His career spanned over 40 years, with appearances in over 90 television series and 70 films. He earned eight nomina ...
as Uncle John (三叔), a prominent triad member.
*
Joe Cheung
Joe Cheung Tung-cho (, born 24 July 1944) is a Hong Kong director, producer, scriptwriter and actor.
Filmography
As director
* ''The Incredible Kung Fu Master'' (1979)
* ''Killer Wears White'' (1980)
* ''Dan bo dan'' (1981)
* ''Pom Pom (film), ...
as Ngai Kwun (倪坤), the boss of the Ngai family triad and Ngai Wing-hau's father who was assassinated by Lau.
*
Henry Fong as Gandhi (甘地), one of the Big Four.
* Peter Ngor as Negro (黑鬼), one of the Big Four.
*
Arthur Wong as Kwok-wah (國華), one of the Big Four.
*
Teddy Chan
Teddy Chan Tak-sum (, born 26 April 1958) is a Hong Kong filmmaker.
Filmography
Filmography as director, art director and other positions: as Man-ching (文拯), one of the Big Four.
* Chiu Chung-yu as Mary, the girl Lau meets in the police station at the end of the film.
* Phorjeat Keanpetch as Sunny, the Thai drug lord who tried to kill Hon Sam.
*
Ye Shipin as a socialite at the handover party
*
Tay Ping Hui as Hung, lawyer for the Ngais
* Hui Kam-fung as the principal of the police cadet school
* Alexander Chan as Ngai Wing-yee (倪永義), Ngai Wing-hau's elder brother.
*
Andrew Lin as Ngai Wing-chung (倪永忠), Ngai Wing-hau's younger brother.
*
Kara Hui as Ngai Wing-tsz (倪永慈), Ngai Wing-hau's elder sister
*
Wan Chi-keung as Superintendent Leung (梁Sir), Wong's superior.
* Chan Charoenwichai as Paul, the Thai drug dealer who became friends with Hon Sam.
*
Kelly Fu as May, Chan's girlfriend
Music
The film's score was composed by
Chan Kwong-wing. The theme song, ''Eternal Realm'' (長空; ''Changkong''), was composed by
Wong Ka-keung, lyrics provided by Wong and
Yip Sai-wing, and performed by the band
Beyond.
Reception
The film was highly anticipated prior to its release due to the success achieved by ''Infernal Affairs''. However, the general response to the film was mixed.
Box office
The film grossed HK$24,919,376 — big by 2003 Hong Kong standards, but only about half of the original's earnings.
Awards
Although ''Infernal Affairs II'' earned twelve nominations for the
2003 Hong Kong Film Awards, it could not match its predecessor's success. The film won only one award, Best Original Film Song, for the song "長空" (performed by
Cantopop
Cantopop (a contraction of "Cantonese pop music") is a genre of pop music sung in Cantonese. Cantopop is also used to refer to the cultural context of its production and consumption. The genre began in the 1970s and became associated with Hon ...
band
Beyond).
The film won the Best Film award at the
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
23rd Hong Kong Film Awards
*Won: Best Original Film Song (Wong Ka Keung, Yip Sai Wing, Beyond)
*Nominated: Best Film (Andrew Lau)
*Nominated: Best Director (Andrew Lau, Mak Siu-fai)
*Nominated: Best Screenplay (Mak Siu-fai, Chong Man-keung)
*Nominated: Best Actor (Francis Ng)
*Nominated: Best Actress (Carina Lau)
*Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Chapman To)
*Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Liu Kai-chi)
*Nominated: Best Cinematography (Andrew Lau, Ng Man-ching)
*Nominated: Best Editing (Curran Pang, Danny Pang)
*Nominated: Best Original Film Score (Chan Kwong-wing)
*Nominated: Best Sound Effects (Kinson Tsang)
10th
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
*Won: Best Film
See also
* ''
Infernal Affairs
''Infernal Affairs'' () is a 2002 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak (director), Alan Mak from a screenplay written by Mak and Felix Chong. The film stars Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong ( ...
''
* ''
Infernal Affairs III''
*
List of films set in Hong Kong
While most of local Hong Kong movies were filmed locally, several foreign movies were also, at least partly, set in Hong Kong. The following is a list of foreign movies set in Hong Kong.
Foreign movies
* ''Argylle'' (2024)
* ''Expats (TV series), ...
*
List of Hong Kong films
References
External links
* (dead)
Official site on Miramax*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Infernal Affairs Ii
2003 films
2003 crime thriller films
2000s Cantonese-language films
Basic Pictures films
Hong Kong crime thriller films
Hong Kong New Wave films
Hong Kong police films
Hong Kong gangster films
Films about witness protection
Films directed by Andrew Lau
Films directed by Alan Mak
Films set in 1991
Films set in 1995
Films set in 1997
Films set in Hong Kong
Films shot in Hong Kong
Media Asia films
Police detective films
Triad films
Hong Kong crime drama films
2000s Hong Kong films