I must admit I was surprised. And pleasantly so.
The first two instalments of the series were, in most respects, well-done cop-and-robbers fare, with the first sequel explaining a piece of history in the story, while making some nice adaptations from Godfather. This second sequel, however, in fact requires some thought as the story unfolded.
*** Spoilers Ahead ***
I will try to reveal as little as possible, since my own enjoyment was partially ruined by having read a review which gave the plot away.
On the surface level, the story weaves together the past and present, showing the fall of the main character. Some would criticize the introduction of too many seemingly commercial elements. While the use of Leon Lai may be so, his character is IMO an outsider necessary to unravel the mess that plagues the police department, namely the many moles inserted by Han. The introduction of a mainland Chinese element ties in nicely with the second sequel, again highlighting the fact that the affairs of Hong Kong is no longer merely its own. Han was indeed getting to be one of the biggest fishes in the pond, and has attracted the attention of powers higher than just the Hong Kong Police. Although his untimely demise, at the hands of one of his protege, put an end to his mainland ambition, the point is by and large neither here nor there in so far as the story behind this particular instalment is concerned.
I am uncertain as to the true intentions of the directors, but, having seen the whole story knitted together so tightly, I must conclude that the first half of the film was designed to mislead the audience in emphasizing the characters who turn out to be in fact subsidiary. The story does indeed focus on Lau as he sinks deeper and deeper into his personal hell. Personally, I dislike schizophrenia as a dramatic device, but I can accept it in this case since the previous instalments alluded to Lau's desire to turn himself clean.
The actions of Han also explained the gaping hole in the first sequel, namely his taking on the son of the former triad boss who tried to kill him and was, in the process, killed by Han. That is simply a supreme piece of human resource management we so often see in the real, corporate world. And, in having watched all three films in the series, I must commend the writers/directors on how Han's character has been fully developed, and I would say his is the most fleshed out of all, barring perhaps Chan Wing Yan.
I would even go so far as to argue that the plot is a cut above any other Hong Kong director/writer has produced so far, both in terms of the plot consistency and its style. One can not avoid comparing with Johnnie To who has regrettably floundered of late.
*** Spoilers End ***
There are, however, minor details that I have contention with:
1. In both sequels, the writers still think, as evidenced by the dialogue, it is the Department of Justice which sentences people.
2. In the first sequel, the flag on Wong Sir's desk on the even of the Handover was an Australian flag.
The first two instalments of the series were, in most respects, well-done cop-and-robbers fare, with the first sequel explaining a piece of history in the story, while making some nice adaptations from Godfather. This second sequel, however, in fact requires some thought as the story unfolded.
*** Spoilers Ahead ***
I will try to reveal as little as possible, since my own enjoyment was partially ruined by having read a review which gave the plot away.
On the surface level, the story weaves together the past and present, showing the fall of the main character. Some would criticize the introduction of too many seemingly commercial elements. While the use of Leon Lai may be so, his character is IMO an outsider necessary to unravel the mess that plagues the police department, namely the many moles inserted by Han. The introduction of a mainland Chinese element ties in nicely with the second sequel, again highlighting the fact that the affairs of Hong Kong is no longer merely its own. Han was indeed getting to be one of the biggest fishes in the pond, and has attracted the attention of powers higher than just the Hong Kong Police. Although his untimely demise, at the hands of one of his protege, put an end to his mainland ambition, the point is by and large neither here nor there in so far as the story behind this particular instalment is concerned.
I am uncertain as to the true intentions of the directors, but, having seen the whole story knitted together so tightly, I must conclude that the first half of the film was designed to mislead the audience in emphasizing the characters who turn out to be in fact subsidiary. The story does indeed focus on Lau as he sinks deeper and deeper into his personal hell. Personally, I dislike schizophrenia as a dramatic device, but I can accept it in this case since the previous instalments alluded to Lau's desire to turn himself clean.
The actions of Han also explained the gaping hole in the first sequel, namely his taking on the son of the former triad boss who tried to kill him and was, in the process, killed by Han. That is simply a supreme piece of human resource management we so often see in the real, corporate world. And, in having watched all three films in the series, I must commend the writers/directors on how Han's character has been fully developed, and I would say his is the most fleshed out of all, barring perhaps Chan Wing Yan.
I would even go so far as to argue that the plot is a cut above any other Hong Kong director/writer has produced so far, both in terms of the plot consistency and its style. One can not avoid comparing with Johnnie To who has regrettably floundered of late.
*** Spoilers End ***
There are, however, minor details that I have contention with:
1. In both sequels, the writers still think, as evidenced by the dialogue, it is the Department of Justice which sentences people.
2. In the first sequel, the flag on Wong Sir's desk on the even of the Handover was an Australian flag.