Day: February 14, 2016

Director: Wai-Keung Lau, Alan Mak

Writer: Alex Mak, Felix Chong (Screenplay)

Starring: Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Daoming Chen, Kelly Chen, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Sammi Cheng

 

Plot: Months after the events of the original film, Ming suspects a police superintendent as being a new mole for the triads, while years earlier, Yan embarks on his first mission.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Lacklustre Conclusion to the Saga

 

Story: Infernal Affairs III starts by splitting the stories in two, first we follow Yan (Leung) before his death in the first film as he deals with the gang trying to uncover the mole, while we also follow Inspector Lau (Lau) as he gets cleared of any wrongful in the death of Yan and his life after what happened in that day, where discovered he wasn’t the only mole within the police department.

We follow as Lau is trying to uncover the rest of the moles in the department while Yan continues to rise up the organisation with both clashing with Yeung (Lai) in their different time periods, but just who is he really working for that is the question being asked here.

Infernal Affairs III really enters into the realm of confusion with the final part of the story, jumping between the two times doesn’t help and the only way I could really understand what happened is to remember two other characters from The Departed which did seem to piece together the final outcome. If you were to see this film without any information you would finds yourself lost through this film.

 

Actor Review

 

Tony Leung: Chan Wing Yan is the man who is undercover with the gangs, he has just started to make a name for himself as he goes to climbs the ladders but we also get to learn more about his time in therapy to make sure he stays on the right path. Tony is good in this role returning to his original role.

Andy Lau: Inspector Lau Kin Ming is the lone survivor after the events of the first film, he now wants to uncover the rest of the moles in the department believing that there are in fact multiply ones with one trying to pick off the rest. Andy returns and gives a good performance throughout.

Leon Lai: SP Yeung Kam Wing is the man in the department taking over from Lau after he gets promoted to internal affairs, Lau believes he is in fact a mole himself and the two go into battle against each other to uncover the truth. Leon is a good addition to the films who adds enough mystery.

Daoming Chen: Inspector Shen Chen is the current crime leader that Yan has to answer to, he is keeping everything in order as we see Sam waiting for him to fall. Daoming is a good addition as we learn who his character is in the final act.

Support Cast: Infernal Affairs III has the same supporting cast as previous outing which all go very well throughout.

Director Review: Wai-Keung Lau, Alan Mak – The pair finish their saga well even if it is slightly confusing in places.

 

Action: Infernal Affairs III has solid action when needed but doesn’t go over the top for it.

Crime: Infernal Affairs III continues to show the crime story going on in the world created.

Thriller: Infernal Affairs III keeps you wonder to what is happening through the film.

Settings: Infernal Affairs III uses the settings well again which you would expect from this saga.

Suggestion: Infernal Affairs III is one to watch to finish the saga off really. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Once you figure it out it is good.

Worst Part: Confusing at start.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes

 

 

Overall: Tidy conclusion to the saga even if it has confusing moments.

Rating

Ahead of the UK Premiere of THE MIND’S EYE at the Glasgow Film Festival, FrightFest probes the mind of director Joe Begos.

Joe Begos on set of THE MIND’S EYE

 

Q: Have you got your love of 80s movies out of your system now?

I’m not sure! A lot of it comes through as organic as that’s what my brain sponged in at the most impressionable movie-going age possible. I definitely would love to make some more contemporary movies in the future but I feel like no matter the time period, the aesthetic of the 80’s (all practical, fun, sensationalized filmmaking) will bleed through.

Q: Brian De Palma or David Cronenberg? Which director had the most inspirational impact on THE MIND’S EYE?

I think they both seeped through, as I love the stories and imagery that Cronenberg has come up with, though the highly technical and orchestrated filmmaking process of Brian De Palma was equally important.

Q: Actor Graham Skipper stars again like he did in ALMOST HUMAN, and you wrote the part of Zack Connors for him, Why do you like him so much, what does he bring to your table?

Graham has so many qualities that I like as an actor, it’s hard to single out specific ones. For this film in particular, I feel his blue collar, regular look really helped attribute to the “off-the-grid drifter” feel, and his giant bulging eyes were integral to the telekinetic scenes. No matter what you put on the page, Graham is willing to transform himself into it and give you whatever you need to make what’s in your head a reality.

Q: John Speredakos brings new meaning to the words over-the-top as Dr Slovak, his idea or yours?

I think it was a combination of us both finding the rhythm and tone. It’s a delicate balance in something like this, but between his performance and the editing, i feel like we were able to strike it just right.

Q: It’s quite a romantic movie too? Are you going soft on us?

Never!

Q: Great to see Larry Fessenden play Zack’s father, do you see him as a creative mentor? 

It was a dream come true to have Larry in the film. His whole attitude towards filmmaking and the art form in general, even after all of his success really is something to behold. To see him having fun on set and be proud of his work in the film was unbelievable.

Q: Steve Moore’s soundtrack is absolutely brilliant, and complements the movie so much.   Where did you find him?

Steve is amazing. Steve is a member of the fantastic synth horror band ZOMBI, and I became a fan of his work through that. I reached out to him, and in some weird twist of fate he had just watched ALMOST HUMAN. It really did work out perfect, as I can’t think of somebody better who could have complemented the movie as well.

Q: You had a cameo in ALMOST HUMAN, why not here?

I actually do! I’m on the other side of the pay phone during the phone call. I just haven’t credited myself on IMDB yet.

Q: What did you learn shooting ALMOST HUMAN that you applied here?

Never shoot a movie in 18 days.

Q: What was the best thing that happened while you were filming?

The fact that it was the worst winter in decades. It was a nightmare to shoot, but that snow looks INCREDIBLE, and we certainly never planned for it.

 

THE MIND’S EYE screens as part of FrightFest Glasgow 2016 on Fri 26^th Feb at the GFT Screen 1, 9.00pm. Joe Begos will be in attendance.

To book tickets: http://tickets.glasgowfilm.org/en-GB/categories/frightfest