Infernal Affairs III (2003)

Serving as both a sequel and a prequel (of sorts) to the first film, Part III brings back Tony Leung and Andy Lau to their respective roles, which makes all the difference for a short while. (It jumps around in time quite a bit, but it's simple enough to follow if you're familiar enough with Part I.) But as the story goes on it becomes clear that very little of it is worth learning about; and some parts of it are so contrived as to be just plain bad. Ultimately, the extra info about certain events will no doubt please a percentage of viewers, for me it's an unnecessary and overlong addition to the first film's taught story.

2½ couch sleeps out of 5

Infernal Affairs II (2003)

Prequels are rarely as good as the story they precede. Case in point: the first IA film is a class act, but its prequel (Part II) definitely isn't. The first time I attempted to watch it I turned it off before the halfway mark. The second time, I fell asleep about 50 minutes in. Having since endured everything it has to offer, I feel that it's severely lacking in thrills or charm. There's a notable action scene around that halfway mark, but the rest if it is woefully dull.
The original story's two moles are now played by younger actors, which is an Achilles heel in itself. but the script, covering each man's rise from rookie to their previously/eventual established positions, is largely forgettable.

2 handovers out of 5

Initial D - Drift Racer (2005)

Aka: Tau man ji D

Takumi is a tofu delivery boy for his drunken father (played by the wonderful Anthony Wong Chau-Sang). His delivery route takes him down the twisty Mt. Akina, a road that some new in town downhill street racers want to own. They take a dislike to the tofu boy.
It's based on a manga, so is a little episodic in pace.
There's racing, obviously, but the main focus of the film is the growth of drifter Takumi.
Avoid the UK soundtrack, it loses some of the emotion.

3½ cups of water out of 5

MOU GAN DOU [INFERNAL AFFAIRS] [2002]

Hong Kong takes everything Michael Mann has done and perfected it in the first of a trilogy. Infernal Affairs is a near perfect crime-drama that wastes not a second of film. From beginning to end I was enthralled with the tightly wound pacing, performances and plot reveals.
While the characters begin to question which side they are actually one, the viewer is forced to question which side they are rooting for without being manipulated or spoon fed plot twists like we're stupid.
There are a few shots of overly stylized silliness and plot points that go nowhere but all that is forgiven for just how well the story is told. For a movie that's filled with pretty pop stars turned actors this surprises, enthralls and forces me to beg for more.

4 Rooftops out of 5