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Infernal Affairs III
無間道III: 終極無間
2003 118 min China, Hong Kong, Taiwan R 12+
★6.9
Crime, Drama, Action
Director: Wai Keung Lau, Alan Mak
Trailers
Description
Triad gangster turned corrupt cop Lau Kin-ming goes to dangerous lengths to avoid detection.
Budget:
$250,000
Worldwide:
$4.47M
Starring
Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Actor
Andy Lau
Actor
Leon Lai
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 11 nominations total
Key opinion
Internal Affairs III functions as a complex, introspective conclusion to the trilogy, prioritizing psychological depth and character evolution over the high-octane thrills of its predecessors. While fans of the series appreciate its intricate narrative puzzle and Andy Lau's nuanced performance, detractors find the plot convoluted and the pacing listless compared to the earlier entries.
| Acting | Andy Lau delivers a powerful, wide-ranging performance that captures the protagonist's descent from arrogance to hollow, weary desperation. | |
| Accessibility | The narrative structure requires viewers to have an intimate knowledge of the previous two films to piece together the complex, puzzle-like timeline. | |
| Pacing | The film shifts away from the high-stakes action of the original, resulting in a divisive experience where some enjoy the psychological focus while others find the lack of intensity boring. | |
| Screenplay | The reliance on flashbacks and an improvised-feeling screenplay creates disagreement; supporters see it as a purposeful deepening of character motives, while critics argue it results in a superficial and predictable narrative. | |
| Score | Opinions on the musical score are split, with some praising its excellence and others citing it as the weakest entry in the trilogy's audio landscape. |