Infernal Affairs II / Mou gaan dou II (2003) [The Criterion Collection]

Director: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak
Writer: Alan Mak, Felix Chong
Stars: Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong

The first of two sequels to follow in the wake of the massively successful Infernal Affairs softens the original’s furious pulp punch in favor of something more sweeping, elegiac, and overtly political. Flashing back in time, Infernal Affairs II traces the tangled histories that bind the trilogy’s two pairs of adversaries: the young, dueling moles (here played by Edison Chen Koon-hei and Shawn Yue Man-lok), and the ascendant crime boss (Eric Tsang Chi-wai) and police inspector (Anthony Wong Chau-sang) whose respective rises reveal a shocking hidden connection. Unfolding against the political and psychological upheaval of Hong Kong’s handover from Britain to China, this elegant, character-driven crime drama powerfully connects its themes of split loyalties to the city-state’s own postcolonial identity crisis.

Extras:
- New 4K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Audio commentary featuring directors Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Alan Mak and screenwriter Felix Chong Man-keung
- Making of
- Confidential File
- Deleted Scenes and Bloopers
- Trailers