Review of Election 2 (2006) by Hunter D — 09 Nov 2010

Johnnie To is one of the greatest filmmakers working in the crime genre, especially in Hong Kong. TRIAD ELECTION is a sequel to his Triad gangster opus ELECTION, both of which give a complex in-depth look at the intrigue in the Chinese criminal underworld.

Most HK gangster epics feature bullet ballets of death or extended fight sequences, great examples being Wilson Yip's SHA PO LANG (regrettably known as KILL ZONE in the U.S.) and To's EXILED. To's ELECTION films eschew genre convention in that guns are rarely drawn (and never fired) in these films, they focus solely on the elements of political intrigue within the Triads.

The first ELECTION film focused on the bloody conflict between Lok (Simon Yam) and Big D as they vie for the title of chairman of their ancient criminal society, with Lok emerging victorious. TRIAD ELECTION takes place two years later as Lok seeks to break tradition and seek re-election as chairman of the Triads, while Jimmy, a businessman with Triad ties looking to go straight (aren't they all?), seeks the title after realizing it will help him expand his business into China.

TRIAD ELECTION does a great job of building on the characters from the first film, and watching it without having seen ELECTION is obviously not recommended. Watch both on a double bill and you'll get one of the best gangster crime sagas that HK cinema has to offer.