Review of Election 2 (2006) by Kevin M — 03 Sep 2007

Is this a sequel?? Sequels have a reputation for being a bit undone after their predecessors, but in true Godfather fashion, instead this is a marvelous continuation of the story, a sequel worthy of the first.

Two years have passed, and a new election is looming. Jimmy Lee (Louis Koo) is the Wo Shing's top earner, giving him the respect and power due to his business savvy and idealism. But deep down, Jimmy just wants to live his life, and move away from the Triad society. But Chinese Intelligence and a few Triad veterans have other plans for Jimmy, believing he is next in line to lead the Wo Shing, despite his protests.

Lok (Simon Yam) returns and seeks an historic second term as Chairman, his cunning and devious mind begins to play politics amongst the groups, and soon engages in war with Jimmy as the fight and blood spills onto the streets of Hong Kong.

This is more bloody, brutal, and it sure does let your imagination run wild as the violence is sure to leave a even the most hardened and desensitized movie goer a little shaken..... the movie does move quicker than the original, but thats due to the fact the the introduction has been told in Election, and Election 2 delves deeper into the emotions and feelings of the central characters and increases the tensions and violence to a new level.

The original cast (minus Tony Leung Ka Fi - tis a shame) return and it feels like old home week - by this point if you really enjoyed Election, it would be like seeing familiar faces and persons again. This movie is essentially Louis Koo's flick, taking the major role, though Simon Yam did take a step back, he played it out well, his screen time mixed with power games and his troubled relationship with his son, while Jimmy tries to balance his business and social life with his newly married wife, while trying to maintain his status and power within the Triad.

Its an all out blood fest, and as they say, only the strong survive. But this one goes far deeper than just criminal politics....

Music score, camera and directing work all top notch, nothing strays from the quality of the first movie.

I guess the only criticism is maybe the movie was a bit too short, it could have been drawn out a bit more, and cold have had more tension and be a bit more gripping like the first. I think the action scenes replaced some of the drama and tension, and that kinda lets it down.

Yes, worth watching!! Winner of Best Film - Hong Kong Film Critics Awards, Official selection in the various prestigious film festivals, and nominations all around.

But other than that, a definite sequel worth watching!!