First of all, you can’t really go wrong with a cast like this. Even if the movie was horrible you’d still have a cast that could save a movie like this. But, this movie is far from bad. Instead we get a look at the Shanghai streets just months before the incidents at Pearl Harbor. The movie centers around secret agent Paul Soames, played by John Cussack in an ‘auto-pilot’ kinda way. Soames makes his way to Shanghai because his friend and co-secret agent was killed. It’s up to Paul Soames to find the people responsible for it.

At 45 years of age Gong Li looks absolutely stunning

In a way this movie feels like it’s an hommage to the classic film-noir genre. The movie is basically a gangster/detective flick with that black and white feel of the 1940′s. I feel this movie properly includes the classic noirish themes of the 40′s – 50′s that gave the classic films the reputation they have now. Director Mikael Håfström does a great job to bring the pre-occupied Shanghai to life. With almost no CGI and plenty of ‘real’ sets and extra’s it’s a great change of pace from those movies that are filled with explosions every two seconds.

As said before. The actors do an exceptional job. Cussack kinda under the radar with this role of secret agent. He has this calmness and subtleness over him. The stunning Gong Li plays the role of ‘mysterious’ woman. She has that sultry, mysterious look in her eyes and you can’t take your eyes off of her. Can you imagine she’s 45 years old? Damn. She ages to gracefully and still looks like a babe to me. The two support actors are no slouches either. I even saw some glimpses of old John Woo movies when Chow Yun-Fat busted out the gun and layed some bodies down. And Ken Watanabe has that sinister vibe in him as the film’s main bad guy, though he adds a certain class to his villainous character.

Chow Yun-Fat showed some glimpses of 'Inspecter Tequila'

This is an enjoyable movie, and it captures that sense of mystery, mistrust, betrayal and fear that you experience during an espionage film. Though this isn’t essentially a war film in that it’s main focus is about blowing up people etc, it is about the struggle of invasion and the effects it has on the people. View this movie as a throwback to the classic film-noir genre with an outstanding cast and production value. People new to the film-noir genre: give this time capsule thriller a chance.

Rating: ★★★★★★★

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvpAdG54fZM

Every two years, one of the most important triad of Hong-Kong has to elect his boss, through a democratic way, where the older decides who can run and win the election. The movie deals with one of this election, which soon becomes a death fight between the two main candidates. The calm and cold-hearted Lok (magistraly interpreted by Simon Yam) and the crazy and dangerous Big D (Tony Leung Ka Fai). Everything that could help to win the election is now permitted. From corruption to torture, and nothing will be spared.

Don't expect a full blown Triad action movie

So the film is quite enjoyable, for it’s always nice to see a classical and well done HK triad movie. It really looks like a mid-nighties HK polar, from its atmosphere (and particularly the photography and the direction, with a camera always moving) to its actors. The main influences are still Melville and Coppola, with maybe a new touch of Kitano here (for the character of Big D.) 1997 finally didn’t affect too much the way Hong-Kong makes movies, and although we knew it for some time now, it’s always a pleasure to have a confirmation.

But the problem is that Election really lacks of originality, where Tsui Hark brought some crazy experimental elements and “Infernal Affairs” a more realist tone, Election didn’t really bring anything new. And if the movie is realist and even didactic. It also lacks of action and tension. Of course, there is one big fight scene it is quite short and rather confused. And there almost no dramatic tension in it: a long scene shows a sort of relay to catch a scepter, which will decided the winner of the election, and as no real suspense in it.

Expect a more serious and inside look

Election is severely interesting on the basis of it being a pure triad film. Obviously my knowledge of the organisation is severely limited, but from what I can ascertain this is as “realistic” as you will get, next to standing in the room itself, as the rituals and ceremonies have all been meticulously planned, structured and filmed. In this sense, Election manages to bring out the very best in Eastern cinema, the rich culture (despite the notorious background of the Triad) steeped in tradition holding important virtues and values such as honour, which have all too often have been left behind in the Middle Ages. Election provides what can only be described as a rare insight, and chances are you will not find another film which will be as true and as accurate as this. Other plus points include the strength of the cinematography, typically shot in clean contrast with vivid colours and engaging compositions, while the acting is convincing with some slick performances from Tony Leung and Simon Yam.

If you’re familiar with To’s style, then you should know what to expect. The pacing is relatively slow and deliberate. The cinematography is great, slick and dark in equal measures, utilizing dark hues (brown, dark green and orange) while the smooth tracking shots add a vibrant quality to it. In the end, Election occupies a peculiar place. It’s not exactly a character study and it’s not an action-oriented gangster film. It explores a situation (the election and its aftermath), but does so in style, and is both realistic and romanticized. I see Election as the ‘oriental Godfather’.

Rating: ★★★★★★

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quMLN0SHTfM