If you take the original plot away

Rating: 3/10 (6 May 2007)

What's left in this film if you take away the original plot developed in Infernal Affairs? Not much, I have to say.
Excessive vulgarity only weaken the characters. Take the villain as an example. Comparing to Eric Tsang's portrayal of the mafia boss, Jack Nicholson's character lacked depth, unpredictability and bone chilling factor. Eric Tsang convinced us that the character was capable of coldly plotting such a scheme. Costello played by Nicholson was nothing more than just an ordinary mean Hollywood mob character. It's a joke for anyone who used more than 5% of their brains to think that a loud mouth like Costello could come up with a well thought of plot. Similar arguments can be applied to Matt and Leonardo's characters. They all lacked the intelligence of their original counterparts.
All three of them are great actors. I love Matt in the Bourn movies. He's a perfect fit in them. Leonardo's great in Aviator. Jack was great in A Few Good Men and was evil in the Shinning.
I have to say regrettably this is totally attributable to Martin Scorsese. Hollywood needs to work more on creativity instead of making remakes and then patting their own backs.