The Departed

[Azim]

Watched this last night ... KICK ASS movie. One of the best I've seen in a long time; classic Scorcese. Usually when a movie has as much star power as this one (Nicholsen, Damon, Wahlberg, DiCaprio, Baldwin, Sheen), they're often wasted. But they all had amazing performances in this one. Its 2.5 hrs long, but there's not one boring scene that will make you get restless.

Azim

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Azim

Watched this last night ... KICK ASS movie. One of the best I've seen in a long time; classic Scorcese. Usually when a movie has as much star power as this one (Nicholsen, Damon, Wahlberg, DiCaprio, Baldwin, Sheen), they're often wasted. But they all had amazing performances in this one. Its 2.5 hrs long, but there's not one boring scene that will make you get restless.

Azim

This is the next movie I am going to see. I watched TP boys on friday. It was funny...nothing spectacular just like a 2 hour episode.

[metallicat]

I saw it last night as well, and didn't really know what to think. I told my buddy that it was either the best movie I've ever seen, or this biggest pile of crap. I was anticipating this movie for months, so maybe that is what let me down. I definetely want to see it again, and will be buying the DVD.

[V]

The movie moved along very nicely. I saw it this afternoon. But I do have to say this. The movie left me thinking it could have been so much better. The ending was pure comedy, and I don't think that's what they were shooting for.

All in all, very dissapointed with how it all wrapped up. I won't be buying this one, that's for sure.

[HelloHockeyFans]

I really wanna watch it and see how different it is from its original Chinese version.

[theJuice]

Yea, I saw the original asian version a few years back, and loved it, I generally never enjoy the Western remakes of films, and I'm sorta debating whether I'm even going to go see this one in the theatres.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by theJuice

Yea, I saw the original asian version a few years back, and loved it, I generally never enjoy the Western remakes of films, and I'm sorta debating whether I'm even going to go see this one in the theatres.

92% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, and currently poised to be as high as #8 in all time movie rankings on IMDB.com. That's worth something. Remakes generally aren't the best, but this seems to be a huge exception.

[Hack&Lube]

For all people who have seen the original, they've told me this movie was pretty pale in comparison.

I have to agree that the Hong Kong original (Infernal Affairs) is a much much superior film. If you've seen the original, this feels like a shoddy substandard rip-off with clumsier movement and ending.

I suppose there is a degree of loyalty to the original but I've been told by many people that the Departed is crap in comparison and they even fell asleep in it.

[Azim]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

For all people who have seen the original, they've told me this movie was pretty pale in comparison.

I have to agree that the Hong Kong original (Infernal Affairs) is a much much superior film. If you've seen the original, this feels like a shoddy substandard rip-off with clumsier movement and ending.

I suppose there is a degree of loyalty to the original but I've been told by many people that the Departed is crap in comparison and they even fell asleep in it.

From what I hear (I haven't seen the original, 'internal affairs' myself), they followed the original closely in terms of overall story. I guess it depends on your perspective whether you think its better or worse than the original:

"Only the most devout fans of Hong Kong cinema would be so enamored with the original to say there's no improving upon its excellence. Several characters were under-developed, the soundtrack made awkward use of pop music, and the script went out of its way to remind you of the protagonists' conflicting dualities. Still, can you blame people for being skeptical of another botched Hollywood remake? The Departed, however, is one of those rare exceptions of a film that generally improves on the source material, despite falling short of it in other ways."
- review from Rottentomatoes.com

"Personally, I kept wondering why no one had thought to film such a story a long time ago; just the same, Infernal Affairs, as competently made as it was, could've used a stronger injection of cinematic attiude (it would've been right up the alley of early John Woo). Without it, the movie was mostly notable for its plot and a strong performance by Leung in particular...Scorsese's involvement with an across-the-Pacific version had a lot of potential, and I'd say he lives up to it."
- another review from Rottentomatoes


Azim

[Incinerator]

DO NOT read this if you haven't seen either one of the movies...major spoilers!












_____________________

I realize every director has their own style and way of doing things, but I'll admit I went in wanting to see an exact carbon copy of the original in a Boston setting and therefore expecting as much when I am comparing these two great movies.


I think Jack Nicholson made a better and more convincing villain than Eric Tsang, however Leo DiCRAPrio has nothing on Tony Leung in terms of acting skills.

I liked the ending better in this remake as it concludes the story without the need of a sequel. On the other hand, this ending would deviate from Infernal Affair's main theme--that Andy Lau's character is suppose to endure a hellish suffering worst than being dead.

Both movies have their strengths and weaknesses IMO, I really think Infernal Affair's sequel was totally botched even though the idea is good, and don't get me started on the prequel, Edison Chen is a complete fag and totally ruined the character for me.

I also didn't like how the remake split Anthony Wong's character into Baldwin and Wahlberg, as Wahlberg is completely off the chart when it came to what Anthony Wong's character is supposed to be like, they also killed the wrong dude in the homicide scene (Capt. Queenan is supposed to die natually).

And finally, merging Sammi Cheng and Kelly Chen's characters into one was actually quite interesting, it'd be more entertaining though if Matt Damon found out the kid was Leo DiCaprio's before meeting his final destiny, not explicitly stating this kinda ruined the fun and left the audience guessing.

Ok that was a bit all over the place of a review, but hopefully the ones who've seen both will know what I'm talking about

edit: oh and I'd just like to add that IMHO the soundtrack of the remake really sucked, especially when compared to the original.

[V]

DO NOT read this if you haven't seen either one of the movies...major spoilers!










Well, I just thought the ending was brutal. It seemed awfully forced to me, almost like "****, this movie's getting too long! Better kill everyone off!!!"

I also thought the second mole showing up to kill Leo was really lame. Could've been better if it was the FBI coming in to clean things up.

I've never seen the original, so I can't compare the two.

edit: oh and I'd just like to add that IMHO the soundtrack of the remake really sucked, especially when compared to the original.

Totally agree. I was thinking about that earlier tonight. It was really bad.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Well, I just thought the ending was brutal. It seemed awfully forced to me, almost like "****, this movie's getting too long! Better kill everyone off!!!"

I also thought the second mole showing up to kill Leo was really lame. Could've been better if it was the FBI coming in to clean things up.

I've never seen the original, so I can't compare the two.

I don't know if you want to see the original so if you dont here's the explanation:

The Second mole was part of the original's plotline, I agree it may look out of place if you look at it purely from the remake's perspective. The purpose of that scene was to show that Damon's character is torn between being a bad guy and a good guy (in the original this character is really torn and wants to become the good guy again, he was toying with the idea of going along with Leo's character and turning himself in) When the second mole showed up and killed Leo, Damon's character felt obligated to "correct" this mistake by killing the mole...in the original's sequel Damon's character spent the whole movie trying to go back onto the "good" path and was tormenting himself the whole time, he feels worst than being burnt in hell (as a consequence to his actions in the first one).

I don't know was that explanation clear?

[V]

I guess my problem with it is that I went to see the Departed, not Internal Affair.

So the second mole shows up, and I knew right away that Sullivan would kill him just to smooth things over and get out of the mess he's in. But then Sullivan dies just 2 minutes later, completely out of the blue. When there was opportunity to actually play on that idea, they just kill him off. Also, other than Sullivan snapping and deciding to take Costello out, I didn't really see him playing a tortured soul. Maybe it was too subtle for me, but I didn't see it.

Another beef? Costello, a hardened criminal was standing 2 feet from Sullivan when he tries to shoot him, and he missed?? That seemed really odd. And then he gets shot directly in the heart, and falls back, and then gets another shot off?? Very strange, and I didn't like it.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

I guess my problem with it is that I went to see the Departed, not Internal Affair.

So the second mole shows up, and I knew right away that Sullivan would kill him just to smooth things over and get out of the mess he's in. But then Sullivan dies just 2 minutes later, completely out of the blue. When there was opportunity to actually play on that idea, they just kill him off. Also, other than Sullivan snapping and deciding to take Costello out, I didn't really see him playing a tortured soul. Maybe it was too subtle for me, but I didn't see it.

That's exactly what the original did, they played on that idea and "Sullivan" got off scot free (in the eyes of the law), but he couldn't get past his own conscience afterwards.

[MagicallyAdept]

Scorcese must be nailed on for an Oscar this time round. He has been nominated 5 times but never one. He will surely get nominated for the 6th time and i hope he wins, he does deserve it.

I have not seen the film yet but want to as soon as i get the time.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

If you haven't seen Infernal Affairs, see it. The 3 parts really make the movie, but I find #3 the weakest of the trilogy.

[theJuice]

I just have to chime in and agree with the idea that Edison Chen is indeed, a huge fairy.

[albertGQ]

I just saw this movie last night

Never seen the origional Chinese one, but man, I enjoyed this movie.

I didn't like how it ended though. Just a mass killing didn't seem to fit the movie

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I just saw this movie last night

Never seen the origional Chinese one, but man, I enjoyed this movie.

Albert's big spoiler

Come on man, why give away the ending. Edit that out.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

God, another "remakes suck, originals are always better" thread.


This movie was great. Not gonna get into what was so good because people will just back it up with, "no, the original didnt do it this way".......I hate that mentality.