Election, Election 2

Election

A+

Election 2 (Triad Election)

A+

Directed by Johnnie To

Although Johnnie To is far from an underappreciated director, I would still argue that the true value and importance of some of his work has yet to be fully realized. "Election" and "Election 2," in particular, will hopefully someday be refered to in the same way Jon Woo's "Hardboiled" and "The Killer" are today, namely as films that completely changed the tenor of Hong Kong cinema. All though this may seem like a hyperbolic wish on my part, I remain convinced that To's Election and Triad Election are two oft he finest filsm to come out of Hong Kong in a decade.

"Election" follows the power struggle between Lok (the always solid Simon Yam) and Big D (the always crazy looking Tony Leanug Ka Fai) who are competing to become the next Chairman of the Wo Sing society, Hong Kong's oldest triad. When the triad's elder members vote for Lok rather than Big D, all hell breaks lose, resulting in Lok and Big D factionalism testing the strength of Wo Sing as both attempt to wrestle away the Chairmanship from the other. "Election 2," the aptly named sequel to the first "Election" takes place two years later, as Lok's tenure as Chairman is winding down (Yeah, he wins. Hate to ruin it...) and his power is being tested by upstart Jimmy who, in "Election," helped him defeat Big D.

Although it may seem odd, most people who will see "Election" will likely see it after "Triad Election" since the latter is, in my experience at least, much easier to get your hands on than the first installment of the series. As such, I watched the two films in the wrong order, going from "Triad Election" to "Election." Although some would say this kills the suspense of the first film (admittedly it sort of does), there is nonetheless a whole different dynamic when watching a film where the denouement is largely known to you already, in the sense that I was filled more with a feeling of forebodding and anticipation than I was with a feeling of suspense when watching. Regardless of how it's viewed, this film is fantastic, showcasing To as the height of his game, mixing sound and images with a tight, complex, and nuanced storyline that results in an excilerating though still cerebral and hyper realistic film. To largely turns his back on elaborate gun play or complex fight scenes, choosing rather to portray violence in a largely realisitc way; short, brutal, messy, and for the most part unplanned. To's use of an esemble cast adds a wealth of depth to the film as the perpective and motivations of a number of characters, many of whom reappear in "Triad Election" are fleshed out and considered, adding layers of depth and suspense to the film.

Both films are in my opinion equally superb and for similar reasons. In both cases, To creates a densely layered story butressed by fantastic acting which is hyper realistic in its intrique and its violence and, at all times, completely riveting. Add to this the presence of a number of fantastically talented actors who, thanks to To's skill as a storyteller, are all made to seem three dimensional in a way that almost defies belief when you take into account the relative brevity of both films, an indication of how little time is wasted in both films.
One of the major reasons for the success of To's crime saga, however, is his attention to detail. To teams up with long term cinematographer Cheng Siu-Keung in both films to capture a rendering of Hong Kong as To seems to know and love it--cramped and steamy and always on the move--adding a significant measure of authenticity to the story. To's use of music in both films is also fantastic, with a mix of traditional Chinese music and forebodding percussions punctuating the action.

To has been rather hit or miss throughout his career and has the ability to produce both magnificent work and relativelly uninspired crap as well. "Election" and "Election 2" fall squarely into the former category (and then some) and are mandatory watching for anyone who believes that Hong Kong cinema has gone the way of the dodo.