Election 2 Details

Hard hitting gangster drama

Cult HK director Johnny To has injected a political theme into his follow-up to 'Election (1)' that elevates this movie from the typical violent power struggles that make up most gangster films. Although this film certainly has its share of blood-letting - one particularly chilling scene is almost silent, save the soundtrack's eerie drone, the noise of a meat grinder and the mincing of human flesh presented in such icy fashion that it becomes savagely artistic. Indeed, Election 2's violence will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It is a testament to the director's talent that even without a single likable character, the film remains compelling right to the bitter end.

Election 2 is an uncompromising film: violent, serious and politically controversial. (It is banned in China) Johnny To has forged a dark monster that leaves the viewer with much food for thought on subjects many might find distasteful. But for anyone with an interest in the ruthless underbelly of organized crime, I recommend that you give it a look.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Johnnie To gets my vote!!

You need to know that Election 2 follows on from the first film so knowledge of the characters and events of that are required. That also means this review will contain spoilers for that first film so if you haven’t seen it yet then now is the time to do so.

Sequels can often go two ways: they either follow the original successfully or they fall flat on their face. Luckily Election 2 more than follows up the original. Johnnie To has managed to effectively retell the story from the first film and yet make it fresh and original second time around. The story moves at a quicker pace but the intensity is still present as are the twists and turns as each candidate ups the ante in their quest to be elected and loyalties are tested and broken. The violence quota is turned up a whole notch – scratch that and make that two notches. One scene in particular is literally vomit inducing and to say that the victim’s life “went to the dogs” is as much an understatement as saying Simon Cowell is handy with verbal putdowns.

With a third film almost inevitable, Johnnie To’s Election series could be deemed the Triad version of The Godfather (hopefully with a better third instalment) and give the Infernal Affairs trilogy a run for its money to boot.