Infernal Affairs III cover art

Infernal Affairs III Reviews

2003 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 3922 members

Follow up to Infernal Affairs II Read more

Starring Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Kelly Chen
Director Wai Keung Lau
Genres Drama, Thriller, World Cinema

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  • Critics' reviews of Infernal Affairs III

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  • Made as a co-production to facilitate distribution in the mainland, Part III disarms China's censors with a lengthy... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Infernal Affairs III

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  • 14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Clever sequel

    First things first. This film will make no sense at all, unless you have seen Infernal Affairs 1. This third episode is both a sequel and a re-visiting of the first film with a brand new character (played by Leon Lai). New perspectives, incredibly twisted plot lines and a superb performance from Andy Lau make this a fitting conclusion to a masterful trilogy.

      • Kevan Brighting from Birmingham
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Tangled web of Internal affairs

    Prepare to be utterly confused for the first 45 minutes or so. Even having watched the first 2 films the previous week I found it hard to follow. But once the plot starts to unravel this 3rd part of the franchise shines. The time frame shifts from post Yan's death and prior to Yan's death who is always heralded throughout the film as the good guy. The plot constantly twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what is might be trying to tell you. Be prepared for a complete shocker of a conclusion. The film delves into the psyche of Ming and the effect that Yan had on him as a person. The links between this installement and the first are quite seamless. Pay attention to names, they use characters first names and surnames interchangeably which if you're not paying attention can be pretty confusing. For the 3rd part in a franchise this keeps the standard high. The script is strong and the main actors have returned with powerful performances. A much more human affair this time round rather than focusing on the triads and police. Very enjoyable.

    • Dragilex
      • Dragilex from Manchester
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    better than the americans

    this is by far the best cop thriller out there. better than anything micheal mann has put together and its even better than training day. The 3 films blew me away an absolute must see.... gutted to find out hollywood are planning a remake they quite simply wont be able to improve

      • A customer from Leeds, England
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Infernal Affairs III

    View all
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Doesn't live up

    Entertaining and enjoyable but just doesn't meet my expectations from the first two.

    Has all the good points of the other films with the added excitement of insanity. But unfortunately some of the scenes seem quite patronizing and purely to make sure the viewer understands what is happening.

    You REALLY need to see the other two first, preferably the same day as this relies heavily on you knowing the history.

    • StoneT
      • StoneT from Totnes, England
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Rivalry, Revenge and Redemption

    While the first two films in the series were gripping thrillers, this one, which spans a timeframe that overlaps the final events of the first film and the months that follow them, just doesn't deliver the same impact. If you've watched the first two, you'll want to see it just to find out what happens to Lau, but be prepared for a more reflective, slower-paced and less action-packed end to the trilogy.

  • 14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Clever sequel

    First things first. This film will make no sense at all, unless you have seen Infernal Affairs 1. This third episode is both a sequel and a re-visiting of the first film with a brand new character (played by Leon Lai). New perspectives, incredibly twisted plot lines and a superb performance from Andy Lau make this a fitting conclusion to a masterful trilogy.

      • Kevan Brighting from Birmingham
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Tangled web of Internal affairs

    Prepare to be utterly confused for the first 45 minutes or so. Even having watched the first 2 films the previous week I found it hard to follow. But once the plot starts to unravel this 3rd part of the franchise shines. The time frame shifts from post Yan's death and prior to Yan's death who is always heralded throughout the film as the good guy. The plot constantly twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what is might be trying to tell you. Be prepared for a complete shocker of a conclusion. The film delves into the psyche of Ming and the effect that Yan had on him as a person. The links between this installement and the first are quite seamless. Pay attention to names, they use characters first names and surnames interchangeably which if you're not paying attention can be pretty confusing. For the 3rd part in a franchise this keeps the standard high. The script is strong and the main actors have returned with powerful performances. A much more human affair this time round rather than focusing on the triads and police. Very enjoyable.

    • Dragilex
      • Dragilex from Manchester
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    better than the americans

    this is by far the best cop thriller out there. better than anything micheal mann has put together and its even better than training day. The 3 films blew me away an absolute must see.... gutted to find out hollywood are planning a remake they quite simply wont be able to improve

      • A customer from Leeds, England
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    A Bit Of A Let Down Compare To The Other Two

    My least favourite of the Infernal Affairs Trilogy. It was both a prequel and sequel to the first Affairs movie.

    I found it really hard work to sit through, not a patch on the other two. Maybe I need a second viewing because I also found it confusing. It seemed all over the place. Maybe my brain just wasn’t switched on that day. (I mean when I watched it England had just been knocked out of the World Cup the day before and the weather was so hot it was hard to get comfortable!). A little disappointing if I’m honest.

      • Ashley Cooper from Wednesbury, West Mids. England
  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Doesn't live up

    Entertaining and enjoyable but just doesn't meet my expectations from the first two.

    Has all the good points of the other films with the added excitement of insanity. But unfortunately some of the scenes seem quite patronizing and purely to make sure the viewer understands what is happening.

    You REALLY need to see the other two first, preferably the same day as this relies heavily on you knowing the history.

    • StoneT
      • StoneT from Totnes, England
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Confused the hell out of me...

    ... but I still liked it. I found the subtitles a little to hard to follow sometimes as I don't think they were quite accurate enough and there is a lot of stuff that is not made clear enough in the film. I'm sure it would gain from a repeat viewing though.

      • A customer from Stafford
  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Good but confusing

    Good final instalment of the Hong Kong trilogy, but this one is pretty confusing with lots of different flashbacks and new characters. Worth seeing, but not up to the first one.

      • James from Nottingham
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    COOL

    If you want to understand what is going on in this film you would have needed to watch the first 2 installments of this collection of films.

    Saying that, the acting is fantastic as the bad guy tries to make amends for his past deeds.

    A good finish to a cracking trilogy of films.

      • Trailblazer from Lincs
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    kickkkkk asssssss

    an awesome trilogy........ hellla confusin but worth the time

      • dude
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Rivalry, Revenge and Redemption

    While the first two films in the series were gripping thrillers, this one, which spans a timeframe that overlaps the final events of the first film and the months that follow them, just doesn't deliver the same impact. If you've watched the first two, you'll want to see it just to find out what happens to Lau, but be prepared for a more reflective, slower-paced and less action-packed end to the trilogy.

  • Critics' reviews

  • Made as a co-production to facilitate distribution in the mainland, Part III disarms China's censors with a lengthy... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out

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