Johnnie To's Triad Election (2006)

It seems rare these days to get a sequel to a film that doesn't have pirates or robots or superheroes. So when a genuine sequel to one of the best gangster movies of the past 20 years comes out there is reason to celebrate. Johnnie To's Election 2 (or Triad Election as it was confusingly renamed in the States) picks up as the Wo Sing Triad is readying for the next chairman election and every character is back. Louis Koo's Jimmy steps to the forefront this time around after his intriguing supporting role in the first film. While it doesn't move at the near breakneck pace of the first film, Election 2 fleshes out the many characters and the story unfolds naturally and gracefully. Fans of the original film will be in heaven while those who missed Election will have absolutely no clue to what's going on. The films work best when viewed back to back and I can't help but draw numerous comparisons to the first two Godfather films.

The acting, cinematography, action, and pacing are pitch-perfect and fans of the original will be thrilled by the twists and turns that befall Lok, Jimmy, Uncle Teng, Jet and the rest of the Wo Sing Triad. After watching Election I was blown away. I seriously doubted that To would be able to match it with Election 2, let alone top it. And I am pleased to announce that he did just that. Election 2 is, hands down, one of the best gangster films I've ever seen, and when viewed alongside the original Election, the pair of films set a high watermark that has only been matched by a handful of gangster films.

If you enjoy Hong Kong cinema, gangsters, and the occasional burst of brutal violence, than do whatever it takes to see these films. Support the master of the Hong King crime genre. This is an outstanding film, and when taken with the original, a triumph.

5 out of 5 stars.