Movie review: "Election 2" (2006)

Two years have passed since the events of the first film and tradition dictates Hong Kong's Wo Sing triad must elect a new chairman. There are problems...

The current holder of the office, the unpredictable Lok (Simon Yam), relishes his power and is pushing for an unheard-of second term. The elder members, or "Uncles", are against the idea. They'd prefer the position go to the outwardly respectable Jimmy (Louis Koo), who's made them fortunes selling pirated porn - only he wants out of the gangster game to become a legit businessman. Then there are bosses like Kun (Ka Tung Lam) who've grown sick of waiting for the top job and and believe they have the numbers - and the nads - to stake a claim.

When the deal-making and threats don't determine a winner, extreme violence ensues in the form of kidnapping, torture and assassination. But ultimately it's not the cars full of well-dressed, well-armed henchmen who'll decide the election - it's the candidate who's willing to go beyond "normal" criminal limits. Let's just say you won't forget the scene with the guard dogs and the mince grinder in a hurry.

"Election 2" is a more complex tale than its predecessor as the triad politics expand to include mainland Chinese authorities (who in some ways are even scarier). The acting is of an equally high standard - it's always a good sign when surviving characters are played by the original cast members. The soundtrack also merits a mention. Composer Robert Ellis-Geiger's nervous strings and martial drums really amplify the tension. By the end, they're resonating right through you.

As a sequel, I can't fault this movie. There's plenty of scope for a third part, too, with major figures in the ongoing struggle unaccounted for or yet to take sides.

[Australian DVD release date: February 21]

Note: For my mini-review of "Election", see the September 20, 2006 entry.