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[HotHamBoy]

Wow. Holy smokes.

I'd seen The Departed way back in 2006 and a couple times since. Shame on me for just now getting to the original.

This is definitely the better film. Tight, lean, suspense without the bloat and hammy scene-chewing. There are some cheesy cues and some odd scene transitions, but overall I found the film to be a more enjoyable take on the story. Both leads were more sympathetic and relatable, especially Andy Lau. Tony Leung is way, way more likeable and charismatic than DiCaprio. The pacing was relatively brisk and the scenes were concise. I only wish I could have been genuinely surprised by all the twists and turns.

There are some things Scorsese changed that seem totally unnecessary. The way he changed the ending was the worst offender as the way Infernal Affairs ends is thematically appropriate and well-earned. I also understand his desire to flesh out some of the hcaracters but it didn't really add to The Departed in a way that justified another 50 minutes of runtime.

I need more Hong Kong cinema, GAF. I'm woefully ignorant in that area.

 

[Gunslinger]

I think they are both good movies. But I enjoyed the ending of departed more.

 

[PushTheButtonMax]

I had no idea The Departed was based on this. Will definitely try to check this out.

 

[HotHamBoy]

I think they are both good movies. But I enjoyed the ending of departed more.

The ending of The Departed is pure wankery.

In "Infernal Affairs" the

Spoiler

"bad guy" lives but he is stuck in a personal hell of guilt and paranoia. Hence his sentiment about trading places with Yan at the funeral and the flashback to Academy,

 

[Bishop89]

One of my all time favourites.

Like it way way way more than the departed.

 

[sfedai0]

There are no shortage of good HK triad movies. Sometimes I feel like thats all the HK movie industry is good for. Try Young and Dangerous series.

 

[Junior Mint]

Infernal Affairs is SO much better than The Departed

 

[Dan]

Infernal Affairs is fantastic. Way better than The Departed, which was a bloated monster of scenery chewing performances and a silly twist on the ending.

You'd probably like some of Johnnie To's stuff for more crime/police thrillers.

 

[kunonabi]

Yeah, Infernal Affairs is amazing. I watched it and the Departed for school and I personally couldn't stand the Departed. IA was just better in every way.

 

[Faustek]

Watched all 3 OP?
You need to do it. While not everything holds up as much at the first it really helps flesh out the complete story. The second movie is a prequel helping you get more into CWY's predicament and the third just takes up nearly directly after the aftermath of the first to keep it going.

Watched these before the departed even was a thing and I must say that Hollywood never did it justice. The Departed is probably better than I give it credit for but it becomes boring how Hollywood again and again does this and can't do it good enough for my taste.