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16 out of 22 people found the following review useful: I Vote...It's "Decent Enough", 29 June 2007 Author: benjamin_lappin from England
The issue with IMDb in regards to foreign films such as 'Election' is that inevitably few have seen the film, fewer have chosen to put themselves in the firing line with a synopsis, and all will mark begrudgingly out of preference and favouritism rather than critical accuracy. Was I expecting more from this film? Given that it was on offer, I had finance at hand, and I purchased with intent to merely fill up my East Asian collection, no. Given that the film was Johnny To, was an official Cannes selection and had won as many awards as the impeccable Infernal Affairs, the answer is a resounding yes.Without wishing to sound too condescending before hitting the heart of the review, you can often (not always) gauge the credibility of a film based on where the "quotes" on the DVD box have originated. In England, the usual credible resources are Empire, The Observer/Guardian, probably The Independent and for the most part Johnathon Ross, so given that this film has been brandished a five star rating by "NEO" sent alarm bells ringing, but I am open minded, and do not let nonsense like that sway my opinion. Election is severely interesting on the basis of it being a pure triad film. Obviously my knowledge of the organisation is severely limited, but from what I can ascertain this is as "realistic" as you will get, next to standing in the room itself, as the rituals and ceremonies have all been meticulously planned, structured and filmed. In this sense, Election manages to bring out the very best in Eastern cinema, the rich culture (despite the notorious background of the Triad) steeped in tradition holding important virtues and values such as honour, which have all too often have been left behind in the Middle Ages. Election provides what can only be described as a rare insight, and chances are you will not find another film (barring Volume II) which will be as true and as accurate as this. Other plus points include the strength of the cinematography, typically shot in clean contrast with vivid colours and engaging compositions, while the acting is convincing with some slick performances from Tony Leung and Simon Yam.Election confronts the issue of the modern globalised world coming into conflict with the traditions of heritage of the triad which are seemingly being swamped by the sheer force of power the outside world, and in particular capitalism, possesses. However, and yes it was inevitable, the script, despite having won the award for Best Screenplay at the Hong Kong Film Festival is decidedly average if not poor. The performances aside, it does very little to engage you as an audience, nor does it contain a gravitas to sweep you off your feet and cart you away down a roller-coaster ride, and perhaps this is the directors want. However The Godfather, for example was a film which had a relatively slow paced storyline, yet you were utterly immersed for nigh on three hours, with Election the 100 minutes, feels like three hours, and that is not a good thing. Not enough actually takes place on screen to engage you, there are debates among elders about who should be the next Chairman, you see the candidates approach other members of the triad to ask for their support, you see more debating, you see various characters obviously being set up to be more important in volumes II and III, and you see some good acting go to waste with not much happening. I did want to like this film immensely, and I gave it all the time it needed, but it did not give me that essential x-factor which grabs you and slaps you around, so that when all is finished you need a moment to recover. There are many plus points, and I don't discount the possibility that I could be proved wrong on all these counts when viewed as an entire trilogy, but as a singular film Election falls into the trap so many foreign films do, excellent intentions, decent execution, and that is this film in a nutshell, it's decent. Don't expect a rip-roaring wild ride, expect a fairly entertaining trip, a leisurely drive through the world of the triads with acting that is superb but a story which is average, stunning visuals and clichéd endings. One review (from "Total Film" *insert raised eyebrow here*) calls this "unflinching brutality", and if you were expecting a whole lot more, it certainly can be.
13 out of 21 people found the following review useful: A good watch, 15 January 2006 Author: pavithran from Malaysia
Personally, I find the movie to be quite a good watch. It outlines the actual situation of triads in Hong Kong and gives the viewer a glimpse of how triads are organized.Not only that, it also shows the viewer how the Hong Kong police control the triad situation and why the police don't just go all out and wipe out triads.Overall, the movie is rather violent due to the gangland methods of killings & torture. Nevertheless, the movie stays true to the real world, thus the violence on screen is just a reflection of what really happens.I'd recommend this movie to any Triad/Mafia movie fan. Another good watch would be Dragon Squad. That movie has more guns than this, as in this movie there's more knives than guns (in fact I don't remember seeing a single gun).
7 out of 10 people found the following review useful: Great Depth, 23 June 2006 Author: NukedaFridge from United Kingdom
This film really deserves more recognition than its getting. It really is a stunning and rich portrayal of blood ties, favours and allegiances within the crime world. The film is shot beautifully and delves into all you're classic crime themes such as betrayal and power. This film is a movie goers film, it requires attention and understanding and rewards fully in the end. It is the godfather of hong kong and is a welcome change rather than another wire frame fighting, martial arts epic which seems to be the major contribution to the cinema world from hong kong and china. It features an arrangement of great characters, actors and development although is fair to say I had to watch it twice just to nail what was happening with some of the characters due to their being so many interactions in the film. ALl in all 8/10 Great plot characters but there are characters that don't stand out enough and the music didn't really get me going and at times i felt it didn't sync well with the action(there is action by the way) so it loses some points for that.
9 out of 14 people found the following review useful: A good crime drama well worth watching if only to set up the superb sequel, 3 December 2006 Author: TrevorAclea from London, England
Despite a tight narrative, Johnnie To's Election feels at times like it was once a longer picture, with many characters and plot strands abandoned or ultimately unresolved. Some of these are dealt with in the truly excellent and far superior sequel, Election 2: Harmony is a Virtue, but it's still a dependably enthralling thriller about a contested Triad election that bypasses the usual shootouts and explosions (though not the violence) in favour of constantly shifting alliances that can turn in the time it takes to make a phone call. It's also a film where the most ruthless character isn't always the most threatening one, as the chilling ending makes only too clear: one can imagine a lifetime of psychological counselling being necessary for all the trauma that one inflicts on one unfortunate bystander.Simon Yam, all too often a variable actor but always at his best under To's direction, has possibly never been better in the lead, not least because Tony Leung's much more extrovert performance makes his stillness more the powerful.
9 out of 14 people found the following review useful: Director Johnny To dependable as ever, 25 October 2005 Author: Harry T. Yung (harry_tk_yung@yahoo.com) from Hong Kong
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
If I were to use one word to describe director Johnny To, the word that comes to mind immediately is "dependable". Unquestionably the most prolific director in Hong Kong today, To brings something new to each movie he makes and yet maintains a consistent quality. My personal favourite of his work will always be "The Mission" (1999), the pinnacle of a stylish "gun" movie surrounding an ensemble of fascinating characters."Election" (or "Hek she wui", the underworld) which competed in Cannes earlier this year is another good one from To, following his traditional crisp, no-nonsense and unpretentious direction. The story line is simple. There are no cheap contrivances at unnecessarily convoluted plot or vulgar pretence at unrealistic depth here. Just a solid, well thought out and beautifully executed movie that is thoroughly enjoyable.The story focuses on the fight between two top contenders for the top job overseeing a loose confederation of localised gangs. The cut-throat political power struggle depicted in the movie may easily be found in a large corporation. One need not get too hung up on figuring out the various vying gangs, in three generations, covering two territories (Hong Kong and Guangzhou). You pretty well know that when everything has been said and done, you would have seen allegiance, change of allegiance, confrontations, compromises, loyalties, double-crossings and betrayals, and everything in between. Just sit back and enjoy the mounting tension in a well-told story and, even more so, the rich pageantry of colourful characters.And what characters we have! Leading the pack is the "most wanted" star for the role of underworld bosses, Simon Yam. He plays soft spoken, mild-mannered Lok, who seems almost too nice to be where he is, until……(well, let me not spoil the fun). Leung Ka-fai demonstrates convincingly what an accomplished actor he is. In polarised contrast to the ageing, fate-beaten photographer he played in "Everlasting Regret" (which was actually shot AFTER "Election"), he portrayed Lok's nemesis "Big D" with such explosive intensity that not even the automatic choice for such characters, Francis Ng Chun-yu, could have done any better.Those who are disappointed because the supporting characters have no depth have entirely missed the point. These personas are there to enrich and propel the story, not for character studies. There are Louis Koo as the cool, up-and-coming contender, Lam Suet as the upholder of traditional values of loyalty, deadly fiery Cheung Ka-fai, efficient and seasoned Lam Ka-tung, all of whom will undoubtedly have a significant role in the sequel (yes! And probably more). Wong Tin-lum, who purportedly had to be cajoled by director To into not wearing his suspenders to keep his trousers around his massive waistline, plays the revered old gangster who tries to settle the dispute between Lok and Big-D. David Chiang (not credited) is the police chief who rounds up the rivalling gangs so that they can carry out their negotiation in the secured comfort of the prison cells. And there's more, much more."Election" did not bring home any prizes from Cannes, but certainly deserves its spot there earlier this year.
16 out of 28 people found the following review useful: Brotherhood of Power, 22 October 2005 Author: samuelding85 from Singapore
Election marks the 2nd trial society theme movie directed by Johnnie To.To marvellously casted Simon Yan and Tony Leung Kar Fai as Lok and Big D, as the two trial members who were chosen as candidates for the position of chairman for Ho Sing society, a 100 year old trial society.While Lok is a man who keeps his cool at all times, Big D is not only impatient, but also thinks that he is on top of everything. Lok was chosen as the next chairman for 2 years. To have the total control of the gang, the newly elected chairman must be passed down with a Dragon Baton, which represents power and authority. Big D was extremely unhappy with the results that he was not chosen to be the next chairman after paying a handsome figure of bribes to the council members. He ordered his man to get the Baton before it falls onto the hands of Lok.While Big D is getting the Baton, Lok has other plans for him.This is one of the trial society theme movies where not much bloodshed is needed. Johnnie To puts the greed of the human beings in the movie, where bloodshed is commonly used in other trial society theme movies to show how the greed of human beings can caused the death or the downfall of one. However, no single bullet is used, hardly any gangfights are involved in Election. It's the battle of the wits that makes Election stands out of the rest.Apart from Maggie Shiu, the only actress in Election with less than 5 lines to talk in the whole movie, masculinity rules the whole movie. Louis Koo and Nick Cheung, who was seen in To's previous film, are casted as an undercover cop and a gangster who sold his life to the gang respectively. Together with some of the veteran actors making their appearance in the film and the excellent script, it makes the only HK movie to represent Cannes Fil Festival 2005.Election has hardly failed any critics who wants an different trial society theme movie.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Don't talk to me until you have the baton!, 22 August 2009 Author: lastliberal from Florida
The first of two films by Johnny To, this film won many awards, but none so prestigious as a Cannes Golden Palm nomination.The Triad elects their leader, but it is far from democratic with the behind the scenes machinations.Tony Leung Ka Fai (Zhou Yu's Train, Ashes of Time Redux) is Big D, who plans to take the baton no matter what it takes, even if it means a war. Well, war is not going to happen as that is bad for business. Big D will change his tune or...Good performances by Simon Yam, Louis Koo and Ka Tung Lam (Infernal Affairs I & III), along with Tony Leung Ka Fai.Whether Masons, made men in the Mafia, or members of the Wo Sing Society, the ceremonies are the same; fascinating to watch.To be continued...
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Good Director's and Actors. Wrong Script., 10 February 2009 Author: kavinps from United States
This film has some great directing with its suspense theme and its few dramatic moments and also some great first class acting. Johnny To is a great and wonderful director. The cast was pretty neat too. But I found that there were major problems with the script. First of all the story doesn't seem to develop that much and isn't that interesting at all. The beginning was good and simple with them talking about the election and stuff. Then while it progressed all I saw was some people talking about how the election was going and stuff. There was no drama at all except for some scenes where they kidnapped a few members of the enemy elective party for ransom and also don't forget the shock that happened in the end which I won't reveal for spoiler reasons. The only that kept me moving in the film was some of the interesting facts they gave us about Triad street life in the movie. It's a movie I would watch once and never watch it again because it deserves some awards and recognitions for great acting and directing but should be laughed at for terrible story line.
2 out of 3 people found the following review useful: A skeptic convinced . . ., 22 March 2007 Author: the_diceman from Germany
I always thought this would be a long and boring Talking-Heads flick full of static interior takes, dude, I was wrong. "Election" is a highly fascinating and thoroughly captivating thriller-drama, taking a deep and realistic view behind the origins of Triads-Rituals. Characters are constantly on the move, and although as a viewer you kinda always remain an outsider, it's still possible to feel the suspense coming from certain decisions and ambitions of the characters. Furthermore Johnnie To succeeds in creating some truly opulent images due to meticulously composed lighting and atmospheric light-shadow contrasts. Although there's hardly any action, the ending is still shocking in it's ruthless depicting of brutality. Cool movie that deserves more attention, and I came to like the minimalistic acoustic guitar score quite a bit.
The scepter of the Wo Sing clan, 2 July 2009 Author: Cristi_Ciopron from CGSM, Soseaua Nationala 49
Johnnie To's ELECTION has some cool music on the opening credits—and a nice opening credits' design too, a kaleidoscope of Chinese characters and those Asian mobsters solemnly taking an oath or uttering some sacred stuff; as a matter of fact the whole flick is nicely scored. I have found about To from Bishop Seraphim Sigrist and was quite eager to see a To movie. The one with which I began, ELECTION, is exciting and interesting, and only moderately violent by nowadays standards—moderately and also essentially violent; the story of an Asian godfather's scheming, it uses a puzzle play of elements, violent facts from the mobsters' lives, the race for the scepter, true details, and as with Coppola we are expected to believe that some of the morally glamorized mobsters are entitled and nice and likable. The performances are reasonably amusing and colorful.ELECTION is well made in the enjoyable, somewhat careless style of the Hong Kong fare; the ending is bitter, true, straight and will scare the kids.
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