
Watches
December 03, 2005
A pivotal film in Johnnie To's oeuvre. The Election duology is often seen as one of the high points of Hong Kong cinema, and this first part was instrumental in cementing To's name in post-Handover Hong Kong cinema. I'm not the biggest fan, my clear preference is with the second part, but To's talent for crime cinema is undeniable.
Hong Kong's oldest and most influential Triad is about to change leadership. This is always a volatile time, but things get worse when the traditional scepter has gone missing. The scepter has to be found as quickly as possible, before others get wind of the disappearance, which may jeopardize the future of the syndicate.
The cast is superb, it's nice to get a somewhat more serious and down-to-earth rendition of the Triad genre, and some of To's trademark skills are already in full effect. The first half was a bit too slow and dry for my liking though, and compared to the second film, it's just a bit too basic. Still, if you care about Hong Kong crime cinema, this is essential viewing.
More by the director
Johnnie To

Sparrow

Exiled

Mad Detective

Flying Butterfly

Turn Left Turn Right

Election 2

Vengeance

PTU

Throw Down

Triangle

Drug War

Fulltime Killer

Blind Detective

A Hero Never Dies

Breaking News

Chasing Dream

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Help!!!

High Altitude of Love II

Justice, My Foot

Life without Principle

Loving You

Office

Running Out of Time

The Longest Nite

The Mad Monk

Three

Where a Good Man Goes

Yesterday Once More

1:99 Shorts

Casino Raiders II

Fat Choi Spirit

Heroic Trio 2: Executioners

Love on a Diet

Lucky Encounter

My Left Eye Sees Ghosts

Needing You

Running on Karma

Running Out of Time 2

The Barefoot Kid

The Mission

Wu Yen

A Moment of Romance III

Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2

The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon

The Heroic Trio

The Royal Scoundrel

All about Ah-Long

Love for All Seasons

The Enigmatic Case

The Story of My Son

Fireline

Happy Ghost III

The Eighth Happiness

Seven Years Itch
