Johnnie To, at the height of his game at the time (the man has still has the ability to churn out fresh movies without outshaping himself), decided to venture into the clichéd gangster genre of the 80s and make some big changes as far as characterization and injecting elements go. The result is a gangster tale told uniquely: with male-bounding, betrayal, respect, love and anger being executed like no other movies has done in a similar way. In other words, taking out the homo-eroticism out of such a movie will get one a whole new experience watching movies of the genre instead.

The way To handles the storytelling pretty much highlights everything you otherwise would think is clichéd, lame and boring to watch and this is what makes To the brilliant filmmaker he really is, which also brings me to another aspect of the movie. While irony has proved to be something of an artistic tool in movies (which what I like about To's movies), it certainly doesn't mean it's flawless. There are certain scenes that I thought ruined the mood of the movie, even when it's supposed to be ironic and out of place. I don't know, maybe it's just me because I prefer things to be stylish and go into context (in this case in the ironic way). But since that's how To wanted to executed those scenes, I'll just leave it at that (and start to appreciate them the more I watch the movie).

Overall this is quite a movie, gathering up top talents together in one: Johnnie To's direction is innovative and refreshing and the gathered upped cast is great: Leon Lai, Lau Ching Wan, Fiona Leung, Yoyo Mung, Henry Fong Ping, Yen Shi Kwan and Yuen Bun; coupled with Yau Nai Hoi's and Szeto Kam Yuen's brilliant script, Wai Kai Fai's contribution, Yuen Bun's intense action co-ordination, Cheung Siu Keung's beautiful cinematography and Raymond Wong's haunting music score: resulting yet another successful movie by Milkyway Image!