This is in my opinion the weakest of the series. Characterization was the strong point of the first movie, and IF2 was a classic Triad film with some decent action thrown in. None of these strengths are evident in the third film. It seems to be about Andy Lau’s character Ming’s decent in to madness, but I feel that it didn’t quite work.

IF3 has Andy Lau as well as Tony Leung, Eric Tsang, and Anthony Wong back. Half the movie is in flashback form (it has to be because most of the characters are dead by the time of the movie), and the other half is in the present day.

Ming has been cleared of any wrong doing in the death of Tony Leung’s undercover cop. Before being sent back to his department, he gets placed in a desk job for a short period of time until things settle down. His personal goal is to find out all of the other moles that were planted into the police force by his old Triad boss Sam (Tsang). He is immediately suspicious of SP Yeung (Leon Lai), a rival officer who appears to have it out for him. As with any of the IF movies however, things are not always what they seem to be, and maybe some people are beginning to be suspicions of Ming.

As mentioned, I think this movie had something planned, but it just seems to go nowhere. While it is good to see Tsang, Wong, and Leung in flashback form, nothing of importance is really added to the plot. If anything, even more storyline inconsistencies (a problem in IF2) are developed. What we are left with is a meandering plot that just drags. There is some build up towards the end, but even that fizzles out and nothing much happens. The ending has no absolutely no payoff and I was left with a “what was the point” feeling. Action is also non-existent in this film.

This was a sad way to end a great series. Production values are outstanding however, as well as the picture quality and sound. The film does gain a point or two due to having great actors, and being part of a successful series.