Louis Koo

Hong Kong genre maestro Johnnie To (The Mission) stretched with richly rewarding ambition to make this gangster saga. Tracking the backroom politics (and bloodletting) of a gang’s leadership transition, it’s a gripping account of the inner workings and codes of honor of the city’s organized crime.

One of Hong Kong director Johnnie To’s masterpieces: a gangster film, as well as a sequel that boldly stands on its own. Following the nail-biting electoral process within a triad gang, Election 2 is a deceptive yet welcome reminder that all gangster films are political.