Election 2 (2006) - A Review

 

Election 2 is a dark and grim sequel.

Election 2 (also known as Election 2: Harmony Is A Virtue and Triad Election) is a Triad/crime film released in Hong Kong in 2006 starring Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Simon Yam Tat-Wah, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Nick Cheung Ka-Fai, Lam Suet, Andy On Chi-Kit, Jonathan Lee Yat-Sing, and Wong Tin-Lam. Election 2 was directed by Johnnie To Kei-Fung, with action choreographed by Ling Chun-Pong. Election 2 is a direct continuation of Election (2005).

Louis Koo plays Jimmy Lee, a Triad member who wants to be a legitimate businessman.

In Election 2, Lam Lok's (played by Simon Yam Tat-Wah) two-year term as chairman of the Wo Lin Shing triad is almost up, and there are members who want the position: Kun (played by Gordon Lam Ka-Tung), an overtly aggressive triad member who feels he deserves a chance as chairman after going to jail for helping Lam Lok secure his position; Jet (played by Nick Cheung Ka-Fai), an assassin that Lam Lok has promised to make the next chairman; and Jimmy Lee (played by Louis Koo Tin-Lok), a business-savvy triad member who has a business deal going in mainland China, and wants to become a legitimate businessman. Because of his business success and the massive amount of money he is making for himself and the triad, Jimmy is the top choice for chairman.

Jimmy does not want to become chairman; he wants to move to China with his wife and start a family there. Unfortunately, Jimmy finds out that if he wants to do business in China, he will have to become chairman and help the police keep Wo Lin Shing under control. Jimmy accepts the offer, and then does everything he can to become chairman. While this is going on, we find out that Lam Lok does not want to give up his position, and wants to run for re-election (which is against the rules). Lam Lok does whatever he can to maintain control of the situation while also dealing with his son's (played by Jonathan Lee Yat-Sing) growing delinquency. As you can imagine, betrayals, murders, switching allegiances, and breaking of moral codes abound.

Simon Yam as Lam Lok. He does not want to give up his position as chairman.

Election 2 is a much darker and more violent movie than Election. The previous movie is kind of a set up to this movie (obviously). It is not really necessary to have seen the first movie to enjoy this one, but a lot of the things that happen in this movie hit harder if you've seen the first one. The story is very interesting, with a lot of twists and turns throughout. Power has changed Lam Lok, and he is not really the same person he was in the previous movie. Jimmy Lee goes from someone who wants nothing to do with the Triad life, to someone who become very proficient in Triad tactics. Some of the things Jimmy does shocks even the most hardened Triad members. Simon Yam is great in this, as is Louis Koo, who has a heck of a performance as Jimmy. At first you root for Jimmy, but as the movie goes on, you wonder how far he will go to become chairman.

Power and money corrupts...

 This movie has a lot more action than the first one, though there is only one fight scene once again. The fight involves knives and choppers/machetes. It's a pretty good fight, and once again fits the tone of the movie. Andy On, who is a martial artist, has a role in this movie, but he does not have a major action or fight scene. At least he plays one of the more sympathetic characters. Nonetheless, there is a lot more brutal violence in Election 2. A certain character crosses the line, and his actions shock his allies. This is the most disturbing scene in the movie, for sure.

In conclusion, Election 2 is the violent and gritty conclusion to Lam Lok's and Jimmy Lee's path to chairman. I highly recommend watching this movie. It is well made, well paced, with a very interesting story and characters, and some brutal violence as well. The acting is top notch. Simon Yam and Louis Koo kill it in their roles. This movie has a great soundtrack as well. Check it out, and be prepared for some shocking turns of events. This is another movie where you'll be thinking about it long after it's done.

Reviewed by David Williams