Hi to all,

I guess many reviews would have done a great job highlighting what is so good about The Departed or so good about the Infernal Affairs ... so let me do the remaining by comparing the two ... as there are many aspects, I shall highlight only the "essence" that was lost (if any) ...

In order for me to elaborate what I like about The Departed or Infernal Affairs, I guess I need to highlight some spoilers ... oh no ... but if you have already watched either, I guess it is ok ... ha ha ha

* major spoilers *

What is better in The Departed ...

(i) well well well, the film does look more "real" in terms of its grittiness, violence, language, costume and entire depiction of the "culture" ... *applause * ... thanks to the great ensemble of cast ... 

(ii) the scene whereby the "nitwit" realizes who is the undercover (becos he gave the wrong address, but leonardo appeared correctly) ... wow, for a moment you wonder whether Leonardo is gonna kill him ...

(iii) by combining the two gals into one, it has its pros (cons to be discussed later) ... in a way, she signifies the common idealism that seeks to illuminate the path of the two male protagonists ... as they try their best to be a better person ...

What "essence" gets lost in The Departed ... implying Infernal Affairs had it, but The Departed lost it ...

(i) It is NOT just about a different ending, but the ESSENCE (purpose) of the original ending ... to a critical mind, I would say that the original ending should be considered much better
i.e., with the villain being alive ... 

the film then challenges all of us: 
-- Does the world have a benevolent and forgiving heart? Are we willing to pardon a villain if he decides to turn over a new leaf? Do we even believe they will change?
-- In life, do we always have a second chance?
-- In reality, does the good always "live" and the bad always die? and if not, how should we live?
etc

PS: In Infernall Affairs, I also think there was "more desire" to be good on Andy Lau's side, such that in order to start becoming good, he has to erase his past, thereby committing more bad ... but if he does not, can he even be accepted into the world of good guys? ... In The Departed, I think there was less evidence of Matt trying to be good ...

(ii) I think Leonardo deserves it ... and he may just garner the Best Actor award ... wow ... but Leonardo and Tony Leong opted for a VERY different portrayal ... In Infernal Affairs, Tony speculated that if you have to be an undercover for so many years (8 years, 10 years, etc) ... you have to try to "live" "normally" by seeking "happiness/smiles" etc even during your undercover days ... you cannot keep showing a painful face ... hence, friendship is built, romance is established, life goes on, etc ... unlike most depiction of undercover, it should not be just about pain and agony and struggle ... that was why in Infernal Affairs, there are times whereby Tony was at peace with himself ... but in The Departed, Leonardo opted for the constantly divided/agonized undercover ...

(iii) The bond between the nitwit and the undercover cop is gone ... such that when the nitwit died, the audience felt less ... in the Infernal Affairs, I think the audience felt more ... but it is more than a subplot/minor character ... it is about whether friendships are established, it is about trust even amidst distrust, it is about struggle when you finally have to abandon them (when you reveal your identity, etc) ... life becomes more gray than good vs bad ... 

(iv) By combining the two gals into one, i have to say that after watching The Departed, I was more compelled to understanding why Matt and her is a couple, I am less convinced why Leonardo and her is a couple ...

(v) The brilliance of the "morse code" was totally gone ... ;(

* end of spoilers

After lots of contemplation, I finally conclude (in my very humble opinion) that The Departed was only better in terms of its violence and depiction ... But for the Infernal Affairs, it is definitely more philosophical and thought provoking ... wow ...

* applause to both films *