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Review

A Hong Kong Triad organization, the Wo Shing Society, has two determined contenders running for its chairman seat: the controlled, intelligent Lok and the frantic, explosive Big D. When his attempts to bribe voters fails, Big D lets loose with a violent assault on his peers and threatens to launch a new Triad organization if the ceremonial baton — handed down to each successive godfather — isn’t turned over immediately. The police attempt to prevent a full-fledged mob war by locking up the Wo Shing leaders, while Big D’s lackeys hunt for the hidden baton. In stark contrast to To’s Exiled, not a single gun is brandished. Instead, To artfully examines the changing nature of today’s Hong Kong mafia, which sees ancient traditions and honor codes discarded in lieu of unchecked ambition and greed. Of course, a To film isn’t complete without a couple of action set pieces, plot twists and shocking bursts of violence, and with the bonus of a scenerychewing performance by Tony Leung as the insane Big D, this is a winning Election. (Cantonese, Mandarin with English subtitles)

 -- Lawrence Ferber