Triad Election
  • Studio: Tartan
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2007
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    Set two years later, the sequel's the better film.
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Joshua Katzman
    70
    As in the first movie, To deftly references the "Godfather" trilogy, examining the moral equivocation and shifting alliances among various syndicate members.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    91
    A muscular sequel to To's riveting 2005 gangster picture "Election."
  4. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    90
    Outside of "Grindhouse," it may be the most bang for your buck to be had in a Los Angeles movie theater this season.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    80
    Like any good sequel, this film takes what is familiar with the original's concept -- in this case, an internecine struggle for supremacy -- and deepens it.
  6. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    75
    Plenty of films owe a debt to "The Godfather," but it's rare to see inspiration used as successfully as it is here.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Nobody familiar with To will be surprised by the way he presents stylish violence in innovative and humorous ways.
  8. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    75
    If you're willing to do the work, Triad Election pays you in tragedy.
  9. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    80
    In To's movies no one is innocent, and the social corruption has reached down to the soul. He orchestrates action scenes with an elegance that suggests Scorsese.
  10. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    75
    This is an extremely violent movie, with one long gory scene that's particularly hard to stomach. The great majority of Triad Election is about political maneuvering, but when the conversations end, the blood flows mightily.
  11. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    91
    Cements director's place as mob-movie master.
  12. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    91
    Like the best crime stories, this one isn't about how the bad guys live, it's about how WE live.
  13. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kerr
    80
    It's not all violence and brutality. To allows his morbid sense of humor to shine through. There are moments of absurd hilarity that don't necessarily lighten the mood so much as bring it down to earth. The performances are strong all around.
  14. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    90
    More elegantly plotted and streamlined than the first film.
  15. Variety
    Reviewed by: Russell Edwards
    80
    Distinguished by intelligence, wit and violence but is lightly wounded by some ill-fitting moments.
  16. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michelle Orange
    80
    To's take on the plight of the modern gangste is inspired.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Nesbitt10
    9
    More "Godfather" with flashes of "Goodfellas", Jonnie To's modern day classic is the exception to the rule of sequels. The story revolves around two main characters, Lok who is the current head of the family (and served the maximum of two terms), and Jimmy who is next in line. Lok will not step down, and Jimmy must prove he has what it takes. Stunning cinematography and excellent performances. An otherwise ordinary storyline enhanced by Mr. To's remarkable talents, and an atmosphere of tranquillity interrupted by moments of intense violence.… Full Review »
  2. MarcK.
    5
    Somewhat disappointing. Very stylish, and I can see why it was so widely acclaimed. But in the end, very little soul.
  3. KenG.
    4
    I have to admit, I haven't seen the first movie (Election) that this is a sequel to, and if I had, maybe my view would be different. But a good sequel should be able to stand on it own, and this doesn't. The first half of the movie is slow, very talky, and vague (I had trouble making sense of what was going on, and who everyone was, but again, maybe that would have been different if I had seen the first movie). There is a lot of brutal violence in the second half, to hold your attention, but this comes across more as just a collection of scenes with brutal violence, than it does coherent story telling.… Full Review »
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