Remakes

Infernal Affairs (2002)

The original film was made and set in Hong Kong. It is the story of two friends who attended police academy together. One is an undercover cop and the other a police department mole. They are both trying to uncover the other. The main themes are that of loyalty and identity with undercurrents of Buddhism, the film's Cantonese title translates as "The Unceasing Path" and is a reference to the lowest level of hell.

The Departed (2006)

In the remake the action is relocated to Boston and the criminals are Irish-American. The Departed is a much longer film with a runtime of 1hr 51 min compared to Infernal Affair's 1hr 1 min. Much more time is spent on characterisation however The Departed takes elements from the entire Infernal Affairs' trilogy. To add a sense of realism the main antagonist, Frank Costello, was based on real life criminal Whitey Bulger.

Infernal Affairs vs. The Departed - Rooftop Scene

Spider-man (2002)

Based on the iconic Marvel character this is an origin story. Peter Parker is an orphan raised by his Aunt and Uncle. He is a nerdy, shy high school student with a crush on his next door neighbour Mary Jane Watson. After he is bitten by a genetically enhanced spider he gains super powers and is spurred on by the death of his uncle to use his powers for good. The film is bright and glossy and really captures the feel of the original comic. For me Tobey Maguire is Peter Parker!

The Amazing Spider-man (2011)

This is also a Spider-man origin story but more time is spent on Peter Parker's biological parents who do not even appear in the 2002 version. Peter Parker is still in high school but the love interest in this film is Gwen Stacey. In my opinion Andrew Garfield looks too cool to be Peter Parker with his lustrous hair and skateboarding skills, however many people have praised his portrayal of Peter Parker's alter ego Spider-man as closer to the wisecracking hero in the comics.

Scarface (1932)

The film is set in the 1920's during America's Prohibition Era. It is based on a 1929 novel, itself loosely based on the career of Al Capone. The protagonist is Tony Camonte an Italian immigrant who works his way up selling illegal liquor. He ignores his boss' advice not to mess with the Irish gangs and pursues his girlfriend Poppy. Tony is inspired by a billboard for Cook's Tours which states "The World is Yours." The original script caused some problems with the censors as the film was made when the Hay's code was in effect.

Scarface (1983)

The action is relocated to Miami in the early 1980s. Tony is now a Cuban immigrant with the surname Montana who arrives during the 1980 Mariel boatlift. Instead of liquor it is cocaine that Tony is peddling and his boss advice is "don't get high on your own supply" which he later ignores. His boss' girlfriend is now Elvira and the billboard becomes a blimp. The 1980s version is much more graphic and had it's own trouble with the censors who originally wanted to rate it an X but after an appeal it was lowered to an R. It is shot in colour and is 77 minutes longer.