But "Election" turned out to be a fantastic gangster drama. For most of us fans of Asian films, triads tend to be stock bad guys that rogue cops and kung fu vigilantes hunt down to exact their revenge. I enjoyed this because it gave a real perspective and depth to a group of characters we've seen hundreds of times, but never really gotten to know.

Like the "Godfather" saga (1 and 2) it's not just about guns and illegal activities. It's about family, leadership, tradition, personalities, conflicts, and so much more. The story is basically about the bi-annual triad chairman election and the two top candidates and their power-plays to get the top spot. It's the nice, level-headed conservative candidate vs. the rock star.

What I loved about this film is the way it played out like a chess game. You sit back eagerly waiting to see what the player's next move will be. And it's all captured with that fantastic Johnnie To style. Very smooth and dynamic, with an excellent, inconspicuous musical score.

The story is one set of twists and turns after another. Sometimes you see what's coming and sometimes you don't. Fans of movies like "Infernal Affairs" should really enjoy this. But it is not an action flick. If you're looking for kung fu or guns, not here. You'll be doing some heavy reading at times on the subtitles, but it's worth it.

The story feels a little unfinished. . .because it is. Part 2 picks up exactly where you want it to, and it's based around the characters you want it to be. Checking out both is a must.

Bottom line, anyone who's into crime dramas or gangster films should definitely enjoy this one. It's not as over-the-top as "Scarface" or as epic as "The Godfather". But "Election" can certainly hold its own with the best of them.