Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: William Monahan
Based on the screenplay by: Alan Mak and Felix Chong
Produced by: Brad Grey, Graham King and Brad Pitt
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Studio: Warner Brothers Pictures

Most people are like myself and when they hear of Hollywood remaking another masterpiece from the other side of the globe they will shudder and feel that it can be disrespectful to the original source. Not in the case of Marin Scorsese's The Departed, where he's back on form with what will no doubt be the best film by the end of 2006. When you hear that a master like Scorsese is going to direct a film like The Departed you suddenly get overwhelmed with the knowledge that you know it will be something special. The Departed is based on an Asian cop Vs criminal film named Infernal Affairs that since 2002 has managed to spawn two sequels and now the remake The Departed.

When a director like Scorsese gets on a project like The Departed you know that you're in for a treat and with its wonderful cast you're going to be hard done not be impressed. There is a certain responsibility The Departed has and that's the fact it has to be respectful to Infernal Affairs and does not steal the film's original premise. It has to keep the original story, but remember to make it individual and unique. So The Departed pays respect to Infernal Affairs while adding the needed significant changes and that's where The Departed succeeds.

Whether you hate remakes or not all goes out the window because the film becomes a unique piece of work that only Scorsese could have done. Many other directors would have felt inclined to stay close to the tight knitted story, but Scorsese adds many changes and development so that he can make the work his own.

My favourite aspect of the film is the intense proportion of skill in the acting from the entire cast of greats. The acting is the most dominant part of the film and you become so absorbed by the characters that you'll forget about the film's two and a half hour running time. Every single actor and actress has a personality and a certain technique to their character which helps you come to understand them better. The enhanced range of styles and wonderful capabilities everyone shows just how much time and effort was put into the film. The cast includes the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio who's performance is in fact the best of his career and also the best the performance the film has to offer, he truly succeeds at holding the film together. You've also got other excellent performances from Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and the gritty work of Ray Winstone.

Mixing crime and drama perfectly the film sets out to be a modern masterpiece of the cop Vs criminal genre. The technique used to tell the story is brilliant and smoothly paced; it's a distinctive style that has a trademark stamped all over it. The original soundtrack is one that perfect suits the scenes it accompanies and the stark direction captures the crime perfectly. There are many powerful moments to accompany the film and it is at times quite heartfelt. From start to finish you become gripped to the intelligent and intense plot line. There's also a psychological element to the film and moral subtext to the characters, which is terrific.

In the end The Departed does become a better film than Infernal Affairs and this owed to the original otherwise The Departed would have been a lost case. One of the best films of the last few years, a must see for anybody interested in film and for the sheer entertainment value this film has to offer.