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Audio Format: Dolby Digital 6.1EX / DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 / LPCM7.1
Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) (1080P)
Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
Subtitles: English, Chinese (T/S)
Region Code: A
Year Made: 2007
Running Time:111
Release Date: 01/31/2008
The story revolves around drug trafficking with Andy Lau as the major heroin dealer, grooming his successor, Daniel Wu, to take over the business. The film, financed by England, US, China, Hong Kong and Singapore is produced by Peter Chan.
 Despite the film's obvious allusions to the Infernal Affairs trilogy Protege does stand on its own merit for the most part. The blurred lines of good and bad are still fuzzy and Andy Lau is still the charming rogue. But even with an overwrought and overstated script, Protege has its fair share of grandstanding that still ends up being fun and I dare say, quite astute. There's no ambiguity surrounding the film's overarching message. It does not take both sides eventually, something that plagues many crime dramas when they succumb to wanton idolisation of crime syndicates and drug cartels. If writer-director, Derek Yee's sleeve is read correctly, his stance is simple and non-negotiable drug trafficking is evil.
As one of Asia's most bankable leads, Andy Lau adds another notch to his mantle following Battle of Wits. A strong performance as an aging drug lord in Protege follows his turn as a Mozi warrior. Despite being a starring vehicle for young gun Daniel Wu, Andy Lau's presence is a prime factor in the duo's key scenes together as teacher and protege. The narrative is uncomplicated (but proceeds with an in media res beginning), as it introduces to us a victim of the heroin (the drug of choice in this film) industry, Jane (Zhang Jing Chu) who feeds into the vein of apparent determinism regarding the rampant use of drugs amongst the poverty stricken, perpetuating a cycle that is as senseless as it is damning. Indeed, Protege tentatively inquires early on if the slight distraction of drug use is worse than the emptiness and constant temptations felt by those living in the grimy shadows of society's margins.
The film tells of a well-intentioned narcotics agent, Nick (Daniel Wu) deep undercover in the heart of Hong Kong's lucrative heroin trade. He is forced to deal with the hypocrisy and despair in a life of drugs and crime, as he plays protege to one of the key players of the game, "Banker" (Andy Lau). In the eight years he has been infiltrating the heroin industry, he finds himself corrupted by the easy money and his new found power. Unable to separate himself from his undercover persona, he immerses himself into his role as a drug trafficker.
Special Features
- Shooting Diary
- Deleted Scenes
- Making of
- Ultimate Fighters
- Theatrical / Teaser Trailers
- TV Spots
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