Like his most sublime crime film, The Mission, To used a minimum of dialogue and a maximum of cinematic staging to explore the subjects of PTU. Actions speak more loudly than words. Johnnie To keeps things moving with a steady-and deceptively still- pace, and even when the film seems to go nowhere, nuggets of satisfaction are easily gleamed.

"PTU" became the biggest winner at the 2004 Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Awards, going home with six prizes.