No, the Asian ending is bleaker because how the storytelling connects with the movie’s Chinese title 无间道, a Buddhist philosophy of hell that is terrifyingly grim & ominous. The sequels, even with their convoluted plots & less satisfying presentations, were also focused on the same affliction. In fact, the film…

Americans can’t fathom moral conflicts like the rest of the world does, you see.

Agree with you. The article reads like a Neocon’s take.