A Better Tomorrow (1986) Reviews

A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Member Rating:  
John Woo established himself as one of Hong Kong's premiere action directors with this ultra-hip, ultra-violent action classic. The film centers around the complex relationship between two brothers: Sung Tse-kit (Leslie Cheung) is a recent graduate of the police academy while Tse-ho (Ti Lung) runs a massive counterfeiting ring along with his gangland associate, Mark Lee (Chow Yun-fat). Tension between the two brothers comes to a head when their father is murdered after a crime deal goes sour and Tse-ho lands in jail after being double-crossed. In perhaps the most influential scene in Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s, Mark avenges his friend by staging a dinner table assassination. As Mark tries to shoot his way out of the restaurant, pulling a series of hidden pistols from potted plants and alcoves, he gets horribly injured. With both founding members of the counterfeiting syndicate incapacitated, the operation falls into the hands of Shing (Waise Lee Chi-hung), Tse-ho's former underling who has little of his boss' élan or experience. When Tse-ho gets out of jail, he reunites with his now-crippled comrade, Mark, to take out Shing and to protect Tse-kit whose life is in danger for investigating their former subordinate. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Starring:
Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, (more)
Director(s):
John Woo
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(7 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Andy N.

Not a lot of action in this film, which would normally be fine (the acting was great and the plot was engaging) except that the subtitles were terribly translated. A film that relies so heavily on dialogue must be better translated. Otherwise, definitely worth a watch.

Yes   |   No


Parry L.

old school kung fu its a classic

Yes   |   No


Danny C.

AWESOME. A venerable Hong Kong action film with Chow Yun-Fat in his prime.

Yes   |   No


Michael L.

Though "A Better Tomorrow" isn't as refined as "Killer" or even "Hardboiled", but it's the first film that had made the John Woo/Chow Yat Fat combo a success. If I understand my film history correctly, it's also the first successful film of Chow Yat Fat holding a gun!! Essentially, it's more a drama compared to other Woo's films. However, the scene where Chow avenged in Taiwan (and got his leg shot) was a little classic!!!

Yes   |   No


Steven M.

Chow Yun-Fat plays almost a secondary role in this film. Essentially no martial arts to speak of - but it gave the actors the ability to actually act. Great and in-depth character development. There were some fight scenes but they mostly involved guns. There were also an inordinate amount of barrels.... This is an older, lower budget import flick. There is a little graininess to the film and the sound is fair. For about 15 minutes there were two small white spots on the film (distracting to me but not my wife). Either they used the same camera for a number of sequential shots, or it was on the lens used for the DVD transfer. Hardly any extras.

Yes   |   No


Richard W.

When you are in the role of sidekick and you steal the top billing from the lead actor there must be a reason. Chow Yun Fat should be the fourth billed actor in this movie but from the moment you see him you know it is all his. Good action scenes and some stuff about friendship and loyalty but who cares- Chow, Chow, Chow.

Yes   |   No


Dave C.

I rented this hoping that it would compare to Woo's great films "The Killer" and "Hardboiled." While there are a couple of good action scenes, this is mostly a pretty talky movie. That's not neccessarily a bad thing, but "Better Tomorrow" is just not a great dramatic movie. If action is what you are looking for, rent either "The Killer" or "Hardboiled" instead.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (7)
     
    Andy N.

    Not a lot of action in this film, which would normally be fine (the acting was great and the plot was engaging) except that the subtitles were terribly translated. A film that relies so heavily on dialogue must be better translated. Otherwise, definitely worth a watch.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Parry L.

    old school kung fu its a classic

    Yes   |   No

     
    Danny C.

    AWESOME. A venerable Hong Kong action film with Chow Yun-Fat in his prime.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 7 Reviews
       

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