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A Better Tomorrow
1986
John Woo's forays into Hollywood cinema have revealed just how childish a lot of his material can feel when it is delivered without the clouding medium of subtitles. In his earlier Hong Kong movies it is possible to allow that the melodramatic, risible and at times confusing dialogue--a disgruntled gangster exclaims "Nobody .. Read more
| Starring | Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Emily Chu |
|---|---|
| Director | John Woo |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema |
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A Better Tomorrow
John Woo's forays into Hollywood cinema have revealed just how childish a lot of his material can feel when it is delivered without the clouding medium of subtitles. In his earlier Hong Kong movies it is possible to allow that the melodramatic, risible and at times confusing dialogue--a disgruntled gangster exclaims "Nobody dares not give me face!" and after being shot about 43 times two of the heroes concede "Yes. We're not right"--is at least in part due to clumsy translation. However, when added to a complex plot of twin brothers, undercover cops and honourable gangsters in A Better Tomorrow II, it can often be quite difficult to keep track of what is going on, especially if you haven't seen the original. Restaurant owner Ken (Chow Yun Fat), "secret" twin brother of the dead main character of the first movie, leaves New York and returns to Hong Kong after an old friend's daughter is murdered. There he re-assembles the group of four heroes from the original movie to exact revenge and bring down a counterfeiting ring. The film loosely addresses Woo's pet themes of loyalty, betrayal and honour but, as always, any exposition is merely the excuse for a series of violent and over-the-top shoot-outs. Here the action is a long time coming, but delivers much as you would expect--violent, explosive and with a nice line in tongue-in-cheek humour. Yun Fat is cool as ever, with shades and a toothpick, gliding through scores of faceless, blood-splattered henchmen with a gun in each hand. In fact, the final bloodbath is so frenetic that it seems to lack the deliberate and graceful choreography of other Woo classics, such as Hard Boiled and The Killer, but A Better Tomorrow II is typical enough of his work to easily satisfy all but the most unforgiving action fans. --Paul Philpott
| Starring | Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Emily Chu |
|---|---|
| Director | John Woo |
| Studio | MIA VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 30 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Cantonese |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Sep 1999 Production year: 1986 |
| Format | DVD |
A Better Tomorrow (1986)
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Woo's career was at its nadir when Tsui Hark brought him into Film Workshop and proposed this 'remake' of Patrick... read more on Time Out
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"...A welcome jolt....Ridiculously exhilarating..." -- Rating: A-
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Most helpful member's review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Chow Yun Fat Owns
This film's subject isn't new, gangster gets in trouble with rival mob, gets arrested , his family are threatened. However the script is excellent and the gangster really wants to proove he's changed, his reluctant brother rejects him as the death of their father was caused by his mob involvement. But the mob won't let go of the gangster and soon the brother is in trouble too. Some of the climaxs are expected and some aren't but the end certainly doesn't disapoint and theres plenty of action. Chow Yun Fat prooves even with 1 good leg he can be a 1 man band, and he prooves a great juxtaposition.
John Woo does it again, If you like foreign films or are a big fan of john woo or chow rent this film. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Honest heart on the sleeve fun
I find these Hong Kong action films so much more entertaining than the dross Hollywood pumps out, they have a naive charm and enthusiasm that is rare to see. They have limited budgets but they do the best they can, it's got to be commended. Try it, you might be entertained.
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News and features
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Red Cliff
- 15 Jun 2009
A mere slip of an epic at 146 minutes (you think I’m kidding, but I watched the original two-part, five-hour Asian-market version), John Woo’s first Chinese film in nearly two decades is both a triumphant homecoming and too much of a good thing. When Woo went to Hollywood in the run up to the handover of Hong Kong in the early 90s he was riding the crest of a wave: hyper romantic urban thrillers like The Killers, A Better Tomorrow and Hard Boiled had earned him a reputation as the... Read more
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A Better Tomorrow
John Woo's forays into Hollywood cinema have revealed just how childish a lot of his material can feel when it is delivered without the clouding medium of subtitles. In his earlier Hong Kong movies it is possible to allow that the melodramatic, risible and at times confusing dialogue--a disgruntled ...
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