A Better Tomorrow

Director: John Woo

Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Waise Lee and Emily Chu

Summary: One of the best gangster movies ever made and the true breakthrough film for Chow Yun Fat and John Woo.

Plot: Mark and Ho are Triads and Ho's younger brother is a young policeman called Kit. Ho goes on a deal in Taiwan with a new gangster, Shing. But, they're double crossed. After a brief shootout Ho and Shing go on the run from the police. Ho gives himself up so Shing can get away. As Ho had killed some of the Taiwan gangsters they kill his father in return. Anyhow, Mark goes and gets revenge for Ho in a classic shootout. I don't want to give too much more of the plot away, but I'll just say when Ho is released he is determined to go straight. but it won't be that easy. Obviously.

Comment: This film will blow you away. And, it's a true Hong Kong action classic as it was the first to feature that stylized gunplay which both John Woo and Chow Yun Fat have become world renowned for. This is more than just an action movie, there's a good plot too. I won't give away to much of it because it might spoil your enjoyment of the film.

The characters are excellently written and complex. Ho (Ti Lung) is a highly respected Triad who wants to give up the gangster life to protect his kid brother, Kit (Leslie Cheung). Mark (Chow Yun Fat) is Ho's best friend and Triad brother. They've been through a lot together in the 12 years they've worked together. Kit is a bright young police officer who wants to bust the triads and arrest Ho after he caused the death of their father. There is a lot more to the characters than that, but it would take some time outline all they're complexities. The acting from all three of the leads is great. But Chow is absolutely amazing. It's no wonder he became such a big star after this film.

All the action is gunplay. And its way more exciting and explosive than any other gunplay seen in other Hong Kong movies at the time. But, it does seem a bit dated now. There is one truly classic scene which has gone down in cinema history. The restaurant shootout. It's so cool and was the first proper stylized gun fight in Hong Kong cinema. Dual pistols and everything. That shootout has definitely stood the test of time.

Overall then, a classic in a every sense of the word. The acting, story, drama, characters, shootouts and even the music are all outstanding. I can't recommend this film highly enough. If you're a fan of Hong Kong cinema, you've got to see this film.

Highlights

• The restaurant shootout
• Chow Yun Fats performance
• The finale

Letdowns

• Out of place comedy early on in the film
• A wee bit dated

Rating: 9.5 out of 10.0