Review of A Better Tomorrow (2010) by Sam W — 18 Aug 2008

John Woo is well-known for his recent spat in the hollywood machine, conjuring certain greatness with ventures such as Face/off (not so much MI2.) However, a lot of his earlier works are truly what set him apart as a great director. It was Woo he really coined the art of two guns in an assault in films that is used so often today, the video-game style of shoot outs that include flying across sets, grueling bloody effects and a generally adrenaline infused storyline.

What really sets Woo out though is his seemless transitions between the action and the melodrama within his films, indeed his focus on core emotions throughout films which contain intense actions scenes which could only be expected from trashy no brainers. Within this film, we see the re-envisioning of the gangster genre set in Hong Kong amidst times of civil unrest. The film centers around two counterfeiters, one who's brother is a cop and there journey though the illegal gangster circuit. The emotional connection between the two is powerful and indeed, a certain degree of eroticisms can be construed at certain aspects of the film.

However this does not detract from the main premise of family values and the value of friendship shaken by the shady dealings of the illegal underworld. Chow Yun Fat is incredible as Mark, the friend who does not wish to leave the illegal underworld no matter what happens to him and the films climax is truly breathtaking (although I would contend that Woo's 'The Killer' has a more explosive ending).

One of the powerhouses of the action and gangster genre, A Better Tomorrow was far ahead of its time and influenced a huge influx in Hong Kong and Chinese gangster cinema (including the ingenious infernal affairs over a decade later).

Not to be missed.