Review of A Better Tomorrow II (1987) by Khris N — 19 Jan 2010

After watching it again recently, I have reevaluated my earlier statement... this is sequel better than the original. In my opinion. This one is bloodier, more brutal and where the first left with a sense of innocence and hope in life, the second strips it away, as the old school ex-gangsters watch as the honest world they tried to build is destroyed around them.

Kit and Ho, brothers on opposite sides of the law, team up again undercover to stop a world wide counterfeiting ring being established in Hong Kong. When a lead connects to Ho's old mentor and partner, Lung, they stumble upon a masterplan of treachery and betrayl, which ends in the death of Lung's daughter, and Lung fleeing to New York, only to be hunted while his friends are killed, and enters into shock and is admitted into a mental institution.

His only hope is Ken, the twin brother of the legendary Mark, who died protecting Ho and Kit. Ken is forced to protect Lung from the Mob as they send hitmen after him, and when lung eventually regains his sanity, they head back to Hong Kong to settle the score.

Obviously no punches are pulled in this sequel, innocents are killed, lives destroyed, this is not a movie about redemption or finding peace like the first one was. Part 2 is all about betrayl and revenge, and knowing that you could never turn a blind eye to your past, especially in the Underworld.

Its bloody, packs quite a punch and even throws in some good humor. Chow Yun Fat is obviously the star, creating a funnier, wilder and more charasmatic figure in Ken, the show stealer. The restraunt scene with the rice and mobster is a classic moment.

XDEven though the movie drags a bit in time, the shock and deaths will carry on the suspense and thrills... and in the end, who knows? ENJOY!