Description
Title: A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
A former Triad member tries to start over after being released from prison, but finds himself caught between his criminal past, loyalty to his best friend, and the resentment of his younger brother who has joined the police force. As old alliances fracture and violent confrontations escalate, the bonds of brotherhood are tested in a world where honor comes at a deadly cost.
Cast and Crew:
-
Director: John Woo
-
Writers: John Woo, Chan Hing-Ka, Leung Suk-Wah
-
Cast:
-
Chow Yun-Fat as Mark Lee
-
Ti Lung as Sung Tse-Ho
-
Leslie Cheung as Sung Tse-Kit
-
Emily Chu as Jackie
-
Waise Lee as Shing
-
YouTube Trailer: A Better Tomorrow | Trailer
IMDb Link: A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Reviews from Letterboxd
-
Sean_Gilman – ★★★★★
“Everything I love about Hong Kong cinema in one movie: melodrama, ultraviolence, and Chow Yun-Fat in a trench coat with sunglasses.” -
SilentDawn – ★★★★☆
“A gripping tale of redemption and loyalty. Chow Yun-Fat’s performance is iconic, and the action is pure Woo.” -
guy-sardine – ★★★★☆
“A stone-cold classic. The music, the shootouts, the emotional stakes—it’s a genre-defining masterpiece.” -
ChrisAikino – ★★★★☆
“Stylish, bloody, and emotionally charged. Woo shows why he’s the king of heroic bloodshed.” -
FilmObjective – ★★★☆☆
“Dated in parts, but still hits hard when it counts. A foundational piece of action cinema.”
Meta Description:
A Better Tomorrow (1986) is John Woo’s explosive crime drama that redefined Hong Kong action cinema. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, and Leslie Cheung, the film combines stylized violence with deep emotional resonance in a tale of brotherhood and redemption.
Title: A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
Several years after the events of the first film, Sung Tse-Ho is released from prison to help the police infiltrate a counterfeiting operation led by his former boss, Lung Sei. As tensions rise and betrayal unfolds, Ho’s younger brother Kit is pulled deeper into the conflict. When Lung is framed and flees to New York, he is rescued by Ken—twin brother of the late Mark Lee. Together, the men unite for a final, explosive confrontation against the crime syndicate that tore their lives apart.
Cast and Crew:
-
Director: John Woo
-
Writers: John Woo, Tsui Hark
-
Cast:
-
Chow Yun-Fat as Ken
-
Ti Lung as Sung Tse-Ho
-
Leslie Cheung as Sung Tse-Kit
-
Dean Shek as Lung Sei
-
Emily Chu as Jackie
-
YouTube Trailer: A Better Tomorrow II | Trailer
IMDb Link: A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
Reviews from Letterboxd
-
silentdawn – ★★★☆☆
“Not as good as the original, but a solid action flick with enough John Woo mayhem to keep things interesting.” -
jessecrall – ★★★★☆
“The New York segment is a bit of a slog, but the finale is just spectacular. Chow Yun-Fat dual-wielding never misses.” -
Garrone – ★★☆☆☆
“Tonally inconsistent, with melodrama and slapstick crashing into bloodbaths. Still, some gun-fu sequences are elite.” -
hungkat – ★★★★☆
“John Woo’s insane opera of bullets, brotherhood, and betrayal. Not perfect, but pure Hong Kong cinema excess.” -
smitty – ★★★☆☆
“Chow Yun-Fat returns in twin form and it works better than it should. Over-the-top and beautiful in its chaos.”
Meta Description:
A Better Tomorrow II (1987) delivers explosive action and emotional stakes in John Woo’s bullet-ridden sequel, reuniting Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, and Leslie Cheung for a tale of vengeance and brotherhood.
Title: A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989)
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In the chaotic aftermath of the Vietnam War, Mark Lee (Ti Lung) embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue his brother Kit (Leslie Cheung) from the clutches of a notorious drug lord. As loyalties are tested and past friendships unravel, the lines between honor, vengeance, and redemption blur in this emotionally charged prequel to the iconic A Better Tomorrow series.
Cast and Crew:
-
Director: Tsui Hark
-
Writer: Wang Lee Hua
-
Cast:
-
Leslie Cheung as Kit
-
Ti Lung as Mark Lee
-
Anita Mui as Tung Yen
-
Waise Lee as Brother John
-
Carrie Ng as Xiang Zi
-
YouTube Trailer: A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon | Trailer
IMDb Link: A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989)
Reviews from Letterboxd
-
film_observer88 – ★★★★☆
“A bold departure from the original duology’s tone—Tsui Hark infuses Saigon with a mix of stylized action and poignant melodrama. Leslie Cheung shines.” -
noir_fanatic – ★★★½☆
“Not as polished as Yang’s earlier entries, but it makes up for it with emotional stakes and flashy action sequences.” -
hongkongcinephile – ★★★☆☆
“Strong performances and a lush period setting. Some may find the pacing uneven, but there’s no denying its ambition.” -
RetroReel – ★★★½☆
“An underrated gem in the franchise. The chemistry between Cheung and Mui elevates the story beyond a standard gangster flick.” -
ActionAddict – ★★★☆☆
“Fans of heroic bloodshed will appreciate the volume of gunplay and brotherhood drama, even if it lacks the tight editing of its predecessors.”
Meta Description:
A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989), directed by Tsui Hark, offers a stylish and emotionally resonant take on loyalty and loss in post‑war Vietnam. With standout performances from Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, it’s a visually striking prequel that expands the saga’s mythos.
