Other Titles • A Better Tomorrow (1986) • Ying huang boon sik • True Colors of a Hero • The Color of a Hero (1986) • The Essence of Heroes (1986) • Gangland Boss (1986) • Ying xiong ben se (1986) • City Wolf (1986) • City Wolf 1 (1986) • Yinghung Bunsik • Yingxiong Bense
Synopses for A Better Tomorrow (1986)
1.
The John Woo gangster classic that started it all, a romantic, violent, swirlingly stylish melodrama about dueling brothers--with a mesmerizing lead performance by Hong Kong's favorite actor, Chow Yun-Fat. In repose, Chow's sleepy magnetism recalls the glory days of Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen, and Takakura Ken; when he's stepping high, Chow has a unique, ebullient star presence, a man who embraces life so unselfconsciously that he becomes vulnerable to all kinds of suffering and heartache (he endures masochistic megadoses of violence here). The sequence in which Chow's Mark avenges his betrayed best friend---by blasting his way into, and then out of, a Chinese restaurant, twin .45s blazing---is a swashbuckling standout. Woo's film technique may have been more polished in later efforts, but Tomorrow has a direct emotional power that is still unique. Kung fu star of the 1970s, Ti Lung is also terrific here as the 40ish established mobster, relied upon by all, who allows conflicting loyalties toward Mark and toward his younger brother, now a cop, to undermine the stability of his position. --David Chute
(7 votes)
2.
The sentimental, action-packed story of two brothers: Kit, an ambitious young cop; and his older sibling Ho, a smooth criminal working for the most powerful underworld organization in Hong Kong. When Ho gets involved in a daring counterfeiting racket, he is pitted against the emotional Kit, who already blames him for the death of their father and is continually angered and embarrassed by Ho's lawless ways.
Because the turmoil threatens to destroy Kit's career and tear their family apart, Ho's love for his brother leads him to go legit. Unfortunately, he finds that working for the Mob is a lifetime commitment -- retirement just isn't an option -- and Ho is inevitably pulled back into the life. The ensuing maelstrom of violence may mean death for both him and his brother, whether he chooses to do the right thing or not.
(7 votes)
3.
Two brothers torn between their conflicting roles find their love for each other will never die. Sung Tse Kit, a dedicated policeman blames his brother, Tse Ho, who is a gangster for their father's death as much as obstructing his career in the force. Ho is betrayed by his boss, Tam Shing and is caught in an operation putting him in jail. Upon his release, Ho finds out that his old partner, Mark, is made crippled by Tam. The pair decides to get even with Tam for the last time. He's heroic acts help him win back his brother's love and respect.
(7 votes)
4.
John Woo and Chow Yun Fat Deliver The Sequel That Outguns The Original!
Director John Woo (Face-Off, Mission: Impossible 2) and star Chow Yun Fat (Hard Boiled, The Replacement Killers) return in the jaw-dropping, heart-stopping sequel to the breakthrough gangster drama that changed action movies forever! This time, the mayhem blasts its way from New York City to Hong Kong as renegade gangsters and hot shot cops take on the syndicate in a relentless showdown of honor, loyalty and bullet-riddled revenge.
Considered by many fans to be superior to the original, A Better Tomorrow II is the award-winning action masterpiece whose final epic gun battle is one of the most awesome sequences of John Woo's entire career.
(6 votes)
5.
Brothers By Blood. Enemies By Chance. Killers By Nature.
A Better Tomorrow is the film that started it all, full of John Woo's now-classic trademarks of jaw-dropping style, heart-stopping action and gunfire mayhem that must be seen to be believed. Chow Yun Fat stars in this epic story of suave gangsters and renegade cops who discover that in a world bound by honor, revenge comes at the speed of a bullet.
Written, and directed by John Woo, this is the breakthrough film that made international superstars of both Woo and Chow Yun Fat, and single-handedly changed the look of action movies forever!
(3 votes)
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