Rating: 
Summary: WAISE LEE!!!
Review: "A Better Tomorrow" is a fantastic film and the reason is WAISE LEE!
This wonderful actor gives to the film a special atmosphere and because of his magic performance "A Better Tomorrow" is a must have film!!
Rating: 
Summary: "It's easy to become a ganster, but it's hard to get out..."
Review: "A Better Tomorrow" is John Woo's first tense, bloody gangster epic, and while it wasn't his best it certainly shows the potential that would be fully realized later. It's here that Woo started developing the themes that he later explored further in "Hard Boiled" and "The Killer." Like those movies, "A Better Tomorrow" is a compelling tale of honor, loyalty and devotion set against the unlikely backdrop of the criminal underworld. The movie's principal plot, the relationship between an ex-gangster and his detective brother, is ideal for the sort of Shakesperean moral conflicts that are always at the center of Woo films. And like any movie, this one benefits immeasurably from the brooding, intense presence of Chow Yun Fat, even if his character is often in the background in this movie. Fat isn't quite the indelible leading man he would become a few years later, but his Mark does have his moments, most notably when cutting down a room full of enemies early on and later during the obligatory climactic shootout.
Strangely, though, "A Better Tomorrow" isn't quite as violent as I was given to expect after having previously seen Woo's later classics. Aside from the two aforementioned shootouts, the film is generally pretty subdued for something with Woo's stamp on it. Fortunately, the plot and characterization are more than sufficient to carry things along during the down time. Much of "A Better Tomorrow" explores the relationships among its three central characters. There's Ho, the ex-gangster and extremely tortured soul who gets out of prison three years after being betrayed by his apprentice to find out that going straight isn't going to be easy. There's his detective brother Kit, the kind of guy that practically squeaks when he walks, sees everything in black and white, and still bears a grudge against Ho for his criminal past. And of course, there's Mark, crippled during the aforementioned shootout scene and none too happy about it. This guy's got plenty of rage bottled up inside him, and you know it's just a matter of time until some unfortunate people wind up on the receiving end.
Unfolding around these three guys, the movie's action is vintage Woo, plot twists and all, as Ho's cartoonishly evil ex-protege Shing tries to consolidate his power in the underworld. Allegiances shift, the line between good and bad is repeatedly blurred, and bullets fly everywhere. Played in a sufficiently brooding manner by Ti Lung, Ho eventually emerges as one of the most compelling characters in action movie history, a guy who struggles mighty hard to maintain his dignity and his principles even after his old life has been pulled out from under him. Kit's sanctimony occasionally gets so irritating that even I wanted to punch him in the face, but Ho still manages to remain loyal to his brother. The naive Kit doesn't want to see the world in shades of grey, but of course his brother knows better.
In any Woo movie, the plot is all but bound to be resolved with a frenetic shootout, and this one is no exception. Apparently, there's nothing to help two feuding brothers get over their problems like being in a sustained gunfight together. Anyway, while not as impressive as the legendary church battle in "The Killer" or the full-scale war in a hospital that ends "Hard Boiled," this movie's final standoff does provide an early glimpse at the talent for staging ultraviolent gun battles that would make propel Woo (and Fat) to international renown. At a mere ninety-four minutes, "A Better Tomorrow" is a bit on the short side, and occasionally somewhat amateurish, but it still showcases all of the elements that Woo fans would come to know and love. It was up to later movies to do a sleeker and more professional job, which they certainly did.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most shoot em dead action flicks ever created
Review: "A Better Tomorrow" is THE original ganster film that makes all past and future flicks alike, seems like Sesamese Street. I like to call this one a classic "old school".
Rating:
Summary: My favorite film
Review: A BETTER TOMORROW is indefinately my favorite film. Everything is superb, although the film is somewhat too melodramatic. Chow Yun Fat is at his best as super cool Mark Lee, and the directing is also superb. A must-see and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite film
Review: A BETTER TOMORROW is indefinately my favorite film. Everything is superb, although the film is somewhat too melodramatic. Chow Yun Fat is at his best as super cool Mark Lee, and the directing is also superb. A must-see and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A match dangling in MARK's mouth marks him a martyr.
Review: A cinematic cliche of MARK (played by CHOW YUN FAT) of him having a match dangling from the very corner of his mouth, that marks his romantic heroism in the movie. Of him "holding a woman in a Japanese restaurant's hallway, dancing in SLOW MOTION and MARK swirls himself in the proximity of every flower pot behind his fluttering BLACK COAT, he puts his handguns along the way for his escape, romantically", MARK is shot in the leg, that marks him as a martyr and a sartyr. MARK is actually both. MARK plots himself a revenge once and for all.....(it's one of the most exciting gangster movies, I don't think any re-make can match Woo's romantic heroism in this movie.....one of the most successful films from Hong Kong, and this video is certainly a must-buy item for any serious collector!!!!!)
Rating: 
Summary: A Five Star Film Ruined By Poor Transfer To DVD
Review: A wonderful movie overall, but the subtitles are terrible and distract from enjoyment of the film. The letters are too big, and often only four or five words are fitted per line, so an additional line of subtitles is necessary, taking up the bottom 25 to 30% of the screen. Can't see the movie for the words! The same holds true for the sequels. I'd buy another copy if only they'd fix this aweful production flaw. DON'T BUY IT! Wait for an improved edition! Too high a cost for such a faulty product.
Rating:
Summary: The re-release is well worth it
Review: After hearing about the anamorphic re-release of "A Better Tomorrow" by Anchor Bay, I cancelled my purchase of the TaiSeng version. And after watching the new version I have to say I'm very satisfied. The transfer was done well, and the original Cantonese soundtrack also holds up. What can I say about the movie? John Woo and Chow-Yun Fat's early work together signalled the start of something greater, and the coming of age of Chow-Yun Fat as an action star and a great actor. Still awaiting delivery of "A Better Tomorrow Part II". Must be delayed b/c of problems Anchor Bay is having with the Cantonese soundtrack they received from the Asian distributor. I can't wait!
Rating:
Summary: A POWERFULL WORK
Review: All I have to say is buy it,rent it,love it. If you are a Woo fan,then this is a must for you. If your not a Woo fan then you are missing out on some of the best Hong Kong action ever made.
Rating:
Summary: 5 1/2 stars!
Review: Although Chow and Woo fans in the Western world have embraced "The Killer" as Woo and Chow's best film to date, I think "ABT", their first collaboration,is a better story. It also seemed to be better received than "The Killer" in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The film deals with brotherly love - a man who has to compromise between his younger, cop brother and his loyal "brother" that has been with him through thick and thin . Ti Lung has the main role and the best actor of the year award was given to him, but it is obvious who shines in the film. Woo has created a hero - Mark Gor - whose every move and expression many fans today still idolize. The movie is undoubtedly a classic.
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