A Better Tomorrow1986

79/100 Impossible to understate the impact this had on action and Hong Kong cinema, and for good reason. A high-energy insane shootout gangster movie makes for good viewing. John Woo's style is one easily recognizable, and aided by the emotional depth of this film. The friendship between Ho and Mark and the slowly developing brotherly relationship with Kit carries the film. It's all helped along by some great performances. The highlight of these is Chow Yun-fat as Mark Lee, the protagonist's ride-or-die best friend and renegade gangster. Chow really sells the shootout gangster he is at the start, the beggar he has been reduced to years later and the trigger-happy antihero he becomes. I aspire to one day be cool enough to light a cigarette with a counterfeit bill. The highlight is of course the action, a trademark with John Woo, and it is amazing. From hallway shootouts to a literally explosive climax taking place at a dock filled with oil barrels, each action scene is stylized, high-energy and highly entertaining. This movie still has issues. In particular, I found the weakest part of the film was actually the main plot of the reconciling brothers, feeling melodramatic even by my standards. Furthermore, there are a few leaps in logic, like Mark leaping around and shooting like crazy in the finale despite previously being too lame for his previous assassin role. However, the movie is fun, and any plot issues are resolved by the strong performances the cast gives. It's a classic for a reason, and I'd highly recommend it if you're a fan of Hong Kong cinema or just action films in general.