Essential Woo. Review on A Better Tomorrow Movie

If you are, like me, a big fan of Hong Kong action flicks, there is no way you would not have seen this one. Also, anyone who has liked Face/Off must see this movie (along with Hard Boiled) to realise where all the exquisiteness of Face/Off comes from. This is where Woo begins to perfect his unique style. Like all Woo action movies, this one is also very melodramatic and does not as such rely on a strong story (although A Better Tomorrow is still more emotionally complex than the others). It has Woo favourite Chow Yun Fat (along with the very likeable Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung) with his trademark iron heart, jaunty toothpick and two blazing guns, that awesome action tradition that has now been incorporated into Hollywood. I can't see anyone else playing this role but Fat. His mixture of coolness, playfulness and vulnerability is precise. The action sequences are masterfully directed and very gripping. Woo uses his standard slow motion technique with delightful precision. Of course, Woo does not go for realism, but style more than makes up for the lack of realism. Other than the action, the relationships are handled with sufficient deftness so as to blend right into the action. Inspiration is written all over this movie. The film is not technically perfect but considering the modest budget, it is the perfect action flick.