In 1986, a virtually unknown film with a tight budget became a blockbuster and broke box office records in Hong Kong and Asia. The film, “A Better Tomorrow” also made its star Chow Yun Fat an overnight success and launched him into the big league of the Asian film industry. Furthermore it also gave co-star, a Shaw Brothers veteran, Ti Lung‘s career a much welcoming boost.
Buy This Title
by clicking on the image below
After the huge success of its predecessor, a sequel with the same cast returning soon hit the big screens. The filmmakers had to bring Chow back due to his popularity. The problem was, they killed off Mark, the character he played in the previous film, so he returns as Ken, Mark’s long lost twin brother. John Woo was also back as director but it was a troubled shoot since producer Tsui Hark was never happy about the focus of the film which lead to countless editing.
Woo’s sequel starts off with Sung Chi Ho (Ti Lung) in prison, still having nightmares about his past as a criminal. The police, believing that his former mentor, gang boss Lung Sei, is running a counterfeiting ring, want him to infiltrate them. After learning that his brother Kit (Leslie Cheung) is already working on the same case as undercover agent Billie, he agrees but mostly to protect him. Afterall, together with his pregnant wife Jackie, Kit is to become a father.
Check also this video
Meanwhile, betrayed and framed for murdering a rival triad figure, boss Lung, with the help of Sung, takes refuge in New York. While there, he again suffers more attacks from assassins, and these traumatic incidents finally turn him into a total psychotic wreck. Upon receiving the bad news, Sung quickly sends Kit (Chow Yun Fat), the twin brother of the deceased Mark Gor, who happens to run a restaurant there, to help and nurse him back. Under Ken’s tender care and more shootouts later, Lung finally snaps back to his true self. Back in Hong Kong, Sung and Kit discover that Ko (Kwan San), Lung’s partner, is actually the man responsible for his downfall. Before long Kit and Lung return to the Colony, team up with Sung and Kit to take down boss Ko.
The first film actually has a better focus on a plot that touches on family dynamics, friendship, redemption and above all, royalty. Besides, it has a very fitting ending. In fact the sequel plays like a family drama in the beginning and even feels like a musical at times. Still, a bit more backstory on triad boss Lung Sei detailing his psychological past would help to explain his mental sickness and epileptic episodes would be nice. However, as reported, the original film runs for nearly three hours, therefore, the cuts could have resulted in the film’s unevenness.
But when the action kicks in, it feels like a different film all together. Take the amazing gunfight sequence inside the cheap hotel in which Ken effortlessly blows away the poor mobsters in slow motion while sliding down a staircase on his back. Then there is the “fried rice” incident in Ken’s restaurant where he casually blows away a Mafia member’s kneecap. This scenario shows the humorous side of Chow which he would put to better use later. Still, there is certainly more of Woo’s impressive signature action and set pieces on display here.
Also, the extremely high body count especially during the finale mansion shootout recall the works of Shaw Brothers’ Chang Cheh and Sam Peckinpah. The duel between Ken and Ko’s hired killer Chong (Lung Ming Yan) plays like two wuxia swordsmen facing off. It is worth mentioning just for the sheerness of its cool presentation. Honestly, Chong deserves to have his own spinoff. Credits go to Tony Chin Siu Tung who choreographed the film’s action. The well timed theme soundtracks accompanying the action sequences is another plus.
All the returning actors play their parts well, although Dean Shek’s performance is rather erratic and borderline frustrating. Leslie Cheung is right at home portraying the reckless but likable Kit. His character makes silly decisions but he gets the job done. Ti Lung is solid as ever and shows that he can be deadly swinging a katana. The charismatic Chow Yun Fat, with his strong screen presence, has no problam stealing the scenes as Ken. Besides, he is very handy with a wok and a pair of hand guns. When you see him blowing away bad guys in slow motion, you know that you are in action cinema heaven.
Apart from the flawed plotline and the exaggerated melodrama, “A Better Tomorrow II” is still highly entertaining. Of course Woo would go on to make more refined films after this exercise in ultra-violence. Just sit back and enjoy the ride and the intense spectacle.
