The John Woo gangster classic that started it all a romantic violent swirlingly stylish melodrama about duelling brothers--with a mesmerizing lead performance by Hong Kong's favourite 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 <I>A Better Tomorrow</I> 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. --<I>David Chute Amazon.com</I>