It's one of John Woo's earlier efforts, and it's pretty clear that he hadn't perfected his cinematic techniques yet; his work here is alternately stylized and just plain crude. The story isn't very interesting; the score often gets melodramatic and pushy; and the appallingly bad dubbing job (if you're unlucky enough to find yourself watching a dubbed version) renders the movie nearly unwatchable. I'd say skip it altogether and go watch "The Killer", which is LIGHT YEARS AHEAD of this, IF it weren't for Chow Yun Fat's astonishing, moving performance. You do need to see this movie after all...if only to realize how much more than simply an "action star" he really is. (**)
Review of A Better Tomorrow
