Customer Reviews

A Better Tomorrow III [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's interesting to note most Chow fans disregard this film, especially when they compare it to the other two in the series. Somehow I've never been able to comprehend this.

Many of the critics seem to base their reviews on "how a film in this genre SHOULD be done". True, this prequel differs drastically from the other two as the action is not as bloody (though I don't know how that really relates to how good a film is), and the story-line actually involves a remarkable woman, whom the incredible Anita Mui portrays with stunning success. This disturbs many "loyalists" who consider it a disgrace to bring women into a men's world.

While John Woo's films center on the traditional Chinese honor and brotherhood, Tsui Hark makes an even more ambitious effort as he brings these themes to a world swallowed by chaos. In the process of portraying the relationship between the main characters, he humbles the viewers with the realization of how insignificant each one of us can be in the face of change. Yet, he does not drag us into the abyss of desperation, as he offers hope and redemption for those who keep trying.

This third installment is a far more ambitious one than the previous two. While those looking for more and more action will not be satisfied, many who look for a complex story-line will be truly fascinated. The values that intertwine and conflict with each other can not be listed in a short review. It's probably best for me to make a few comparisons here. This film is as rewatchable as LA Confidential, if not more, and if The Killer is John Woo's best work, this film is the best work of Tsui Hark.

This was by far the best film of the series and Anita Mui has never been better. Let's face it folks, we don't buy these films because of the story, the great philosophical message it conveys, or the Oscar worthy performances. Get over it guys....this was a great action flick that should please Anita Mui fans. It's one of the few roles she's had that lets her strut her stuff and she dominates the film.

Even though Tsui Hark is one of my favorite Hong Kong directors, this movie did not at all show his skill. The story was poor along with the actors performances. I may be a little biased since I love John Woo, and Tsui Hark killed their friendship by making this movie. Worth checking out but i would'nt buy it if I were you.

While you do need to see the A Better Tomorrow 1st., this is my favorite of the series. I believe that bringing a strong woman into the picture was brilliant and Anita Mui plays it to the hilt. This is not just action, but a beautiful love story done with real gangster style. Is anything cooler than watching Anita Mui slide down a 40 ft curtain blowing away viet soldiers with both guns blazing? Well maybe Chow Yun Fat sliding down after her.

This is an exceptional HK gangster film, and is far superior to the previous film in the series, part II. It rivals the original film in emotional content and quality.

Tsui Hark is the Steven Spielberg of Hong Kong (equally famous in Asia as a producer, director, and writer -- and quite varied in genre) and this film ranks among his best work.

As a big fan of the first two films in the series, I had been wanting to see Tsui Hark's A BETTER TOMORROW III for a while. I had mixed expectations for the film. I'd heard that it wasn't too good, that the series was nothing without John Woo. But I was also very intrigued by the storyline and the fact that the film was a prequel.

The film is set at the end of the Vietnam War. Young Mark Gor (Chow Yun Fat, reprising his role from A BETTER TOMORROW) travels to Saigon to bring his cousin, Mun (Tony Leung), and his uncle back to Hong Kong. Once there, Mark finds Mun - and everyone else - caught up in the war, forced to involve themselves in shady underworld crime. As Mark is drawn into the criminal underworld, he meets Chow Ying Kit (Anita Mui), a beautiful gangleader who quickly grows close to Mark and Mun. Though both Mark and Mun are in love with Kit, Mun realizes that she loves Mark and lets him have her. Just when it seems their problems are solved, along comes Kit's old flame, criminal lord Ho Cheung Ching (Tokito Saburo).

Everyone knows that Tsui Hark, though a talented director, is nowhere near as skilled as action master John Woo. Under the direction of John Woo, action sequences seem beautiful, almost like dancing; under the direction of Tsui Hark, they seem dull and hokey. Though Hark fails to make A BETTER TOMORROW III's action sequences interesting, he does a fine job with the dramatic/romantic scenes, of which there are many. Anita Mui and Chow Yun Fat are both talented actors, and they each perform very well. The script lags just a little at times, but for the most part, it's very well-written. The best parts of the film were the "origin" scenes, explaining how Mark Gor became the super-cool killer he was in A BETTER TOMORROW - Mark getting his sunglasses, Mark getting his trenchcoat, Mark becoming hardened from all the violence. I would've liked to see more of those.

As a sequel, A BETTER TOMORROW III is rather weak, but it's not such a bad film. It's a poor action film, but an intriguing romance-drama. Fans of the first two films should give it a shot.

well, its chow yun-fat, yes its a part of the better tomorrow series, but no john woo, tsui hark did a decent job directing but held off to much of the action and has action, chow yun-fat/john woo/fans hungry for more. The entire movie was a romance, which is alright, but when you mix chow yun fat and a better tomorrow, you get a good story which you got in this movie but you miss the playfull aspects from a john woo movie. Its a good movie but it doesnt get all five stars for missing john woo

As a fairly big Chow Yun-Fat fan I'd have to say this is my least favorite. I think it's a lack of John Woo. The story never really caught my attention like the first two. Even thought there was more of a love sceen for Chow Yun-Fat, I don't think it showed enough of his passion as did this first one, or even the second one. if you have the first two, or even one you have to buy this movie, just to keep the collection together.

GREAT movie!! Fantastic action scenes,suspense, and quality acting.As usual,Chow Yun-Fat,Tony Leung and,Anita Mui showed us why they are the best.

I purchased this film hoping for an action film along the lines of the first two entries in the series. What I got was an epic love story set during the waning days of Saigon. And I liked it! The emotions in this film are real and the response to the them are earned. As a fan of the John Woo films I hate to say it but the gunplay in this film interfered with the human interactions. As a Chow Yun Fat fan I was really impressed with the range he displays here. Instead of the brash cowboy he played in the first two films he shows, gasp, vulnerability. And what can you say about Anita Mui: beauty, brains, brawn, and charisma. A perfect capper to a terrific series of films.