RETURN TO A BETTER TOMORROW

Starring: Ekin Cheng, Lau Ching Wan, Michael Wong, Chingmy Yau, Lam Kwok Bun, Paul Chun

The title of the film suggests that it could be either a remake of the original A Better Tomorrow film or possibly a homage. I could tell you that it is very much the latter, as it simply not comparable to the John Woo classic.

Tong Chun (Ekin Cheng) is the leader of a powerful triad society, and practically everyone knows him, or know of him. His rapid rise to leadership has earned him a reputation as a fearless warrior and a tactically astute commander. Lobster (Lau Ching Wan) is one of the new followers to join Tong Chun's society, and he quickly becomes a trusted friend. When Tong is framed for possessing cocaine, he flees to Mainland China but is ambushed there. He learns that his best friend, Wei (Lam Kwok Bun), was the mastermind behind it all.

When Tong returns to Hong Kong he discovers that Lobster has now risen to leader of the triad society, and that his girlfriend Chilli (Chingmy Yau) had gone missing. Tong reunites with Lobster who, after learning of what had happened to Tong, becomes enemies with Wei. Tong finally finds Chilli, who has now become a heroin addict after being subjected to several days of gang-rape by Wei's men. Infuriated, Tong and Lobster decides to go after Wei.

Return to A Better Tomorrow is so average, it doesn't even deserve to have A Better Tomorrow in its title. If the filmmakers had thought that they could make a film that would better (excuse the pun) A Better Tomorrow, then they have another thing coming. This completely stinks, and everything about it is done so badly. The plot is too cliched, the story too shallow, the acting far too generic, and the action is a complete mismanagement.

There are a number of similarities between the two films: Tong Chun, like Mark Gor, after being betrayed, comes back to Hong Kong a cripple. He finds the person he trusted the most now head of the triad society. An undercover cop (Michael Wong) infiltrates the gang, but knows that Tong Chun is a good guy.

I suppose the similarities were intentional to give the audience something familiar to think about, but homage is one thing, making a mess of everything is another. With a little more forethought into the script and plotting, the film might have had a bettter tomorrow. As it is, it doesn't even deserve to live.

RATING

4 / 10