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A Better Tomorrow review – firefights aplenty and unapologetic melodrama in John Woo’s blood-drizzled crime classic

Spectacular shootouts and even broad comedy are packed into this Woo’s fierce 1986 thriller of vengeance and loyalty The title of this John Woo 1986 action classic is taken from the 1985 Taiwanese charity single Tomorrow Will Be Better, released in the spirit of the west’s Live Aid and a huge pan-Asian hit. It is poignantly performed in one scene by a choir of sweet schoolchildren; their innocence is, of course, in counterpoint to the blood-drizzled bad guys, but it also speaks to the yearning of some of these criminals to redeem themselves: “Let our smiles show off our pride of youth / Let us look forward to a better tomorrow.” Perhaps, with the perspective of 40 years, we can now see more clearly why John Woo’s movies are so addictive. Not merely for the much discussed, much imitated “balletic” gunplay sequences, but for the fierce, unapologetic streak of melodrama and sentimentality.

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Spectacular shootouts and even broad comedy are packed into this Woo’s fierce 1986 thriller of vengeance and loyalty The title of this John Woo 1986 action classic is taken from the 1985 Taiwanese charity single Tomorrow Will Be Better, released in the spirit of the west’s Live Aid and a huge pan-Asian hit. It is poignantly performed in one scene by a choir of sweet schoolchildren; their innocence is, of course, in counterpoint to the blood-drizzled bad guys, but it also speaks to the yearning of some of these criminals to redeem themselves: “Let our smiles show off our pride of youth / Let us look forward to a better tomorrow.” Perhaps, with the perspective of 40 years, we can now see more clearly why John Woo’s movies are so addictive. Not merely for the much discussed, much imitated “balletic” gunplay sequences, but for the fierce, unapologetic streak of melodrama and sentimentality.

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According to The Guardian’s linked item, A Better Tomorrow review – firefights aplenty and unapologetic melodrama in John Woo’s blood-drizzled crime classic, Spectacular shootouts and even broad comedy are packed into this Woo’s fierce 1986 thriller of vengeance and loyalty The title of this John Woo 1986 action classic is taken from the 1985 Taiwanese charity single Tomorrow Will Be Better, released in the spirit of the west’s Live Aid and a huge pan-Asian hit. It is poignantly performed in one scene by a choir of sweet schoolchildren; their innocence is, of course, in counterpoint to the blood-drizzled bad guys, but it also speaks to the yearning of some of these criminals to redeem themselves: “Let our smiles show off our pride of youth / Let us look forward to a better tomorrow.” Perhaps, with the perspective of 40 years, we can now see more clearly why John Woo’s movies are so addictive. Not merely for the much discussed, much imitated “balletic” gunplay sequences, but for the fierce, unapologetic streak of melodrama and sentimentality.

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The development sits in VINI’s Culture coverage for readers following arts, entertainment, fashion, film, music, celebrity, and the business of culture. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The linked item is dated 2026-06-25T12:00:13+00:00.

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Primary source: A Better Tomorrow review – firefights aplenty and unapologetic melodrama in John Woo’s blood-drizzled crime classic via The Guardian. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.

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