A Better Tomorrow Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "A Better Tomorrow" by Well Go USA offers a remarkable visual experience, courtesy of an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The film itself, while primarily a crime thriller, stands out with its exceptional aesthetic appeal, largely attributable to the craftsmanship of cinematographer Seung-Ki Kang. Stunning, subtle use of lighting and varied, robust color palettes contribute to a visually immersive experience. Fine details are presented with outstanding clarity, irrespective of the scene's filter – be it amber, blue, or yellow – maintaining an impressive saturation throughout. Shadow details are strong, and black levels remain solid, even in night-time sequences.

The film's lush South Asian locations are beautifully rendered with stark blue skies and pristine waters during daytime scenes, providing an excellent contrast to the otherwise predominantly dark visual tone. The contrast is expertly managed; whites appear perfectly bleached while skin tones remain naturally unaltered. Even in low-lit environments such as dim corridors and dark interrogation rooms, detail retention is superb. Facial features and individual hairs on characters are clearly discernible, contributing to the overall visual integrity of the film.

Overall, "A Better Tomorrow" on Blu-ray is an impressive video presentation that combines fine detail and strong color palettes with effective handling of complex lighting scenarios and shadow details. This careful attention to visual quality makes it a truly enriching experience for viewers.

"A Better Tomorrow" is delivered with an exceptionally effective lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in Korean, accompanied by a Dolby Digital 2.0 mixdown option. From the outset, the audio experience is immersive, effectively utilizing discrete sound effects that enhance both action-packed and quieter scenes. The soundscape crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere, such as during Hyuk's nightmare, establishing psychological depth. Key action sequences, particularly the initial and final shootouts, exhibit floorboard-rattling LFE and precise directionality, elevating them to near-John Woo levels of intensity.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track stands out with its crisp, clear, and immersive qualities. Action scenes benefit from razor-sharp audio fidelity, with individual bullets audibly whizzing through the soundfield and LFE delivering substantial punch during RPG explosions. Panning effects are smoothly executed, creating a seamless and engaging audio experience. Notably, the painstaking detail in ambient sounds throughout quieter moments, such as city life and subtle environmental changes, ensures dialogue remains clear and intelligible. This premium sound mix promises to satisfy both casual viewers and audiophiles.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "A Better Tomorrow" provide a concise yet informative glimpse into the film's production and context. While the special features are brief, they offer valuable insights and promotional content that enhance the viewing experience, contributing to an overall understanding of both the original film and its remake. The interviews with principal actors and the making-of short piece, despite their brevity, offer a snapshot of the creative process behind the movie. The dichotomy between Woo's original film and the 2010 remake is also fleetingly explored, providing a perspective on the film's evolution. The inclusion of trailers adds a nostalgic touch for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Character Intro Cast Interview: Brief interviews with the four principal actors discussing their roles.
• The Making of A Better Tomorrow: Short montage of clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• A Better Tomorrow (2010): Challenges and Transformations: Brief look at changes between Woo's original and the remake.
• Original Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Trailer: Theatrical trailer.

The 2010 South Korean remake of John Woo’s 1986 Hong Kong action classic, "A Better Tomorrow," directed by Song Hae-Sung and executive-produced by Woo, offers a modernized and more scenic retelling of the original. This iteration features Joo Jin-Mo as Hyuk, a North Korean defector embroiled in a strained relationship with his brother Chul (Kim Kang-Woo), a cop who despises him for his criminal past. Song Seung-Heon takes on the role of Hyuk's loyal friend Young-Choon. While the film incorporates the politically charged backdrop of North and South Korea's rivalry, it struggles with narrative cohesion due to the focus on numerous supporting characters, which dilutes the central triad dynamic that defined Woo's original.

Technically, the film boasts stunning visuals, particularly in its Thailand location shots, where lush, scenic beauty juxtaposes with gritty violence. The higher production budget is evident compared to Woo's lo-fi original, offering a more polished viewing experience. However, this increased aesthetic quality does not compensate for the film’s lack of the thrilling, balletic action sequences that are a hallmark of Woo's style. Significant set-pieces such as the initial shootout are competent but lack the frenetic energy that propelled the original to cult status.

Audiences may find the human emotions more deeply explored in this version, particularly the performances of Joo Jin-Mo and Kim Kang-Woo, whose portrayal of fraternal tension adds some gravitas. Yet, this deeper emotional engagement comes at the cost of the kinetic action that defined the original. The relationships portrayed among Hyuk, Chul, and Young-Choon are poignant and genuine but may leave those expecting an action-packed spectacle underwhelmed. Ultimately, while the remake provides visual splendour and strong character portrayals, it misses the relentless excitement that made Woo’s "A Better Tomorrow" an action cinema milestone.

The Blu-ray release of "A Better Tomorrow" offers a mixed yet intriguing experience for enthusiasts of Asian action cinema. Visually, the high-definition transfer is stunning, boasting vibrant colors, sharp detail, and undeniable clarity that elevate the viewing experience manifold. The video presentation excels in showcasing meticulously crafted scenery and an elevated level of production design that contrasts sharply with the grainier aesthetic of John Woo's 1986 original.

The audio quality is equally impressive, providing a demo-worthy soundscape that fully immerses the viewer in both the subtleties of dialogue and the intensity of action sequences. However, while the technical aspects shine brightly, the narrative struggles to reach the dramatic heights of its predecessor. The film often veers into soap opera territory, detracting from the gripping tension that should underscore such a story about loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.

Why reinvent the wheel? "A Better Tomorrow's" original version is such an iconic film, despite its flaws (and, yes, it does have some), it seems kind of pointless to revisit it, no matter how well-intentioned the filmmakers might have been. This effort certainly has beautiful scenery going for it, as well as a much higher level of production design and flourishes than Woo's original, but it's also dramatically kind of turgid, too frequently opting for soap opera instead of real drama. It still makes for an interesting companion piece to see alongside Woo's great original, but I seriously doubt anyone who loves Woo's film is going to feel like this one outdoes it in any way, shape, or form.

Ultimately, while "A Better Tomorrow" on Blu-ray stands as a visual and auditory triumph, it falls short in replicating the raw emotional impact of Woo's original masterpiece. The gorgeous high-definition presentation may make it worth adding to a collection, but for many fans, this version serves more as a companion piece rather than a replacement.