This prequel to the John Woo directed series is actually a homecoming of sorts for Vietnamese filmmaker Tsui Hark. The story takes place during the height of the Vietnam War. A young Mark Gor (Chow Yun-Fat, The Killer) travels to Saigon in order to reunite with his uncle and cousin Mun (Tony Leung Ka Fai, The Lover). Mark and Mun attempt to raise some quick cash but are double crossed by crooked Vietnamese General Bong. Their necks are saved by a beautiful and mysterious woman named Kit (Anita Mui), who eventually helps the two return safely to Hong Kong. She joins them back home and of course, a romantic triangle develops among the three. Unfortunately, complications further ensue when Kit’s former flame, Ho Cheung-Ching (Saburo Tokito) shows up to settle some old scores. He will do whatever it takes to reunite with the woman he loves...

The title A Better Tomorrow III is emblematic in that the main characters in this movie want nothing more but to escape from the world they are inhabiting and live better lives. This film has its share of both strengths and flaws. The first half of A Better Tomorrow III is surprisingly anemic, but it has its moments of poignancy. In one scene, we witness student protestors being savagely attacked by the Vietnamese army. Many will see this as a symbolic reference to (and a critical attack on) a horrific real world event—the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The film picks up the pace in the second half with more action and better melodramatic moments. The action scenes themselves are acceptable though they do lack the aesthetic verve. It also doesn’t help that the film’s first two major action sequences were shot outside during nighttime, practically in the dark. But the climactic action scene involving a motorcycle-riding Mark versus a tank is a load of fun.

With the exception of Anita Mui, the performances in this film seldom rise above competency. Tony Leung Ka Fai is decent, but not quite impressive in what should have been his breakthrough role. It’s cool to watch Chow Yun-Fat (as Mark) don his trademark trench coat and shades for the first time, but Chow doesn’t quite give a commanding performance as expected. Perhaps I found it to be a bit odd seeing an older Chow Yun-Fat portray a younger version of his character. Or perhaps it is because we learn that it was Kit herself who trained Mark in marksmanship. Saburo Tokito’s most powerful moment is when his character reveals his true identity and why he chose his nom de plume. The best of the cast is Anita Mui, who gives a very terrific performance as the sexy and extremely resourceful Kit. In many instances, she manages to steal the show from the two male co-stars. Interestingly enough, she also shares the same name as Leslie Cheung’s character in the previous A Better Tomorrow entries. And if I may say so myself, watching a sexy Anita Mui hoisting a powerful machine gun and blasting away her foes to smithereens somehow turns me on.

Although the film was too slow-paced and melodramatic for its own good, it still has its share of merits. Anita Mui was terrific, the scenery was picturesque, and the action sequences were exciting enough. Even though this wasn’t an extraordinary good film from screenwriter-director Tsui Hark, I still recommend it mainly for fans of Hong Kong action cinema. And I must also commend Hark for making this perhaps one of his more personal films.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older