{{Short description|2018 Chinese action film}} {{Infobox film | name = A Better Tomorrow 2018 | image = A Better Tomorrow - 英雄本色2018.jpg | caption = Film poster | director = Ding Sheng | native_name = | producer = {{Plainlist| * Zhang Miao * Lu Qian * Joe Tam * Chen Wei }} | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * Ding Sheng * Xu Yang }} | story = Jia Zhijie | starring = {{Plainlist| * Wang Kai * Ma Tianyu * Wang Talu * Yu Ailei * Lam Suet * Wu Yue }} | narrator = | music = {{Plainlist| * Lao Zi * Dou Peng }} <!--(music supervisor)--> | cinematography = Ding Yu | editing = Ding Sheng | studio = {{Plainlist| * Beijing Jingxi Culture & Tourism Co., Ltd. * Chongqing Shuimu Chengde Capital L.P. * Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation * CoolBoy (Shanghai) Culture Communication Co., Ltd. }} | distributor = {{Plainlist| * Beijing Jingxi Tourism Development Co. Ltd. * Huoerguosi Enlight Media }} | released = {{film date|2018|01|18|China}} | runtime = 114 minutes | country = China | language = Mandarin | budget = | gross = {{US$|10.1 million}} }}
'''''A Better Tomorrow 2018''''' ({{lang-zh|t=英雄本色2018}}), is a Chinese action film directed by Ding Sheng and starring Wang Kai, Ma Tianyu, Wang Talu, Yu Ailei, Lam Suet and Wu Yue. In this remake of John Woo's 1986 classic, director Ding Sheng delivers a similar story but with a different setting. Filming took place in a seaside location in the Northern Chinese city of Qingdao as well as in Japan.
The film was invited to be the closing film at the CinemAsia Film Festival in Netherlands on March 11, 2018. Also, the film had screenings at Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan, Newcastle International Film Festival in United Kingdom, and Far East Film Festival in Italy. ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' premiered in China on January 18, 2018.
==Synopsis== Zhou Kai (Wang Kai) heads a smuggling ring that ships goods from a coastal Chinese city to Japan. He has a younger brother, idealistic rookie cop Zhou Chao (Ma Tianyu), who knows nothing about his shady dealings. When Kai's refusal to turn to narcotics creates a rift in the team, the insidious Rubberband sets Kai up on a deal that ends with his arrest. Three years later, Kai is released from prison and tries to live a quiet, humble life with his former partner-in-crime, Mark (Wang Talu). However, the unforgiving eyes of his brother and society at large stop him at every step. When Kai's former criminal associates force Kai to return to the game, Kai, Mark and Chao are put on a collision path that will end in violence.
==Cast== {{Columns-list|colwidth=20em| *Wang Kai as Zhou Kai, a member of a smuggling ring who got framed by his own partners and sent to prison. After doing his time, he seeks to live a straight life, but dangers from his past keep haunting him. *Ma Tianyu as Zhou Chao, a police officer who has great respect for his older brother Chou Kai, though he never knew of his life in crime. *Wang Talu as Ma Ke, a member of a smuggling group and Kai's trusty right-hand man. A simple-minded, passionate and loyal sworn brother. *Yu Ailei as Cang, the son of Boss Ha. *Lam Suet as Ha, the boss of a smuggling group. * Wu Yue as Pi Jin, a member of a smuggling group. *Li Mincheng as Guo Dui, drug-squad chief. *Li Meng as Mei Lin, Zhou Kai's girl friend. *Zhang Yishang as Lu Lu, Zhou Chao's girl friend. *Yûta Nakano as Okamura, the Japanese Yakuza boss. *Shi Liang as Zhou Kai and Zhou Chou's father. *Jiang Peiyao as Yang Yang, Ma Ke's girl friend. *Han Han as the car driver. *Ning Hao as the drinker in Old Ma Bar. *Eric Tsang as the prisoner D8145. *Guo Xiaoran as the boat captain. *Song Ge as Song, the police chief. *Brian Huang as Ma Ke's Taiwanese friend. *Ding Sheng as the taxi driver. }}
== Music == The film score was written and composed by Lao Zi and Dou Peng, and performed by China National Symphony Orchestra and International Master Philharmonic Orchestra.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://v.qq.com/x/cover/cp8jhn5o7r5j0aa/u00267wbuea.html? | language= |title=The film credits in "A Better Tomorrow 2018" | publisher= Tencent Video |date=March 2, 2018|accessdate=}}</ref>
== Release == The film premiered in China on January 18, 2018. The following are the release dates for each region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-jackie-chans-firm-sells-a-better-tomorrow-4-south-korea-singapore-1005421| language= |title="A Better Tomorrow 2018" had deals for South Korea and Singapore| publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 19, 2017|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/2017/film/asia/john-woo-remake-a-better-tomorrow-4-adds-buyers-1202552919/ | language= |title="A Better Tomorrow 2018" had deals for Taiwan, India and the Philippines.| publisher= Variety|date=September 10, 2017|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/sparkle-roll-closes-deals-for-a-better-tomorrow-2018-exclusive/5126559.article | language= | title="A Better Tomorrow 2018" had deals for Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.| newspaper= Screen|publisher=Screen Daily |date=February 15, 2018 |accessdate= }}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Released Date ! scope="col" | Region ! scope='col' | Title ! scope="col" | Distributor(s) |- | {{Start date|2018|01|18|}} | China | ''英雄本色 2018'' | Beijing Jingxi Tourism Development Co. Ltd. <br> Huoerguosi Enlight Media<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chinafilminsider.com/headlines-from-china-this-film-promotion-firm-knows-how-to-win-over-chinese-millennials/ |title=Filmmaker Ding Sheng requested distributor to provide record of expenses |date=May 3, 2018 |website=China Film Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://chinafilminsider.com/headlines-from-china-industry-professionals-call-for-refinement-of-film-law/ |title=Filmmaker Ding Sheng and distributor disputed over marketing |date=May 11, 2018 |website=China Film Insider}}</ref> |- | {{Start date|2018|01|18|}} | Singapore | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | Clover Films |- | {{Start date|2018|01|19|}} | Canada | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | Asia Releasing <br> H Collective |- | {{Start date|2018|01|19|}} | United States | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | Asia Releasing <br> H Collective |- | {{Start date|2018|01|25|}} | Australia | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | China Lion Film Distribution |- | {{Start date|2018|01|25|}} | New Zealand | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | China Lion Film Distribution |- | {{Start date|2018|01|26|}} | Vietnam | ''Bản Sắc Anh Hùng 2018'' | Beta Media |- | {{Start date|2018|01|31|}} | Philippines | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | ABS-CBN Film Productions |- | {{Start date|2018|02|01|}} | Fiji | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | Asia Releasing <br> H Collective |- | {{Start date|2018|02|01|}} | Hong Kong | ''英雄本色 2018'' | China 3D Digital Distribution |- | {{Start date|2018|02|28|}} | Taiwan | ''英雄本色 2018'' | Deepjoy Picture |- | {{Start date|2018|03|22|}} | South Korea | ''영웅본색 4'' | Kidarient Corp. |- | {{Start date|2018|04|19|}} | Thailand | ''โหดเลวดี 2018'' | Hollywood (Thailand) Co., LTD. |}
The following are the released date for each festival. {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Released Date ! scope="col" | Region ! scope='cpl' | Festival ! scope='col' | Title ! scope="col" | Note ! scope='col' | Ref(s) |- | {{Start date|2018|03|10|}} | Japan | Osaka Asian Film Festival | ''男たちの挽歌 2018'' | Special Screening | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oaff.jp/2018/en/program/s03.html | language= | title=The special screening for Osaka Asia Film Festival |publisher=www.oaff.jp |date=March 10, 2018 |accessdate= }}</ref> |- | {{Start date|2018|03|11|}} | Netherlands | CinemAsia Film Festival | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | European Premiere <br> Closing Film | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://cinemasia.nl/en/2018/01/we-proudly-present-our-opening-and-closing-film-2018/ |language= |title=The closing film for CinemAsia Film Festival |publisher=CinemAsia Film Festival |date=January 25, 2018 |accessdate= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320232158/http://cinemasia.nl/en/2018/01/we-proudly-present-our-opening-and-closing-film-2018/ |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | {{Start date|2018|03|31|}} | United Kingdom | Newcastle International Film Festival | ''A Better Tomorrow'' | UK Premiere | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newcastlefestival.co.uk/films/ |language= |title=The screenings for Newcastle International Film Festival |publisher=www.newcastlefestival.co.uk |date= |accessdate=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043209/https://newcastlefestival.co.uk/films/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://newcastlefestival.co.uk/tickets/ |language= |title=The tickets for Newcastle International Film Festival |publisher=www.newcastlefestival.co.uk |date= |accessdate=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053809/https://newcastlefestival.co.uk/tickets/ |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg1BqS9nzG-/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/newcastlefestival/1744307735301665214 |archive-date=2021-12-25 |url-access=registration| language= | title=The Newcastle International Film Festival introduced A Better Tomorrow at Instagram |publisher=Instagram|date=March 27, 2018 | accessdate= }}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- | {{Start date|2018|04|24|}} | Italy | Far East Film Festival | ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' | Italian Premiere | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fareastfilm.com/eng/film/a-better-tomorrow-2018/?IDLYT=7505 | language= | title=A Better Tomorrow 2018 at Far East Film Festival |publisher=Far East Film Festival |date= | accessdate=May 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nonsolocinema.com/better-tomorrow-2018-ding-sheng.html | language=it | title=Film Review: A Better Tomorrow 2018 from Italy|publisher=www.nonsolocinema.com |date= 28 April 2018| accessdate=May 3, 2018}}</ref> |}
===Home media=== ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' with Chinese subtitle was released on Digital HD on March 2, 2018, and ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' with English subtitle was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 29, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Better Tomorrow 2018 Blu-ray|url=https://www.yesasia.com/us/a-better-tomorrow-2018-blu-ray-english-subtitled-hong-kong-version/1065615512-0-0-0-en/info.html |publisher=YesAsia|accessdate=April 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Better Tomorrow 2018 DVD|url=https://www.yesasia.com/us/a-better-tomorrow-2018-dvd-english-subtitled-hong-kong-version/1065615507-0-0-0-en/info.html |publisher=YesAsia|accessdate=April 5, 2018}}</ref>
==Reception== ===Box office=== ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' grossed US$10,067,151 worldwide, including {{CNY|63,067,000}} (US$9,969,143) in China.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Better Tomorrow 2018 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5846644/ |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://piaofang.maoyan.com/movie/1048288 |title=Box Office in China |website=www.maoyan.com |language=zh |access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> It made {{US$|7.9 million}} during its opening weekend in China.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Better Tomorrow 2018 - China |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3821306881/ |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>
===Critical response=== ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' received mixed reviews.
In her positive review of the film, Idarklight of Cfensi wrote, "From some of the boldest music choices to drastic switches in tone of cinematography to one of the most interesting shootout scenes in a while, ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' felt like a firework so bursting with life that it left me too busy savoring every minute details of brilliance to think about its flaws. You can just feel how much love and thought director Ding Sheng and the cast put into every scene. Even all the jokes avoid lazy one-liners but instead are all carefully set-up earlier to land perfectly."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cfensi.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/review-a-better-tomorrow-2018/ | language= | title= Response by Idarklight |publisher=cfensi.wordpress.com |date=January 21, 2018 |accessdate= }}</ref> Pablo A. Tariman of Star Cinema praised the film and wrote, "The film delivers as a crime-action flick. The actors give their characters an earthy feel and they remain unscathed all throughout the bloodshed saga."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/2018/2/3/news/a-better-tomorrow-4-brings-superb-action-with-a-35838 |language= |title=Response by Pablo A. Tariman |publisher=Star Cinema |date=February 3, 2018 |accessdate= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626082756/https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/2018/2/3/news/a-better-tomorrow-4-brings-superb-action-with-a-35838 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Conversely, LP Hugo of Asia Film Strike gave the film a negative review, writing, "A solid crime drama on its own terms, ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' can however not sustain comparison with the original. But despite a wavering tone, some heavy-handed references, it still manages to introduce interesting variations, and benefits from Wang Kai's charisma."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianfilmstrike.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/a-better-tomorrow-2018-2018-review/ | language= | title= Response by LP Hugo |publisher=www.asianfilmstrike.wordpress.com |date=January 19, 2018 |accessdate= }}</ref> Sean Gilman of MUBI Notebook Column wrote, "There's nothing especially unusual about a bland, over-edited and undercooked crime movie. And without the ''A Better Tomorrow'' connection Ding Sheng's film would barely be noticed among the sea of mediocrity that is mainstream Mainland cinema."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/contemporary-chinese-cinema-a-blander-tomorrow | language= | title= Response by Sean Gilman |publisher=MUBI |date=February 13, 2018 |accessdate= }}</ref>
===Accolades=== ''A Better Tomorrow 2018'' received two nominations at the 4th Annual International Jackie Chan Action Movie Week, one for Best Movie Stunt and one for Best New Actor In Action for Wang Talu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weibo.com/1261788454/GqtvQ4jmZ?refer_flag=1001030106_&type=comment |title=The complete list for nomination |date=July 18, 2018 |website=www.weibo.com |publisher=CCTV6 |language=zh }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|tt5846644|A Better Tomorrow 2018}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|a_better_tomorrow_2018|A Better Tomorrow 2018}}
{{A Better Tomorrow}} {{Ding Sheng}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Better Tomorrow 2018, A}} Category:2018 films Category:Chinese action films Category:Chinese crime drama films Category:2018 crime drama films Category:Sparkle Roll Media films Category:Films directed by Ding Sheng Category:Films set in Shandong Category:Yakuza films Category:2018 Mandarin-language films Category:2018 Chinese films