A Better Tomorrow 1991

Sung Tse-Ho is a high-ranking member of a formidable triad in Hong Kong, overseeing a profitable operation that specializes in printing and distributing forged American banknotes. As a well-respected figure within his organization, Ho is entrusted with the most critical transactions. Accompanying him is his best friend, bodyguard, and business partner, Mark Lee. The story kicks off by presenting a day in their life, where they observe the latest counterfeit notes being produced and engage with international clients in exchange for fake Hong Kong dollar bills.

Amidst this illicit life, Ho’s younger sibling, Kit, has just completed high school and is in training to become a police officer. Ho keeps his life of crime hidden from Kit, supporting his brother’s career aspirations while their ailing father beseeches him to abandon his shady dealings. Ho ultimately concedes that he will leave the triad following his next deal in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Shing, a lower-tier triad member, seeks Ho’s mentorship, but the duo finds themselves ambushed by Taiwanese triads during their operations. In a furious shootout, Ho and Shing manage to escape into a sewage tunnel while evading local law enforcement. Sacrificing his freedom, Ho surrenders, allowing Shing the chance to flee, which results in Ho serving a three-year prison sentence.

While Ho is behind bars, the triad makes a dire move by attempting to kidnap their father to ensure Ho’s silence. Tragically, their father is mortally wounded when Kit and his girlfriend, Jackie, intervene. In his final moments, he implores Kit to forgive Ho for his past actions, sparking a deep rage within Kit who blames Ho for their father’s demise. After Ho’s release, he is approached by a corrupt officer who offers him a chance to return to the triad, but Ho is resolved to turn over a new leaf. He takes a job with a taxi service run by another former inmate named Ken.

During a shift, Ho unexpectedly meets Mark, who is now a shadow of his former self, plagued by bitterness and brokenness following Shing’s betrayal that stripped him of his status in the triad. Their reunion is bittersweet, with Mark urging Ho to confront Shing. However, Ho is reluctant. Seeking redemption, he approaches Kit, now a police officer, but finds that Kit still harbors resentment towards him for their father’s death and believes their relationship is hindering his professional advancement. Driven by a desire to prove his worth and separate from his brother, Kit fixates on bringing down Shing, disregarding Ho’s warnings.

As Shing learns about Ho’s return to Hong Kong, he attempts to coax Ho back into the fold, proposing they expand their operations into drug trafficking. Ho stands firm in his refusal, however, this only incites Shing to retaliate, leading to violent assaults on the taxi service which leave Mark badly injured and Kit ensnared in a trap that nearly costs him his life. Ultimately, Ho feels compelled to take action, galvanized by Mark’s persistence.

In a daring move, Mark steals a computer chip containing vital data from the counterfeiting operation, revealing that it was Shing who set the ambush three years prior. Meanwhile, Shing orchestrates the assassination of triad leader Yie, framing Ho for the murder afterwards. Armed with evidence against Shing, Ho and Mark strike a deal to exchange the information for money and safe passage. Ho aims to ensure that Kit receives the proof of Shing’s treachery.

At the designated pier, Ho urges Mark to escape with the boat while they prepare for a standoff. However, just as Kit arrives intending to arrest Shing, he becomes a hostage. The situation escalates, leading to a tense standoff that erupts into chaos. Ho and Kit join forces against Shing’s men but soon find themselves outnumbered. Hearing the turmoil, Mark rushes back to assist, and as they fight together, they inflict injuries upon Shing’s henchmen but also suffer their own.

In a brief moment of respite, Ho attempts to reconcile with Kit, only to face rejection once again. Mark takes it upon himself to remind Kit that Ho’s current actions signify a path of redemption. Yet, amid the chaos, Mark falls victim to Shing’s gunfire. With the police closing in, Shing arrogantly proclaims that his wealth and influence will guarantee his escape. In a final twist, Kit hands Ho his weapon, enabling him to take Shing down once and for all. Handcuffed together, the brothers walk towards the awaiting police, signaling a complicated yet crucial step toward brotherhood and resolution.