In this remake of John Woo's 1986 classic, director Ding Sheng delivers a similar story but with a different setting.

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).

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.

But despite a wavering tone, some heavy-handed references, it still manages to introduce interesting variations, and benefits from Wang Kai's charisma.

"[21] 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.