Overview: A standout Hong Kong crime thriller released amidst the wave of heroic bloodshed films that followed in the wake of John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow and Ringo Lam’s City on Fire, Flaming Brothers features Alan Tang and Chow Yun-fat (who was quickly rising to superstardom in the late 1980s) as triad brothers determined to protect their criminal operation - and each other - no matter what the cost.

Both orphaned at a young age, Cheung Ho-tin (Chow) and Chan Wai-lun (Tang) grew up together on the streets, forming a strong bond in their childhood that remains unbroken as they become triad brothers in adulthood. Having recently opened a nightclub together, they begin to feel that they have finally made it.

That is, at least, until they become embroiled in a conflict with the ruthless gangster Ko Lo-sei (Patrick Tse) and his right-hand man (Norman Chui), who threaten to take away everything that Tin and Lun have worked for.

In equal parts an action-packed thrill-ride and a rumination on the bonds of male friendship, Flaming Brothers boasts a screenplay written by Wong Kar-wai, the celebrated auteur who would go on to write and direct Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time in the US from a 2K restoration.

Blu-ray Verdict: Some over the years have called this film a mediocre HK action and even a tepid entry into the heroic bloodshed genre, but I completely disagree. When you have Chow yun-fat and violence so graphic it rivals the mayhem in films like The Big Heat (1987), The Killer (1989) and Full Contact (1993), what you have is a film for the ages, my friends.

I agree that it is a mish-mash of tried and tested Heroic Bloodshed cliché’s (blood brothers, scheming gangster brother, loved ones killed, revenge, etc.) but the way it is all presented will blow you away. You won’t believe how fast the movie moves along and you can give Wong kar-wai the credit for the script (this is before his brilliant As Tears Go By film in 1989). Chow gives his usual performance but he always manages to give a bit of something unique in his roles, if truth be told.

The violence is several levels above the standard. The gun battle scenes are not only bloody, they border into the gruesome (especially the shootout in Thailand). The violence includes people being blasted with shotguns in the face, a kid getting shot at point blank range and what heroic bloodshed film would be complete without the inevitable final showdown?!

In conclusion, this film is a must watch and although not as grand as the endings of A Better Tomorrow 2 (1987) or The Killer (1989), it is a larger variation of the shootout at the end of My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1989).

Bonus Features:
Limited to 2,000 copies
Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on Flaming Brothers by Hong Kong cinema expert Camille Zaurin
Flaming Brothers presented in 1080p HD from a new 2K restoration
Original Cantonese audio
Optional English dubbed audio
Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
New audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Archival interview with director Joe Cheung
Original theatrical trailer

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