A squabbling set of mismatched cops solve a case and woo a pair of girls in Joe Cheung’s action-comedy Rosa, now on a new Blu-Ray via 88 Films.
The Film
Rosa is a mismatched buddy cop comedy, the sort of Police Academy-esque kind of idiots go big and broad to try to solve a case, with a cascade of comedy sequences bumbling their way to solving, leading into more action bits (it’s a comedy first, martial arts action film second) by the climax. It’s the light, easy fare that serves exactly what it’s aiming at: fun sequences of action and comedy for an entertaining couple of hours; even if compared to similar films (from 1986, it comes as part of a wave in Hong Kong buddy cop action-comedies), it might lack.
The plot, as it is: Little Monster, legend Yuen Biao, and Lui Gung, singer/actor Lowell Lo, are a pair of cops, originally on edge and forced together. First, they fight since Biao hurt Lo’s sister by accident during a case, and he’s protective of her and hotheaded. In looking for clues for their case, they get involved with the titular Rosa, a model in deep with the mob. You can guess here that there’s also the travails of each guy getting involved with the women, the sweet sister, and the tougher Rosa.
It’s a film with plenty of slapstick, pratfalls, fun movement uses, costumes, and more than its share of sitcom situations. The plot, fighting over the undeveloped film McGuffin and all the underworld characters coming and going, kidnapping, threatening, and causing trouble for our quad, is secondary to the bits. The sequences work well, earning laughs, often with the sheer audacity of our heroes. It’s usually fun to watch them bumble into and out of situations, usually with some action, fights, and chases.
It’s really just an excuse for the comedy. Rosa is a fun popcorn action flick, one that is often entertaining but ultimately a bit standard, with some great moments. The main pair plays off one another well. Lu Hsiao-Fen as Rosa is a wonderful force. They hit the action beats with aplomb and well-choreographed fights, when they happen. Sister Kra Ying Hung Wai has a great rapport as well and is allowed some awesome action in the end. As a film, Rosa serves its purpose just fine. It’s engaging and energetic; nothing deep or genre shifting. For fans of the sub-genres, it’ll work well enough.
Yuen Biao is an energetic performer. He has a star shine. I can see why he was grouped with Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan as part of “The Three Brothers” after working together in the Peking Opera and then breaking into film. Their work as leads with a comic sense of timing and fun to their fights, using their amazing technical skills to translate to the screen for more bombastic and showy fights for audiences, breaking out from mere martial arts-focused movies to larger plots and subgenres that also feature plenty of fighting.
As was the case in the movies on the Hung box set, also released today and featuring Biao on Shanghai Shanghai, it could use far fewer rape and sexual assault jokes; so many jokes and moments were based on Rosa’s breasts. I guess it’s more of the time and culture (not a regional thing, rewatch 80 American comedies for the same), but it makes parts uncomfortable in a modern lens. The same can be said about a scene featuring blackface.
PS Rosa was produced by Sammo Hung, I’m on a streak with him in recent months!
Image via 88 Films
The Package
88 Films puts together a nice “deluxe collectors edition” of the 1986 film. The single-disc Blu-ray comes in a hard case with a reversible sleeve, one side featuring original poster art, the other featuring new art from Sean Longmore. It also comes with a bound 40-page collector’s booklet and a postcard. All are contained in a thick box with the two art choices on either side. A slipcover O-sleeve slides over the box and has the new art.
The Presentation
The new 2k restoration from the original negative is impressive. Clear and free of imperfections; looks great. Audio is the 2.0 mono in Cantonese and English. English subtitles are available.
The Features
2 Commentaries
- Hong Kong cinema experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto.
- Hong Kong Cinema expert David West
Funny enough, the first pair also covers the Biao-Hung film Shanghai, Shanghai on the Samm Hung box set. They are more energetic than the bit drier West, but both commentaries are great, covering a great wealth of information about the film, its stars, its place in genre, and anything you can think of. There isn’t much crossover, so they complement one another well.
Interview with Joe Cheung and Benz Kong
The director and assistant director speak of their history and this film. Insightful and reflective. Lots of love for Sammo Hung. (23m)
English Opening and Closing Titles
Just as it says, with some outtakes over the end credits. (3m)
Image Gallery
Some stills, lobby cards, and posters
Original Trailer
A very long trailer at 4m highlights all the action. And pushes Sammo Hung’s connection.
Booklet
A well-packaged booklet with film info, a slew of lobby cards and stills, and the draw of such things, two essays on the film: one on 80s action-comedies of Hong Kong and the other on Baio and Hui’s careers.
Final thoughts
88 Films continues my education in Hong Kong cinema, and I’m glad for it. Yuen Biao is a real star, leading the sitcomy movie with some great moments and chemistry. Rosa is a fun flick and well worth a watch. 88 Films’ limited edition is a great package with the pair of commentaries, an interview, and the booklet.