Verdict
Summary
A screwball romantic comedy with a doozy of an action climax in a warehouse that pits four against dozens, Rosa is imminently likable and fun with two cute chicks who can kick ass and two knucklehead heroes who struggle to keep up with their scrappy gals. Biao keeps the whole thing afloat with his quick and easy charm, while everyone else coasts on his persona. 88 Films went above and beyond with their premium Limited Edition release of Rosa with a gorgeous transfer from a 2K restoration, but their presentation is stellar as well with a chunky hardback shell, a thick booklet, a postcard, and choice special features to cap it all off.
Plot:
Two cops must protect a material witness with valuable evidence against a crime syndicate, and they get mixed up with the witness’s scrappy girlfriend.
Review:
When luck – or fate – pairs two polar opposite undercover cops on the force, they forget the fact that they’re enemies for the time being and work together for the first time. Spry and agile Ha (Yuen Biao) is the brains and the brawn, while “Mustache” Lui Gung (Lowell Lo) is the quick tempered, impulsive pit bull, and their task is to somehow procure a roll of film, which is crucial evidence that could put a crime syndicate away for good. Their witness is an elusive, hard-to-catch recluse, who has a mark of death out on him, and the best way the cops are going to find him is to cozy up to his girlfriend, the busty Rosa (Lu Hsiao-Fen) who’s up to her neck in debts to bookies who are closing in on her to collect. When Ha and Mustache offer her protection from the debtors, Mustache falls hard for her, despite the fact that she’s nothing but trouble, while Ha ends up falling for his partner’s sister (Kara Hui), who will be an invaluable asset later on when the four of them go up against hordes of thugs. With mix-ups, foul-ups, and no plan at all to get the evidence and keep it away from the assassins and crime syndicate, just staying alive and in one piece will be the ultimate trick for this crew of rapscallions.
A screwball romantic comedy with a doozy of an action climax in a warehouse that pits four against dozens, Rosa is imminently likable and fun with two cute chicks who can kick ass and two knucklehead heroes who struggle to keep up with their scrappy gals. Biao keeps the whole thing afloat with his quick and easy charm, while everyone else coasts on his persona. Producer Sammo Hung and director Joe Cheung make the entire production a fun affair with crackerjack comedy and high flying kicks and some dangerous looking stunts that they mostly save for the climax, although there are plenty of moments sprinkled throughout the film to keep your eyes peeled. Fans of the heyday of action / comedies from Hong Kong should get a kick out of this one, no question about it.
88 Films went above and beyond with their premium Limited Edition release of Rosa with a gorgeous transfer from a 2K restoration, but their presentation is stellar as well with a chunky hardback shell, a thick booklet, a postcard, and choice special features to cap it all off. It strikes me as curious as to why they didn’t go the next step and release a 4K disc as well, but I’m perfectly content with this release just as it is.
Bonus Materials
- LIMITED EDITION RIGID SLIP CASE WITH NEW ARTWORK BY SEAN LONGMORE
- LIMITED EDITION 40 PAGE PERFECT BOUND BOOK
- LIMITED EDITION PREMIUM ARTCARD
- BRAND NEW 2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE
- REMASTERED ORIGINAL CANTONESE MONOAURAL SOUNDTRACK
- NEWLY TRANSLATED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
- AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DAVID WEST
- IMAGE GALLERY
- ORIGINAL TRAILER