Rosa

It doesn’t really matter if 1986’s Rosa is considered a comedy with elements of intense action or an action film with elements of broad comedy. Hong Kong audiences were eating up this particular brand of genre mashup during the industry’s golden era, blending established martial arts stars with crowd-pleasing comedians to offer up a little bit of everything on the cinematic menu. Produced by Sammo Hung’s Bo Ho Film Company, the savvy veteran gave his brother-in-arms Yuen Biao a rare leading role and a chance to reinvent himself in the modern HK martial arts mold.

Accidental partners “Little Monster” (Biao) and Lui Kung (Lowell Lo) are assigned to track down a missing roll of film that will put a ruthless band of counterfeiters behind bars. Their strategy involves getting close to a petty gangster’s former girlfriend, the titular Rosa, in hopes that the criminal element takes the bait. But, in Lui’s case, preferably not before he gets Rosa between the sheets...while Little Monster’s wish list involves hooking up with Lui’s sister (Kara Hui).

Remarkably similar to the Richard Dreyfuss-Emilio Estevez vehicle Stakeout released a year later, Rosa plays fast and loose with the buddy comedy concept. The gags hit often and obvious, with an emphasis on juvenile sexual pranks that stop just short of sexual harassment – most of the time. These horny side quests come complete with blackface gags, hemorrhoid jokes ,and acrobatic toe-sucking. But the “all-in-good-fun” attitude wins out in the end, the chemistry between Biao and Lo helping smooth out the politically incorrect antics.

What also helps? A terrific final fight sequence in a refrigerated warehouse where Biao and Kara Hui get to remind the audience just what made them superstars in the first place. Director Joe Cheung releases all that pent-up sexual frustration with a crate-smashing, shin-kicking, back-breaking finale that’s everything an HK action fan could hope for, while still maintaining the film’s sense of humor (an ingenious showdown between Biao and Dick Wei in a frozen meat locker has the combatants trading punches and pieces of clothing to keep warm). Rosa is the sort of breezy, anything-goes pop cinema that makes Hong Kong cinema so entertainingly unpredictable.

And 88 Films has lavished the special-edition treatment on this one with a new 2K restoration from the OCN, two audio commentaries, interviews, English opening and closing titles, image galleries, the original trailer, and a handsome slipcover. Don’t forget to read the included collector’s booklet featuring spot-on writing that explains just where Rosa fits in the complicated HK pantheon.