Two bumbling police officers must fight a resurrected evil Japanese colonel and his army of vampire-like undead during the Ghost Festival.
Director Jeff Lau’s “The Haunted Cop Shop” isn’t hard to follow. That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s easy to describe its plot, which is somewhat convoluted and slightly incoherent. This messy approach to storytelling somehow doesn’t hinder the film as much as you might expect. The film follows a pair of Hong Kong cops, played by Jacky Cheung and Ricky Hui, as they race to stop a ghost-vampire (Rico Chu) from wreaking havoc on the city. This film was co-written by Wong Kar-Wai, who directed such movies as “Chungking Express,” “Fallen Angels,” and “In the Mood for Love.”
This film isn’t meant to be taken seriously—at all. Nearly everything that happens is presented in a slapstick manner. The rules governing the ghost-vampires are slightly confusing. These beings are said to be ghosts but operate like vampires. It doesn’t help that the characters use the terms interchangeably, which can leave you unsure whether they are ghosts or vampires. Still, it’s goofy fun if you can jump on board with what the film is selling (and aren’t too bothered by its frequently bawdy—and sexist—humor).
For those craving Halloween-themed hijinks, Lau’s film is filled with spooky, eye-popping imagery, even though it stays campy and never gets frightening. An early sequence features striking, exaggerated lighting as a prisoner (Billy Lau) is guided by the police station’s ghosts to release the lead vampire. The film also has some nicely choreographed comedic sequences—one of which involves Billy Lau handcuffed to a chair.
“The Haunted Cop Shop” is unleashed on Blu-ray™ by 88 Films, sporting a transfer from a new 2K remaster of the original negatives. This disc looks fantastic. The imagery is detailed and vibrant with a filmic texture; there is no noticeable dirt or debris. The soundtrack, presented in PCM 2.0 mono, is mostly clear with only occasional harshness and hiss, neither of which is overly distracting.
Supplemental features include a commentary track by Frank Djeng, an interview with James Mudge, alternate and extended shots from the film’s Mandarin version, an image gallery, and a trailer. The initial pressings include a sturdy slipcover and a double-sided fold-out poster with the film’s original artwork and new art by Sean Longmore.
Overall, “The Haunted Cop Shop” is a hoot. I caught myself laughing out loud several times throughout the movie. While the film is extremely goofy, I think that is part of its charm. 88 Films’ Blu-ray Disc offers an excellent viewing experience. Here’s hoping the film’s sequel soon follows.
Available on Blu-ray™ October 6th from 88 FILMS
