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黑玫瑰義結金蘭 (1997)
Black Rose II


Reviewed by: MrBooth
Date: 01/07/2006
Summary: Truly hilarious and mind-bending

Black Rose 2 is a comedy from Jeff Lau, who writes (under his pseudonym Kay On) and directs. It's a sort of nostalgic spoof of movies from the 60's, with Nancy Sit playing The Black Rose - a movie character who has grown old in her secret lair, forgotten by the world. Jan Lam plays a young delivery boy whose love interest gets kidnapped by loan sharks. Hoping to rescue her he seeks help from The Black Rose, forcing her to face the world once more. Or something like that.

Plot and themes are of tangential interest, as the movie is mostly just scenes of mo lei tau humour. The movie is very silly indeed! It's also fantastically creative and imaginative, constantly turning up surprises and clever pieces of idiocy. It's the kind of movie that Hong Kong does best, but rarely does anymore - a movie where absolutely anything goes. The kind of movie you'd never see from Hollywood.

Nancy Sit and Spencer Lam are wonderful as the relics from a cinematic past, at once absolutely ridiculous and terribly classy. Youngsters Jan Lam and Desiree Lam also give very good performances as the representatives of the modern world (which is equally ridiculous in Jeff Lau's eyes).

Personally, I had as much fun watching Black Rose II as I have had with any other movie in a long time. From the brilliantly conceived opening credit sequence to the surreal music video that follows the end credits, it is a constant surprise and delight. My girlfriend, on the other hand, hated it. I guess it depends how much value you place on originality in your movies. I'm guessing it's the mind-bending inventiveness that draws most of us to Hong Kong Cinema though, and this is a near perfect example. Essential viewing!


High recommendation!

Reviewer Score: 10

Reviewed by: pjshimmer
Date: 04/02/2003

Traditional Cantonese wack, ocassionally poking fun at primitive film-making (i.e. B&W). I'm not familiar with the Black Rose character, but my impression is that she has been portrayed in many movies throughout the last century. The best thing about this movie is Sandra Ng at her wacky best. Her character speaks words backwards! And the hysterical laugh too. Irresistable.

[7/10]


Reviewed by: hktopten
Date: 12/21/1999

Pretty bad considering it was Tony Leung who carried the first two.


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

Heroine Black Rose disappeared from the world 30 years ago.Actually she was rejected by the man she loves, Lui Kei, and thus trapped him in a house. 30 years later, Black Rose meets a young man Ah Mo. The girl he loves Tic Tac is kidnapped by the evil Suen Mui Tong (Sour Plum Soup), so he asks Black Rose to help. Lui Kei while trying to talk Black Rose into saving Tic Tac finally falls in love with her. Suen Mui Tong discovers Black Rose is still alive, which brings up the history of hate between Black Rose and her mother......

[Reviewed by Next Magazine]