The festival of Yulan (Eating Ghosts) is a perfect backdrop in which to set a Horror film. “The Haunted Cop Shop” is one such movie and brings the combination of slapstick horror that only Hong Kong Cinema seems to be able to consistently nail down.
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On the eve of the Festival of Yulan, Sneaky Ming (Billy Lau) is brought in for questioning about a stolen crucifix. After being tricked by Man (Ricky Hui) and Kam (Jacky Cheung) he is placed in a cell only to be freed by ghosts who lure him into releasing the spirit of a long dead Japanese General. As things start to get out of hand, Man, Kam and their new boss Fanny Ho (Kitty Chan) find investigating spirits not easy to prove and increasingly more dangerous.
The paradox between modern culture and adherence to traditional ways has always made Hong Kong a fertile area for horror. The rather grim backstory of the police station's past as a Japanese club during the Occupation, furthers the link between past and present. The Dracula look of the undead Japanese General is, perhaps, a further hint of previous occupiers of the former colony.
Jeff Lau was to go onto a successful career in comedy movies with several hits featuring Stephen Chow. Here, in one of his earlier works, he demonstrates a sure hand with his direction. The shift between comedy and horror is for the most part consistent with some expertly timed jumps/gags. The true revelation of Sneaky Ming's transformation is one example of the film's ability to switch tone in a heartbeat. The build up and pay offs do generate suspense and there is enough uncertainty as to whether the pay off will be comic or horrific to keep you on your toes.
As ever, humour is subjective. Some watchers may find the fate of police dog Lucky in particularly poor taste (Dog lovers are forewarned) and inevitably some of the slapstick is a bit hit and miss. When it comes together though, it succeeds in both making you jump and laugh. It also has the ability to surprise with the usual cliched ghost hunting Sifu role not going according to expectations.
Kitty Chan gets little to do other than be the straight lady for the most part, and Jacky Cheung makes for a good double act alongside Ricky Hui, whose hangdog expressions can generate laughs on their own. With Billy Lau also in the cast, comparison with “Mr Vampire” is inevitable and whilst not on par with that classic, this film still entertains. It's only the finale that really lets down as other sequences during the movie have a better balance and the overly slapstick finish does grate a little.
Imitation is not always flattery and in Hong Kong cinema, imitation is usually about box office. In the wake of “Mr Vampire” a whole wave of imitators followed. “The Haunted Cop Shop”, whilst sharing cast members, at least does things a bit differently with a modern setting and some excellent direction. Whilst its humour may not appeal to everyone and the ending is a bit of a letdown, it's a perfectly enjoyable hour and a half of spooky highjinks.
