For Tony Leung Ka-fai fans, please note that the preacher from Young and Dangerous has taken over his role from the original. The surprise success of 92 La Rose Noire is a result of Jeff Lau's expression of personal sensibilities using the plots, characters and feel of old Cantonese films. The exaggerated directing, scripting and acting recreate the primitive allure of Cantonese cinema, paying homage to a faded era. Five years later, Black Rose goes for the same trick but no improvement is offered. From the devising of plots to the quality of the acting to the continuation of sentiments, the film is still locked in the same gear.
Nothing is done to enhance the unique campy feeling of the original.
Once again, other films are plagiarised. Looks like Lau has not changed his ways and being able to deliver the film in the cans is satisfaction enough for his boss. To begin with, the breakthrough creativity of the previous film is lacking. Also, the new cast's performances cannot match those of the old. The film, however, has a unique style, operating on an alternative logic of its own and an absurd humour that finds no peer.