Retro fun exists with this semi-enjoyable horror-comedy from two men who would go on to do greater things: Jeff Lau and Wong Kar-Wai. Lau directed this tolerably fun flick that's coherent by Jeff Lau standards. What that means is the film itself is messy and without any real pacing, but at least the nonsense doesn't become distracting.
     Ricky Hui and Jacky Cheung star as Chiu and Macky, two wacky cops who are witness to the resurrection of an evil Japanese vampire. It seems their police station was once a club for Japanese officers, but after the war they all got together and committed seppuku (ritual suicide). As a result, the station is haunted by the evil Japanese Colonel, who returns and promptly takes out lowlife thief Ming (Billy Lau). Chiu and Macky accidentally burn Ming up with sunlight, but no one believes them.
     To regain their credibility, the two attempt to prove the existence of creatures of the night to their fellow cops. This entails lots of wacky shtick, overdone mugging, and even a little tasteless dog butchering. What this all means is anyone's guess, but the filmmakers apparently weren't attempting anything serious or even remotely weighty. Wong Kar-Wai may have co-wrote the script, but it possesses none of his trademark post-modern self-reflection. Instead we get slapstick and potty humor. How refreshing.
      As an older Hong Kong film, The Haunted Cop Shop gets points simply for adhering to the eighties HK formula. That means all-out screwiness with no excuses. The energy and nonsensical humor can be fun, and Jacky Cheung and Ricky Hui are likable enough fellows. There are also some occasional moments of effective suspense, and some action that'll please the fans. And the "Crazy Mustache" guy from Yes, Madam makes an appearance as a Taoist priest. HK Cinemaphiles who choose to dial up this flick will most likely get what they expected.
     But is that enough? Viewing this sort of slapdash cinema with 20-20 hindsight can reveal a needlessness that renders movies like Haunted Cop Shop disposable. The film is certainly funny enough, but it lacks any qualities that could possibly propel it to the status of a Mr. Vampire. When it all comes down to it, the only necessity Haunted Cop Shop may have is as archival material. Now you can claim that you own every film with Wong Kar-Wai's paws on it. And, you can file it on your shelf under "H". (Kozo 2002)