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Bulletproof Monk - 4/16/03 - PG-13 - 104m
Chow
Yun-Fat - Monk
Scott Seann William - Kar
Jamie King - Jade
Director: Paul Hunter
Written by: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris
JEF
Well, I almost gave this movie a green light but took off a few
points for it’s lack of originality and decided to give it a yellow
light. That being said, it’s still an entertaining movie.
Storyline: Chow Yun Fat plays the roll of the “bulletproof
Monk”. A man who has given up his name and only goes by the generic
name of “Monk”. He has been given the task of protecting a
scroll, that gives him some supernatural powers such as self-healing (This
is how bulletproof comes into play, supposedly if he’s shot, he
will not die, and will heal himself). Monk’s term is 60 years to
protect the scroll, at which time he can pass on his role to another,
or can decide to keep the task for another 60 years. I forgot to mention,
in addition to being able to heal himself, he also does not age, so in
the 60 years time, he still appears as the somewhat older man that he
was, when he first received the scroll. Monk meets up with Kar (Sean William
Scott), who is a small time pickpocket thief on the streets of NY. Through
their chance meeting, Monk realizes through prophecies, that Kar, may
in fact be the next keeper of the scroll. Mix in a few more plot elements
like Monk is being chased by a crazy nazi bent on stealing the scroll
so he can have eternal youth, and Kar’s love interest in Jade, a
girl of the street who hangs with a local gang.
So I have to admit, I was entertained by this movie. Yes, there were certainly
some cheesy elements to this movie. The acting was poor in some parts
(mostly on Sean William Scott’s end), and some over the top special
effects of the Asian style fighting, but I kept telling myself to not
be so critical of this action-adventure, and just sit back and watch the
show. The movie had some strong resemblances to other movies such as,
The Matrix, Big Trouble Little China, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The
Golden Child, and just about any B-Movie Asian Kung-fu movie. The director
Paul Hunter only has another Mariah Carey music video under his belt,
so I can’t be too hard on him either. How many new directors now
are coming from the music video business? Chow Yun Fat (who was terrific
in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) did ok. His acting was ok to watch even
though the on screen chemistry with Sean seemed awkward at times. I think
he had better chemistry with Jamie King who played Jade, Kar’s love
interest.
The effects were ok, even though it was nothing new to see (including
the Matrix’s patented “Bullet time”).
To sum this one up, if you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon watching
the classic B-movie Asian Kung-Fu Theatre movies, then give this movie
a shot. There’s action, fighting, drama, fight scenes, and even
some classic philosophy thrown in to make you leave the theatre and truly
wonder why there are only 8 Hotdog rolls in a pack, when there are usually
10 Hotdogs.
Jef
Bullet Proof Monk
Buy This Original Poster At AllPosters.com