Customer Reviews

Bulletproof Monk [VHS]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

The reasons I enjoyed this movie are: 1. Chow Yun Fat. This superb actor never fails to give his best to any type of role he undertakes. He often overcomes any flaws in the script itself, and I feel that is what he did here. He has played many different types of characters and never repeats himself. I enjoyed his humour as well as his action scenes. They were suberbly choreographed. I believe that the presence of John Woo had much to do with that.
2. I was delighted to see that this movie, unlike many others today, was more than just a lot of action but had some plot, laughs,excitement,and genuine fun for the audience.
3. I liked that the heros did some good deeds such as saving a person from the wheels of a subway train, and returning a wallet to a man on the street,etc. But then, when Mr. Chow has played the bad guy in many of his Asian films, he always had the persona of a villian with a heart, such as going back into a burning building in one old film to save a baby
4.I was a bit disappointed in the lack of a lot of lush scenery and sets, but what was there was appropiate to the plot.
5. The fight between the two women reminded me of "Crouching Tiger, ....." Go see it you'll like it!

Going into this movie it can go either way depending on the audience participation. The movie starts off really well with a great mix of both comedy and action and like I said before it all depends on the audience participation. There will be points when the film requires you to take in a joke inorder to follow through to the next one. Sometimes the jokes are great and lead into a great action sequence that will have you repeating character dialouge and saying "How did you do that?" Chow Yun Fat has to be one of my favorite and fourth as the most recognizable Asian actors. Most people will go in with the deep impression of Crouching Tiger and it will help when Yun Fat passes on some comedic dialouge. Fifteen or twenty minutes into the movie you'll start to get this Matrix vibe that takes away from a great action comedy. Still the characters draw you in with a fantastic comedic performance. Unfortunatly though the movie starts to become to predictable towards the end and get a little off touch with the over all concept of the film. A crazy Tim Roth looking guy comes into play and the whole movie starts to stink to high heaven. It reminded me to much of those cheesy made for the big screen video game flicks like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Overall though it made me laugh and that's pretty much what I was looking for. A little disappointed with the lack of traditional martial arts fight sequences that I was expecting from Yun Fat but as I said overall it was entertaining. A great comedy but a so-so action film.

Having recently read the Bulletproof Monk comic, on which this film is based, and been less than thrilled with it, I was kind of reluctant to see the film. On the one hand, the source material reeked. On the other hand, Chow Yun-Fat is an action-film God....Finally curiousity won out, and I decided to give Bulletproof Monk a shot. (Get it? Bulletproof...? Shot...? Never mind....)

The film mercifully departs from the Comic almost immediately, and boy, was I glad! Yun-Fat plays the nameless Monk, who is not so much bulletproof as able to dodge bullets (Think Keanu in The Matrix...). He's charged with protecting an ancient scroll that can bring about the end of the world. As the film opens (In the 1940's), his monastary is beseiged by Nazi's seeking the scroll. After the Monk escapes with the scroll, we flash forward 60 Years, as the un-aged Monk meets up with a young pickpocket (Seann William Scott). The Monk decides to train him in the Monkly Arts, and before you know it, that pesky Nazi is back, menacing our Monk from his wheelchair. (Yeah, it's goofy, but it's a lot of fun.) Throw in the gorgeous James King as a butt kickin' Kung-Fu girl, and you've got the recipe for a good time. The villains are villainous, the Heroes are heroic, the action is cool, and the one-liners fly fast and furious. Yun-Fat is delightfully droll as the Monk, delivering ancient wisdom with a sly smirk on his face. One small quibble: I'm glad the filmmakers decided to scrap the Comic's storyline, but it's too bad they couldn't stay closer the book's all-Asian cast of characters. (No offense to Scott and King, both of whom were great in their roles....It'd just be nice to see Hollywood be a little more colorblind in their casting choices.)

Chow Yun-Fat plays a nameless monk in charge of protecting a sacred scroll possessing mystical powers so great that who ever reads the scroll would be endowed with the ability to turn the world into a paradise or a living hell. Now, my first thought was if this dang thing poses such a potential danger to the world, why not just destroy it? Well, another reviewer stated that the reason it was so closely protected and not destroyed, as spelled out in the movie, was that the human race just wasn't ready for such power at this time.

Anyway, Chow is the latest in a long line of protectors, and each protector has the responsibility for a period of 60 years, and then they pass on the responsibility to another chosen one. Why 60 years? Who knows? I guess just because it's in the script. Also know that whoever is chosen as protector of the scroll is endowed with special powers, one being that the protector doesn't suffer the effects of time. The reasoning for that is as the protector protects the scroll, so shall the scroll protect the protector. So now Chow's 60 year term as guardian comes to its' end, he's looking for the next protector, who comes in the form of Kar (Sean William Scott), a petty thief and pickpocket who lives in a movie theater and learned martial arts by imitating old kung fu movies. Oh yeah, for like the last 60 years Chow has been pursued by a crazed Nazi intent on stealing the scroll, taking the power, and cleansing the Earth of so called inferior races.

Jaime King plays Jade, Kar's love interest. As I watched the movie, it seemed to me that her character had no real reason for being in the movie other than giving the male viewers an attractive woman to look at, but by the end, we are enlightened to the importance of her role in the outcome of the storyline. I thought her connection to the other characters in the movie was paper thin, but hey, whatever...the actress I most enjoyed watching was Victoria Smurfit. She played Nina, the grand daughter to the psycho Nazi and is helping him to acquire the sacred scroll. She is truly easy on the eyes and seemed to make the most of what little screen time she had. The movie, based on a comic book, plays out that way, keeping things pretty simple with lots of action, some humor, a smidgen of romance, and a little philosophical nonsense thrown in for good measure. Suspension of disbelief is required throughout the movie, but I kinda enjoy this film, as it reminded me of some of those old Hong Kong chop socky movies.

As far as extras go, there are some deleted scenes, an alternate ending, some 'making of' stuff and the usual trailers. I would be hard pressed for anyone to run out and buy this movie, but if you're looking for a fun way to kill an hour and a half, this works pretty well.

Ok people, lets get some things strait here. I'm reading these reviews and find myself confused. I keep reading things like the characters aren't developed enough or there isn't enough philosophical value or that the acting isn't good enough. WHAT KIND OF MOVIE DID YOU EXPECT TO SEE?? This is an action film based on a comic book which meens the action will be over the top, characters will be silly, acting won't be the best, and the story won't make the film nominated for best film of the year, but that is exactly what I wanted to see when I walked into the theater. This movie isn't Crouching Tiger. It's a movie with a unbeliavable plot, which in its way was good to me, and very cool, gravity-defying martial arts scens. If you lik that you'll like this movie.

No matrix, but then at times the Matrix isn't even itself. Bullet proof Monk is good but not great. The action is ok, the dialogue isn't bad and the plot was a good idea that just needs some work in spots. Such as Sean William Scott's love interest, she was kinda cool, but i'm afraid I didn't quite sympthasize with her point of views. That and they killed of one of the main characters just a little too quickly, and then took to long on another.I know this sounds like I can't make up my mind, but they needed an equalizer for the deaths of the bad guys.

A decent action thriller with enough romance for the girls, and machoism for the guys. That, everybody comes away from the film feeling as the good guys got the decent reward, even if it seemed to obvious of an outcome.

Tibetan Buddhism is a pure betrayal of Buddhism, of Buddha himself. It dares go beyond Buddha's teaching and reinvent a divinity of some kind where Buddha had taught there could not be any God anywhere. The great force that leads the universe in the eternal cycle from birth to rebirth via decay and death is transmuted into some kind of prophecy about some kind of truth to keep against human greed in order to save the world, and that truth is entrusted to one person who remains beyond aging, will not decay in other words, for as long as he will carry this trust and responsibility. When the time has come he will have to transmit his responsibility to the newly elected person who fulfills the three prophecies and the guardian will finally age and take a vacation leaving the burden to the new warden. Buddha would be ashamed of such primitive beliefs if he could witness such naïve sagas. And the film goes slightly beyond by deciding that the new warden will be double and will be a man and a woman, a heterosexual couple in one word, Hollywood trying to save Tibetan Buddhism from the righteous accusation of being deeply and profoundly and exclusively sexist, that is to say anti-women, or at least closed to women. It also takes advantage of the film to move Tibet to New York, to add a little bit of Nazism in all that, and to entrust the serious mission to two Caucasian non-Tibetan "goyim" instead of one good old Asian, Tibetan if possible, Buddhist monk. But that is only a film. True. But what a laughable fable. Luckily there are the spectacular fights and contortions and acrobatics to save the whole fairy tale from too much shallowness.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

I've been trying to watch "Bulletproof Monk" for the last four days. It seems that everytime I would begin to watch it, something would come up that would tear me away from it. The beginning of that film(in fact, the first hour), is very good. It opens with a brilliant battle between Chow Yun-Fat and his mentor, the monk without a name. At the end of this battle, which is really a test, Yun-Fat is christened as the new monk with no name and is given the responsibility of protecting a scroll that holds the key to world domination. Of course, those pesky Nazis have an interest in this artifact and they show up just as our hero takes charge of the scroll. He manages to escape and winds up in New York City....sixty years later. It seems that those who protect the scroll earn the trust of time and do not age. Yun-Fat has come to turn the scroll over to a new protector, whom he thinks is Seann William Scott(Stiffler, of "American Pie" fame). The interaction between the two is great, better than the chemistry between Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. Not long after the duo meet up, Scott runs into a gang of baddies who decide he is crossing their turf. A fight ensues and we are introduced to the character of Jade, played convincingly by Jaime King. Not long after that, I was interrupted on three occasions at roughly the same time during the film.

I finally managed to watch the entire flick last night, and I must say that after the battle with Funktastic, the movie sort of levels off on action and humor. Both are still present, but not of the same caliber as the beginning of the film. Chow Yun-Fat shows us that he can pull off both comedy and drama, though I felt he gave a better performance in "The Replacement Killers." Scott, playing pickpocket Kar, proves that there is something besides Stiffler under his skin. As stated before, the duo have wonderful onscreen chemistry and hopefully we'll get to see them together again.

The action in this flick is fun to watch. Some of the moves are performed in the good ol' kung fu movie vein using wires and a little slo-mo, but they only add to the fun. The best battle is at the beginning of the flick, but the final conflict between Nazis and monks is pretty good. The only weightless "fight" is between King and Scott, with a love/hate battle akin to the "battle" between Elektra and Daredevil in a local park in one of the weakest moments of "Daredevil."

Overall, this is a very watchable and very enjoyable flick. Though it loses some steam after the first hour and the ending is a little subpar, it still deserves a strong three stars.

Recommended to fans of old kung-fu movies, Jacki Chan flicks, and buddy comedies. Language isn't too bad, and the PG-13 rating is more for the violence than anything else, so older children(above thirteen) should be okay watching this flick.

Sixty years ago, a Monk gave up his name and was given the responsibility of protecting 'The Scroll.' Along with the responsibility came great power--the Monk does not age, and he is, well, 'Bullet Proof,' which gives us the name of the movie: "Bullet Proof Monk." Shortly after his master gave him this power, the Monk with No Name's master was killed by Nazis searching for the scroll. The secret of the scroll gives the one that reads it incredible power. With his master and brothers kille, the Monk sets out to wonder the Earth, protecting the scroll.

Fast forward sixty years to the present. The Monk, played by Chow Yun-Fat finds himself in the United States. He hasn't aged and he is a bit of a drifter. Almost by chance, he stumbles upon a street-wise pick pocket, played by Sean William Scott, that appears to have a good heart underneath a rough exterior. In short order, the fate of the two are intertwined. The Monk imposes himself, in a manner of speaking, upon Kar, the pickpocket, in his attempts to avoid the Nazis and protect the Scroll.

As other reviews have mentioned, this is a comic book movie at heart. The action is incredible and inspired by 'The Matrix' and modern day martial arts flicks. The relationship between Kar and the Monk is classic 'buddy movie' fare. The villain is extraordinarily evil, willing to destroy anyone that stands in his way of the scroll and world domination.

The Good: at the top of the list is Chow Yun-Fat. He was probably the ideal choice for this role. His demeanor is perfect and he comes off as the wise mentor and humble monk perfectly. The action scenes were also fun to watch. There is nothing revolutionary, and after films like 'The Matrix' they might seem pedestrian to some, but they are fun nonetheless. Also, the prophecies are fun to watch come to life.

The Bad: the villains. They are almost a little too stock. None of them have any depth. The Nazi is just evil and hateful. His blonde sidekick had potential, but in the end, she is underdeveloped as well.

The Ugly: nothing really that bad to complain about. The one thing that might rank an ugly rating would be the alternate ending. Lets just be thankful that version of the film didn't make the final cut.

Overall, I'd recommend this movie. Don't set your expectations too high, and you won't be disappointed. There is a decent set of DVD extras for the enthusiast, but nothing earth shattering. Martials arts die hards will be disappointed, but all others should at least be entertained.

I've enjoyed "Bulletproof Monk." The mystical elements lift the film a cut above the action picture genre, of which this is not a great example. However, the scroll, which contains a secret message that could be used for good or bad and gives special powers including youth to its protector, is an interesting premise. Obviously, day-to-day embrace of spiritual values of truth, beauty & goodness would not be enough to entice Hollywood production; so this little Hollywood placebo is great where being spiritual transforms one into being able to spin around and jump up to a second story window. Paul Hunter keeps the pace jumping, despite the film's inconsistencies. Chow Yun-Fat is a great actor who has yet to be fully appreciated. I've watched "Corrupter" 5 times just to see the edgy depth he brings to a part. Here as the nameless monk he offers considerable depth, humor and sparkle to what is fairly flat material. Seann William Scott from "American Pie" is amazingly likeable for a pickpocket; and carries his weight as the romantic lead. James "Jamie" King from "Blow," "Pearl Harbor," "Slackers," and numerous magazine covers does a great job as Bad Girl Jade who lives a split life between wealth and the street, although one is never quite sure why. Karel Rodel as Strucker the Nazi is fairly flat and predictably evil. Victoria Smurfit as his granddaughter Nina is irritatingly evil with a one-note role. Mako makes a nice cameo as Mr. Kojima. It's been a long time since he was nominated for an Oscar in "Sand Pebbles" with Steve MacQueen back in 1966; and it's good to see him again. The special features on the DVD include a discussion with the comic book writers who are delighted that this is a film and a documentary about training Seann & Jamie as action heroes. This is one of those films I enjoy because good wins in the end. The action keeps the film moving quickly and breezes to a quick climax. While not classic, it's one to enjoy.