Bulletproof Monk

[dh1989]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JM75.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Plot: Based on the very underground comic book, an immortal Tibetan monk finds a mentor in a young street kid whom he can teach to protect the ancient scroll he's been guarding for the last sixty years. With the help of a sexy and elusive young woman named Bad Girl, they come together to do battle with the kung fu master who'll stop at nothing to get the scroll.

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Seann William Scott (American Pie 2), James King (Pearl Harbor), and Karel Roden (Blade II).

Directed By: Paul Hunter (Music Video Director).

Written By: Ethan Reiff (Men Of War) and Cyrus Voris (Demon Knight).

Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Comedy

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sexual content.

Running Time: 103 minutes.

Thoughts: I am quite excited to see this film. Before The Core was moved from November 2002 to March 2003, I thought THIS film looked like the big start of the summer movie season (big fun, and sometimes dumb, movies). The cast is great with Fat and Scott. Plus, I hope this provides a big break for the talented James King. The trailers are light-hearted and charming. I'll definitely try and find some time amid this busy Spring movie season to see this little flick.

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Release.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0245803/CN-51-29A.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0245803/2286.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/bulletproof_monk/jaime_king/monk.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/bulletproof_monk/jaime_king/monk2.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/bulletproof_monk/seann_william_scott/monk2.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/bulletproof_monk/_group_photos/chow_yun_fat6.jpg

[Tom Samborski]

Doesn't look that special to me. I'll rent it on video rather than seeing it in theaters. And I also noticed that bullet-time is being used in this movie, ugh.

[dh1989]

Here's a pair of reviews of Bulletproof Monk from Ain't It Cool News. One's positive and the other's negative.

First, the positive.....

Hey guys! BTH again, and I wanted to drop you guys a review of “Bulletproof Monk” I saw tonight. Here you go:

I have to say the only reason I went to this, and many of you will, is because of Chow Yun Fat. I keep waiting for his American movie that is going to knock the world over. By the way, “Anna and the King” was NOT it.

It also stars Seann William Scott (Road Trip & American Pie I, II), as Kar, an orphan who has learned Kung Fu from living in a Chinese movie theater (don’t ask). The story is about a Tibetan monk (Fat) who has been named the protector of ancient scrolls that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the world. The monk is getting to the end of his shift, and needs to find a new protector. He believes that to be Kar.

A group of bad guys/girls are chasing the monk and Kar to kill them, steal the scrolls and rule the world. The story is nothing new, and completely predictable. We’ve all seen this before, and I won’t even spoil it by telling the ending. You already know it. The reason to see this is how Chow Yun gets to the ending.

I have to say I walked in expecting very little, and I was pleasantly surprised. It has the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” kind of action/humor working here. It is definitely meant for a PG-13 audience. This is no Daredevil PG-13 of darkness and evil. Most of the action is light, fun and it is successful if that is what you want. Fat does his best Crouching Indiana Jones Tiger, and he seems to really be enjoying it. He’s funny, sarcastic and the action scenes are still good. This movie will be good for him, and it is so different from all those brutal HK roles of the past.

On the other hand Seann William Scott is doing a superb job of becoming the next Keanu. Of course he has his work cut out for him to beat out Kutcher and Hartnett. He does have his moments here, but mostly no charisma and even less range. He does have some decent comic timing, and you can tell he would love to be an action star (at least he’s been to the gym to look like it). He should get paid while he can. Of course from what you guys have been writing, he’s probably next in line for the Superman movie.

On the whole, the film is just a lot of fun. The sets are average. The bad guys are typical. The fight scenes are pretty good, though some of the effects on what I saw weren’t finished. Young teens should love it.

And the negative......

Bulletproof Monk (d. Paul Hunter, w. Ethan Reiff & Cyris Voris)

BULLETPROOF MONK should be a great film because it features a character named Mr. Funktastic. Mr. Funktastic (played with muscle-bound élan by Marcus Jean Pirae) is the ringleader of a bunch of colorful thugs straight out of Vancouver Central Casting – meaning they’re about as menacing as the toughs in Jackie Chan’s Rumble in the Bronx. And, man, he *really* loves his name. Just as any of us would do if we were known as Mr. Funktastic, he’s tattooed his moniker across his chest, and found clever ways to work his name into sexual braggadocio involving his emaciated plaything, Jade (Jamie King). This clearly gnaws at Jade because she vainly attempts to one-up Mr. Funktastic by dubbing herself “Bad Girl”. So, she’s not one for creativity, but give Jade some credit. She does work awfully hard at the “bad girl” routine by affecting a sullen moue whenever in Mr. Funktastic’s presence. At least, I think she does; it’s entirely possible that it’s less a pout than the natural sinking of her cheeks from lack of nourishment.

One thing I can say for certain: Jade aka “Bad Girl” is out of her damn fool mind. Not content to ride out a good thing with Mr. Funktastic, Jade goes running off with some two-bit pickpocket named Kar (Seann William Scott) at the first sight of his patchwork kung-fu. Let’s be generous, and forgive her weakness for hack karate antics (maybe she’s a big Dolemite fan), but Kar? Kar!?!? She’s going to trade in a man with the flashiest title this side of “The Count of Monte Fisto” for a goofy looking bastard named Kar? What up with that? Kar doesn’t rule over an underground bad-boy empire with a dance club fashioned out of a single narrow subway car. And he doesn’t have an elevator with which he can make grand entrances and exits. He’s just a petty thief who lives in the projection booth of a grindhouse theater. Those kinds of guys grow on trees.

This film was obviously doomed to failure when writers Ethan Reiff and Cyris Voris didn’t slam on the breaks at the moment of Mr. Funktastic’s glorious creation, and jettison the whole BULLETPROOF MONK silliness. So, let’s assess the damage. The story concerns Chow Yun-Fat as a nameless Tibetan monk – we know damn well why he’s nameless, boys; you’ve done blown your load! – coming to the end of a sixty year search for the chosen one to whom he must pass his bullet dodging powers. This is complicated, as these things usually are, by Nazis. Sixty years prior, at the moment of his bestowal with bulletproof goodness, the Monk With No Name saw his entire temple wiped out by the brutish Strucker (Karel Roden), who sought to claim the supermonk powers for his blonde Aryan self (with which, I presume, he would rule the world and paw at Karen Allen). Unsuccessful the first time out, Strucker has managed to stick around for another six decades, tracking the Monk With No Name to Canada, where he’s about to screw up and pass his powers on to Kar and not Mr. Funktastic. Meanwhile, Jade continues to jeopardize her life by not eating.

It’s dispiriting to see Chow Yun-Fat being forced into martial arts roles when his strengths as a leading man lie elsewhere (i.e. running through rounds of ammunition like Shawn Kemp through pampers), but seeing as how his only legitimate stateside success is CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, this appears to be his fate for now. Fortunately, no one is likely to remember BULLETPROOF MONK a year from now, save for as an example of wasted potential.

Get those Mr. Funktastic websites up and running, kids. The revolution’s coming.

Faithfully submitted,

Mr. Beaks

[blankpage]

"Bulletproof Monk" looks like another :rolleyes:. I can see why people might think it is some good fun. But to me, it doesn't look great at all. I will skip this for sure.

[sleekproductions]

I'll see it, if only for Chow Yun Fat.

[TheMovieMinor]

This movie is gonna suck, but of course Im a huge fan of Sean William Scott and his great comedy, and seeing him doing martial arts in here is gonna be awesome. Chow-Yawn FAT seems to do horrible job in acting in the trailers, so I will expect trash from him. I have hopes that it will at least reach a 4/10 stars on my range, if it gets higher, I will be a fucking idiot and buy the dvd. Otherwise i see a Ballistic ecks vs. sever on this, with a bit of comedy and "the hot chick" Jaime King.

[RickySlade]

Whats with MGM and putting out shitty movies? They can hardly get a hit anymore. This movie looks bad, real bad. Anyone who thinks STIFLER can be an action star is crazy.

[Kim_EZ]

Well, it's based on a comic... So I dun expect anything really.

[Strider]

"Bulletproof Monk" does not look like a good movie at all, it looks quite stupid. I might check it out on DVD, but definitely not in the theaters....

Strider

[Horror whore]

As some of you may know, I have a slight obsession with Seann William Scott. That being said, not even he can make this movie look good. The trailers and TV spots do nothing for me, and I hate James King. I think I'll just wait for American Wedding to see Seann William Scott.

[movies35]

I really don't want to see this. It looks dumb and boring. But my little brother wants to see it. At least there is the Jeppers Creepers 2 trailer in front of it.:D

[Ed]

even though i'm extremely tired of the bullet sequence, i'm cheking out this movie, it looks like great fun.

[thirdeye]

It has Chow Yun-Fat with two guns so i'll see it anyway

[BorderEevilIII]

I still got love for Chow Yun Fat so Im still goin. And its nice to see Sean William Scott play something different from what he notorious of doin.

[Scarface98.9]

Looks like another "Oh please" type of movie. I"ll be avoiding this as usual

[Freeway]

Dumb title and an unoriginal premise make me not want to see it. The promise of a Jeepers Creepers 2 trailer does.

[sharkstank]

this has wait for DVD all over it

[Horror whore]

I might actually end up seeing this in theaters for the rumored Jeepers Creepers 2 preview in front of it...

[darkface]

GREAT job DH on making that first post. I always love entering your current movie threads cause they always have good info, fun pictures etc. *tips hat

but i most likely won't be seeing this movie. Just another movie with a simple duo with two different types of people, and some matrix spin-off FX to bring in some money.

[darkface]

I just watched the latest tv spot for this, and MY GOD!!! ... it was horrible lol. They played that epic chorus song in the last half- and they had a voice over giving reviews. OMG, a total mis-use of that great trailer song.

[dh1989]

Originally posted by darkface
GREAT job DH on making that first post.

Thanks darkface! :)

[vastlynne]

Are you kidding me? This has Battlefield Earth written all over it. The overused bullet-time effect to the annoying Seann William Scott does not equal a fun movie going experience. It's not even worth a look. I see that some people are prostituting their checks again. <sigh>

[XCoRyX]

im definetly looking forward to seeing this,im a sucker for action flicks,and love a good old trip to the movies.i also have a huge crush on jamie king,and she looks awesome in this both looks and acting,and she looks good with her moves too.I like Fat to an extent,havent seen so much of him.And im skeptical with Scott but willing to give him a chance,and add in the fact the Jeepers Creepers 2 trailer is attatched,im there.

[sleekproductions]

Just like the characters in this movie keep saying about kar (Seann Willima Scott), Bulletproof Monk had potential. Chow Yun Fat, to say the least, is truly awesome. He is without a doubt one of the best action stars of all time, and whether he is speaking english, or any other language (Cantoneese, etc.) he provides charisma, grace, and great action moves. He is without a doubt the best part of this movie. Then there is Seann William Scott. I like him. I really do. He is often very, very funny, and while he isn't the best actor... at all, he can be servicable in his parts. He was somewhat fun to watch here, although he isn't given much to work with. Everything else about this film, minus the two stars, and the occasional action scene, (especially the one with Chow and the two guns, which was great, and showed what this movie COULD have been) was stupid, clichéd, clichéd, and essentially tedious to watch. There is the typical bad guy, who is annoying, and doesn't propose any threat at all, and dies, and then "comes back" and then finally dies...again. There is the henchman, who is the real threat, and is an evil bitch, and yada yada yada. All of this chit chat is just putting me to sleep. There is the "grand finale" which in this case isn't that grand at all. And then there are the details. There are so many details in the film, that are completely stupid, or unexplained that I couldn't even focus on the stupid action. This is the mark of a poorly made film.
If someone was to ask me how to explain this film, I would say that it is the Cliff Notes for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (A Beautiful Masterpiece, mind you) as written by a 12 year old retard. 'Nuff Said? I Think So.

3/10

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0245803/M-148.jpg

[dh1989]

Originally posted by sleekproductions
I'll give it a D.

That's great news.

[Puck Bond]

Bulletproof Monk although has a pretty silly title, still looks like a fun, entertaining action comedy. Chow Yun-Fat is always good for some solid action thrills and Sean William Scott should be fun as well. Not very high expectations but some overall good fun. I plan on seeing it early next week.

[dh1989]

I am seeing this tommorow night, and I can't wait! The TV spots are even funnier than the full trailer, and the more and more I see of this, the better and funner it looks. ;)

[TheJadedGamer]

I don't care if it sucks or not, I'll probably still see this movie. I enjoyed the comic book dearly, so the movie might be up my alley. And it couldn't be worst that Malibu's Most Wanted, guys and gals.

[Jim H]

but of course Im a huge fan of Sean William Scott and his great comedy, and seeing him doing martial arts in here is gonna be awesome. Chow-Yawn FAT seems to do horrible job in acting in the trailers, so I will expect trash from him.

FAT? He hasn't been fat since CT,HD :D

I remember when I first saw the pics of him after he'd lost the weight it was crazy. He's lucky though, almost no one recognizes him in America. He walks around without bodyguards. In Hong Kong, people leave the celebrities alone. Must be nice.

I hear a lot of people bashing Chow Yun-Fat, but thus far, not one person who does has seen his best movies - the ones he made back in Hong Kong.



I'll be seeing this one for CYF and maybe a few good action sequences. CYF can sometimes elevate a film above what it deserves (the Corruptor for instance), but I'm not expecting much from this. I find it very funny that CYF is now typecast as a martial arts star - see his earlier action films where he has to do hand-to-hand and he usually comes across as a total oaf. Not all Chinese people can do Kung Fu. :D

[Ed]

well it's not getting all the bad reviews some of you where expecting. i'll definitely see it now.

[MadsenOMC]

Really? I have yet to read a review that wasn't bad.

[TheMovieMinor]

Finally saw this movie Wednesday with one of my buddies. To start it off, I was expecting to give it a 4/10 or lower. That changed completly.

The film had a decent plot, I was sad at points. The comedy was great. I laughed more in this then I did in Anger Management and Bring down the trash put together. Action was awesome. Lots of Indiana Jones relations in here. Add that w/ Crouching Tiger, and you got Bulletproof Monk. I definatly recommend it to everyone. Acting could have been better, but thats fine, it was very enjoyable.

8/10

[Freeway]

I'm going to try and see this tomorrow along with House of 1000 Corpses which comes to my local theater tomorrow and possibly Holes because I have heard some good things about that one. I could also see Malibu's Most Wanted if I have time sometime this weekend because I usually try and give every film a chance that looks even remotely interesting to me. Chasing Papi isn't playing anywhere near me so I won't be seeing that film.

[Freeway]

Here's an extremely negative review of Monk from Dustin Putnam at www.themovieboy.com

In the most unlikely team-up since, well, Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson in last week's "Anger Management," martial-arts star Chow Yun-Fat (1999's "The Corruptor") and goofball "American Pie" alum Seann William Scott join ranks for the highly unfortunate and cheesy "Bulletproof Monk." Once you view the trailer and realize what the title entails, you will have basically seen all that the film has to offer.

The movie opens in Tibet, circa 1943, as the Master Monk (Roger Yuan) passes down his power of immortality to the inconsequentially-named Monk With No Name (Chow Yun-Fat). With a sudden indestructibility and youthfulness that will last him 60 years, before he must pass it on to someone else, Monk With No Name must make it his life's work to keep the "Scroll of the Ultimate"—its contents of which, if read aloud, will give the speaker world domination—out of the wrong hands. His biggest adversary is Strucker (Karel Roden), a former Third Reich officer who will stop at nothing to get the scroll and achieve this gift.

Fast-forward to the present day, a very old Strucker is still after the scroll, sending out his henchmen and granddaughter, Nina (Victoria Smurfit), to do his bidding. As they continue to close in on him, Monk With No Name has a chance encounter with Kar (Seann William Scott), a pickpocket with a good heart whom he suspects may have what it takes to be his successor. As he and Kar strike up a friendship, Kar finds himself gradually clued in to what is going on. Together, and later with the help of angelic tough-girl Jade (Jaime King), they set out to keep Strucker away from the scroll.

The premise is utterly preposterous, and not in a "check-your-brain-at-the-door-and-just-have-fun" kind of way, either. Since there is nonexistent entertainment value (or any other kind of value) to be had, one is forced into an excruciating 104-minute wandering train of thought about the particulars of the story. Since the scroll can only be bad news if Strucker obtains it, why don't they (1) destroy it, or (2) read it aloud themselves and create a self-described "Paradise" rather than a "Hell on Earth?" This volcanic-sized plot hole is not merely a source of bad writing on screenwriters Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris' part, but holds the viewers' intelligence in contempt. Rarely before has a motion picture contained a conflict that could have so easily been solved in the first five minutes.

Were the rest of "Bulletproof Monk" either amusing, exciting, or even unintentionally bad, one might have been able to overlook its severely flawed narrative. No such luck. The action sequences, which glaringly steal from 2000's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and 1999's "The Matrix" to the point of plagiarism, are so artificial and chintzy that they quickly lose whatever interest they might have held. In today's times of advanced visual effects, there is no reason why a studio picture should look so cheap and contain such poor visuals. The production design by Deborah Evans (2000's "Remember the Titans") and cinematography by Stefan Czapsky (1999's "Wild Wild West") are just as disconcerting, with every shot appearing as if it was filmed either in front of a matte screen, with failing lighting equipment, or in someone's basement.

Chow Yun-Fat may be a better actor in his native Hong Kong, but in every one of his American efforts, he has failed to impress. As hard as he tries to be charismatic--and there are moments here where he does—he fails at achieving any sort of solid screen presence. I'd take Jet Li or Jackie Chan any day of the week over him. As Kar, Seann William Scott continues to coast on his Stifler persona, and the sarcastic-but-good-guy routine is starting to wear out its welcome. Meanwhile, Jaime King (2001's "Slackers") has traded in her more unconventional and powerful first name of James for one that somehow reminds of trailer trash. As Jade, King plays the part of a potted plant with conviction.

"Bulletproof Monk" has a single scene—a rooftop battle set on a seesawing sign threatening to topple over the edge at any minute—that is admittedly well-done. What surrounds this set-piece is strictly vacuous and insulting. Paul Hunter, making his directorial debut, clearly has no idea how to wrench anything of charm or worth out of his characters, nor does he know how to convincingly shoot fights or chases. In an action film like "Bulletproof Monk," this failing might as well be a cinematic kiss of death.

half a star out of 4.

©2003 by Dustin Putman

[Sigur509]

Originally posted by Tom Samborski
Doesn't look that special to me. I'll rent it on video rather than seeing it in theaters. And I also noticed that bullet-time is being used in this movie, ugh.

I know, when I first saw the trailer, the first thing that poped into my head was The Matrix. Why cant people just leave The Matrix alone?

[movies35]

I walking in this movie and not expecting a thing. And I loved it. Oh and the JC2 trailer was awesome.

MOVIE- 7/10
JC2 Trailer- 8/10

I would recommend this movie for any action fan, and people who liked Shanghi Noon. But it is really diffrent from SN.

[movies35]

Here is a very negative review from screenit.com

OUR TAKE: 3.5 out of 10
With each passing year, hundreds of new movies hit the theaters and just as many or more titles go straight to video. With such a yearly onslaught, moviegoers and particularly critics have to accept that the chances of any given release being unique or completely different continually decrease to the point that it's almost not worth hoping, wishing or praying that a film will exhibit such qualities.
Accordingly, one must also accept that more and more releases are increasingly going to look more and more like previous films or at least emulate, borrow or steal bits and pieces from them. As much as I hate to admit it, that's okay as long as the new effort puts enough of a fresh spin on said material to make it appear or at least feel somewhat fresh. Such was the case with 2002's "The Transporter" that didn't have an original bone its body, yet managed to make its recycled material fun and engaging.

An example where it doesn't work is this year's "Bulletproof Monk." Part "Rush Hour, " part "Raiders of the Lost Ark/Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, " with bits of "The Matrix," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "The Karate Kid" and even James Bond thrown in for "good" measure, the film features the culture clash pairing of Hong Kong favorite Chow Yun-Fat with "American Pie's" own Seann William Scott.

Yet another comedy/action hybrid, the film is a mess from start to finish, and never quite veers far enough into complete camp (although it often comes close) to make it fun in such regards. It probably doesn't help that I'm not a big fan of the cinematic martial arts style where characters literally defy gravity and/or physics by jumping, leaping, spinning and doing other moves not even the great Jackie Chan can muster.

Unlike similar ones in "Crouching Tiger" that were done to appear graceful (but still turned me off), the ones here are done for comedy and/or straight action. They're far more successful in the former where Yun-Fat's character personifies the old saying that Weebles wobble, but don't fall down.

The action bits, however, are poorly done. As directed by first-time filmmaker Paul Hunter (from the world of music videos), they're a mess, with lots of quick editing to do a "Steven Seagal" in covering up whatever obvious shortcomings the performers had in "realistically" pulling off the stunts and fighting. Coupled with some bad and obviously faked visual effects, such scenes come off as laughable bad and certainly less than engaging.

The script by Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris ("Demon Knight," "Men of War"), which is based on a brief comic book series, doesn't help matters. The villains who are Nazis bit is too much cliché and not enough camp. The "Karate Kid"/ "Rush Hour" mix of Yun-Fat and Scott doesn't yield enough laughs - although there are a handful - and instead simply goes through the expected motions.

Yun-Fat ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Anna and the King") exudes his usual amount of onscreen charisma and confidence, and even gets in one, brief slow-motion spinning move while shooting guns that will remind fans of his far better films of yesteryear. He's best here in the lighter and more amusing moments, but the rest is too easily forgettable.

Scott ("Evolution," "Dude, Where's My Car?") picks up the contemporary American bit from where Owen Wilson and Chris Tucker left off in their films. While obviously bulked up for the role, he can't do much with the paint by number (or is that by screenwriting software) character.

Jaime King ("Slackers," "Pearl Harbor") appears as the obligatory kick-butt love interest (who just so happens to a be Russian mafia princess), Victoria Smurfit ("About a Boy," "The Beach") plays her steely, Aryan adversary, while Karel Roden ("Blade II," "15 Minutes") plays the boring and flat, but occasionally Bond-like villain (late in the film).

I'm not sure if the film would have really worked on anything but a pure camp or spoof level. Whatever the case, it clearly needed either that or some more finely tuned and crafted action and comedy to make its recycled material more palatable. Certainly not critic or even average viewer-proof, "Bulletproof Monk" rates as just a 3.5 out of 10.

[El Bracamonti]

this is the type of movie that makes you hate the film industry. it was absolutely terrible. 3/10

[movies35]

Originally posted by El Bracamonti
this is the type of movie that makes you hate the film industry. it was absolutely terrible. 3/10

WOW! I can't believe someone gave a lower grade then screenit.com

[movies35]

Here is a short premise

The Monk is a Zen-calm martial arts master whose duty has been to protect a powerful ancient scroll. Faced with finding the scroll's next guardian, the Monk's quest brings him to New York City where--to his disbelief--it appears his successor is a smart-mouthed pickpocket named Kar. Kar's a charming, street-tough wild card who enjoys his life of no responsibility. As the Monk instructs Kar, the unlikely duo become partners in protecting the scroll from a power-monger who's been chasing it for sixty years. Amidst high-flying acrobatics and martial arts action, this comical odd couple has to work together to keep the scroll--and mankind--safe.-

[dh1989]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0245803/M-61R.jpg

Bulletproof Monk is not a great movie. Don't go in expecting to see a film like The Shawshank Redemption or The Sixth Sense. Just expect some serious fun in the vain of Shanghai Noon or Raiders of the Lost Ark.......

Chow Yun-Fat is in top-form as the Monk with no name. Obviously his action sequences are going to be amazing, but he also manages to bring a charm to the role. His smirk is hilarious.

Seann Wiliam Scott is also great as Kar. Scott is always funny or hilarious, so that is no suprise that he's amusing here, but he also manages to be a servicable action star.

James "Jaime" King does what she can with her bad, bad role. Why must they waste her talent with all of the cornball lines?

The direction is stylish. Paul Hunter, a music video director, brings all of his experience to this film. The fight sequences are exciting and fast, and every sequence has this fun "comic book" quality to them.

Overall, I got what I expected from this film: a fun time. It is not an Oscar-worthy piece of filmmaking, but it'll put a big fat smile on your face!

7/10

[movies35]

oh on the 24 hour hotline they say

Bullerproof Monk staring Young Fat Chow, it was really funny.

[Jim H]

Did they pronounce Yun as Young? I guess they are pretty close.

The reason they do that, for those who don't know (IMDB does it also), is that Yun-Fat is his given name (first name in Western society) and Chow is his surname (last name in Western society). I think it's a ridiculous thing to do personally, almost insulting. But that's just my opinion.

Chow Yun-Fat has his friends call him Fatty though, which I think is pretty funny :D

[Spoiledrichkid]

If the trailers for this movie didnt look that special, thats because its not. Its not bad at all...but you could save yourself $6 by waiting till it comes on d-tv. It was an extremely average movie, similar to Jet LI in The One. [almost fell asleep in both]

[XCoRyX]

just got back from seeing this one,and no,you shouldnt go in expecting a top notch realistic movie,it isnt either of them,you can tell they used wires for all fight scenes....but the film is entertaining,fun and a way to waste some time away from boredom.and you just may also get to see the kickass jeepers creepers 2 trailer as a plus.seann william scott surprised me with how well he did with the role,even though it was just like his others with fighting.jamie king has a presence to me no matter what because of how cute she is,and chow was good as the lead,but annoyed me a few times.the villains are fine as well,so great? no,annoying?sometimes.realistic?hell no.predictable?yes...entertaining yes. 6.5/10

[Ed]

even though is set up already to be one of the worst reviewed movies of the year, with only 19% at rottentomatoes.com, I am still going to check out this flick. hopefully i'll like it since i see many of you (normal ppl not hipocritical like some) have liked it.

[movies35]

This is getting very mixed reviews.

[dh1989]

.

[dh1989]

The average schmoe grade for Bulletproof Monk is....

6/10!


Note: I guessed that sleekproduction's "D" is equal to a 3/10.

[DevilMonkey]

Originally posted by dh1989
The average schmoe grade for Bulletproof Monk is....

6/10!


Note: I guessed that sleekproduction's "D" is equal to a 3/10.

I thought a D would be a 6/10
(But I grade like a teacher)

[Jim H]

Depends on how you do it. Sometimes each leter is two marks (eg, B would be 8 and 7), but if you grade by teaching standards, then yeah, a D is a 6/10.

[dh1989]

Originally posted by DevilMonkey
I thought a D would be a 6/10
(But I grade like a teacher)

I know sleek does not grade on a school scale.

[Sinfolti]

I might see this just for the Sean William Scott factor. He funny
Also the chinese guy was good in Crouching Tiger. Other than that its no worse than all the other movie crap circulating out nowadays

[sleekproductions]

Good Job. A "D" IS like a 3/10. I do not grade on a school scale.

[anakinsrise]

My review of Bulletproof Monk


IN SHORT: Badly filmed and edited monk-fu movie with a cast that deserves better


THE GOOD:When i saw the trailer for this flic before watching Die Another Day i was so hyped to see it.Terrific action and humor what more could a guy want right???But what happened between then and now is beyond me.The chemistry between the principal characters,Chow-Yun FAT .... Monk With No Name ,Seann William Scott .... Kar ,Jamie King... Jade/Bad Girl is on point and terrific,and with great humor and a few good action sequences and thats all folks.


THE BAD: Damn MGM studios!!what did you do to this flic??Super extremely bad editing,weak script, i mean c'mon guys a 95 year old Nazi hunting a monk so he can gain eternal life?!? 75% of the action scenes are so friggin cheesy i rolled my eyes several times.Some interesting characters vanish and are never seen again.


All in all rent this one when it comes to video and dvd ,you will enjoy it better with a beer in the comfort of your own home and hey you cant beat a 2.00 to 4.00 rental.I hear the flic is based on a comic book ,wonder if its better than the movie?? Scale of 1-10 a 5

[bskutle]

"Bulletproof Monk"- B-
I wish I could say this was the English-language thriller Chow Yun-Fat ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") has been waiting for. Sadly, that's not gonna happen until John Woo- the director who made Chow legend in their Hong Kong collaborations- is at the helm. Still, "Monk's" a decent diversion until the studio's big guns come out starting next month. The action in this comic book-based thriller is decent enough for those seeking a good time at the movies; unfortunately, there's not enough of Chow's charisma from Woo's Hong Kong flicks and not enough of the sarcasm from co-star Seann William Scott's Stifler charisma from the "American Pie" films to make it anything above that. Still, it does manage some fun and surprises for action buffs to give it a chance.

[Jim H]

It's worth mentioning that John Woo is directing a film that's a colloboration between Nic Cage (his third with him) and Chow Yun-Fat (which is his sixth time directing him, and like seventh or eight if you count times he produced). No word what kind of movie it is yet.

Bout god damn time, if you ask me. At least CYF has had ONE (CT,HD) great movie since their last colloboration, but John Woo hasn't.

[XCoRyX]

Nicolas Cage and Chow Yun Fut in a movie together could turn out to be very cool....i'll be on the hear out for that one.

Boxofficemojo estimates this movie only cashed in about $8.4 Million...not too great,not bad either but i was expecting a bit higher,maybe $11/12 Million....espicially since it was out wednesday and thursday as well.malibus most wanted and holes are ahead of it!

[MadsenOMC]

The opening could hardly have been worse, especially since MGM has had an awful run lately. With a budget of over $50 million and at least another $20 million to market, this can be considered nothing but a disaster.

[Jim H]

Maybe CYF will re-earn his nickname of Box Office Poison. :p

[XCoRyX]

That was his nickname before?....the budget for this was over $50 million?

[Jim H]

Box office poison was back before A Better Tomorrow became the #1 all-time movie in Hong Kong (since been suplanted, by a couple other Chow Yun-Fat movies, Titanic, and one or two other things I forget).

Pretty much all his movies before that, as he was trying to make the transition from Hong Kong period soap opera to movie star, failed miserably. Some of them are well worth watching, such as Hong Kong 1941, The Postman Strikes Back (eerily similar, but not as sucky, to Kevin Costner's the Postman), and Story of a Wu Viet.

[Ron34]

This movie was soo horrible!! The only thing that was good about it was that it was a bit funny. But everything else sucked!