Film Review: Bulletproof Monk (2003)

4 months ago

(source: tmdb.org)

At the start of 21şt Century Hollywood was looking at Hong Kong cinema as a source of inspiration, but it never actually took its films seriously. At least this is the impression you might get after watching Bulletproof Monk, 2003 fantasy action comedy which borrows some of Hong Kong cinema’s iconography and talent.

The plot begins in 1943, during Second World War. Nazi Germany has sent the team of elite soldiers led by Colonel Strucker (played by Karel Roden) to Tibet to obtain ancient scroll that would give its owner absolute power. Their expedition is thwarted by unnamed Buddhist monk (played by Chow Yun-fat), who has been selected to guard the scroll from falling into the wrong hands before world becomes enlightened. Sixty years later the monk, who has never aged, is on the search for his successor and comes to New York City where he would cross paths with young pickpocket Kar (played by Seann William Scott). It turns out that Kar has spent years watching kung fu films and learned all the right martial arts, making him a possible candidate. Before Kar gets confirmed as the next guardian of the scroll, he would have to defend the artefact from goons in service of Strucker’s granddaughter Nina (played by Victoria Smurfit). Monk and Kar will receive assistance from Jade (played by Jaime King), roguish street smart woman to whom Kar becomes romantically attracted.

Bulletproof Monk was originally based on comic book, but the scriptwriting duo of Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (mainly responsible for some unremarkable low budget films in 1990s and who would later be commended for Sleeper Cell television series) apparently takes more inspiration from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hong Kong martial arts films and “buddy buddy” action comedies typical of Hollywood at the end of 20th Century. Paul Hunter, known mostly for his long and successful career in music videos, doesn’t leave particularly good impression in what is his only feature film. Special effects in couple of scenes aren’t that convincing and martial arts action gives away the use of wirework. Casting also leaves something to be desired. Seann William Scott lacks a bit of “buddy buddy” chemistry with Chow Yun-fat whose regal presence, on the other hand, makes film not only watchable but actually makes viewers ignore plot holes and some bland dialogue. Shot on locations in Toronto that pass for New York City, Bulletproof Monk however benefits from energetic tempo and couple of entertaining action scenes. Although not particularly memorable and although its failure at box office isn’t that surprising, this film could be recommended to viewers who don’t take their entertainment too seriously.

RATING: 5/10 (++)