bowmanblue There's absolutely nothing special about the (not so subtly-titled) 'Bulletproof Monk.' In fact, the title should tell you everything you need to know about the film. However, just because it's nothing out of the ordinary, doesn't make it a bad film. In fact... it's rather good fun (if you're not expecting too much).Sean William Scott - better known as 'Who?' unless you're watching an 'American Pie' movie, where he is - of course - 'Stiffler.' He is playing, er, 'Stiffler' basically, only he's really good at martial arts and pickpocketing people. He ends up getting caught up in a plot by Nazis seeking immortality and has to help the titular 'Bulletproof Monk' (Chow Yun Fat) save the world from these out of time creeps.This film was made back in 2003 and I'd love to say that, because of the time it was made, there was less CGI and more 'practical' effects. Yes, there are some practical effects (or should I say well-choreographed fight scenes), however a lot of the more 'fantastical' martial arts moves are all - very blatantly - filmed up against a blue screen. You may just have to forgive them for that.So, you have plucky, wise-cracking hero, wise mentor, evil baddies and obligatory love interest (Jamie King). So, like I say, nothing you haven't seen a hundred times before. It's so run-of-the-mill that there's not an awful lot else I can say about it. However, just because it doesn't set the film-world alight in terms of originality, doesn't mean that it isn't enormous fun. But, if you like your modern martial arts films, or just need a relaxing little action flick to rest your brain to after a hard day's work, then this should fit the bill.

Dave Thompson I must, first of all, point out that this movie is very good fun and must not, in any way be taken at all seriously. I loved the concept of the story but felt that things were very much spoilt by the overblown, overcontrived action scenes. This was the case from the very first minute. As for the acting......well this turned out to be very much a case of goodies v baddies. Seann William Scott, Chow Yun-Fat and Jaime King (the good guys) all turn in sterling performances. In fact, it looks as if Seann William Scott & Chow Yun-Fat had immense fun making this film and their chemistry is there to see. As for the bad guys.......Karel Rodin, Victoria Smurfit and Marcus Jean Pirae. Well, what can I say? I felt that they were all terrible and all over the top. I was particularly disappointed with Victoria Smurfit, who I had seen many times before and knew her to be a very talented actress. I think that the problem with her character was basically because she had a very over emphasised British accent. Smurfit is Irish, so why the hell didn't they just maintain her natural accent. Worse though, was Marcus Jean Pirae as the underground gang boss. He has no excuse though. His too was an over emphasised British accent.......but actually IS English I believe. As I say, the film was great fun and it was made watchable by the fact that the good (acting) outweighed the bad (acting). It was, by no means, a complete turn off.

eric262003 As a veteran movie-goer, I have seen movie that are suitable for a diverse group of audiences, many of which aim towards the general public only to seek approval to a specific group. "Bulletproof Monk" fits in that category with perfection. When first being watched, you get the impression that this movie will attract the young audience (16 and under)with its quick-paced martial arts action, fight scenes that pays homage to "The Matrix" series, a hot chick a la James Bond, and a subplot with evil Nazis and a quest to find a lost artifact like you'd see in an Indiana Jones movie.Even though the Indiana Jones can attract the younger viewers in spite of the graphic nature in its content, "Bulletproof Monk" is strictly designed for the younger group. By saying that as long as your kid or kids are enjoying your themselves, every parent might be happy, however, the parents themselves might not be that into it. The story is way too simple for the adults to enjoy. It's a standard fare story of a lost ancient artifact that the heroes must retrieve before it falls in the wrong hands. Pretty ho-hum, eh? Sure all the Indy instalments and National Treasure stories fall into the same plot, but in "Bulletproof Monk", is that in the Indiana Jones and National Treasure stories, the loot is more interesting and has a certain level of appeal and sparks the curious minds of our viewers as to what the fuss is behind the loot and what it provides. Just going through all the fuss to search for a scroll is utterly pointless and doesn't have that magnetic appeal as the Holy Grail or the Crystal Skull. Chow Yun-Fat as the Monk has his job cut out for him as the guardian of this sacred scroll. And keeping it from caricatured bad guys who'd love to rub their greedy little hands on that piece of paper. But his job isn't all that trite. He is immune to bullets (hence the title) and can never get old as the scroll's keeper. Now he's searching for a trustworthy person to protect the scroll. A pickpocket named Kar (Sean William Scott) a modernized urban version of Robin Hood is the Monk's choice as his successor, while prevent an evil Nazi (Karel Roden) from getting it. The sad thing about "Bulletproof Monk" is in the hands of director Paul Hunter. Hunter's direction is choppy as random things happen too soon or just thrown in there making every scene look pedestrian. The cuts are quite obvious, the edits spell out the letters M-T-V but most of all, the martial arts scenes were sloppy and the editing was awkward. Sean William Scott was badly miscast as Kar. His talents from his other outings aren't there and that Chow Yun-Fat seems more like the comic foil than Scott, which would've been more effective if reversed. Jamie King's purpose to the film is confusing. Is she there as the token female character to seek the female audience with inspiration or to give the the male audience somebody to drool over? In all respects her martial arts is a welcomed addition to the movie, so my guess to inspire the female audience.But Chow is still the best character of the bunch. He's witty, appealing and has a great sense of humour that's quite a shocker to me. It's quite amazing Chow seems to play lighter roles on North American soil in contrast to the bloodfests he's famous for in Hong Kong. Why would this movie attract youth over adult you ask yourselves? Well, all the action, and fights are so light in content has been patted down to a more family-friendly audience. There's no bloody macabre violence, very little weaponry, Jamie King keeps her close on (sorry guys) and the special effects are minimal at best.

ctomvelu-1 With an opening that clearly influenced BATMAN BEGINS, BULLETPROOF MONK is about a Tibetan monk (Fat) entrusted with a precious scroll. He "enlists" the aid of a street punk (Williams) to keep the scroll out of the hands of a Nazi (Roden), who is right out of an Indiana Jones movie. Lots of fighting and gags, and Fat and Williams work well together. The contents of the scroll, which bounces back and forth between the good guys and bad guys, provides something of a surprise near the end. Roden makes the perfect villain, and the climactic fight between Roden and Williams is eye-popping. Wire fu abounds, but this is a fantasy flick, after all, and not to be taken seriously. The very attractive Jamie King plays the mandatory love interest.