Bulletproof Monk (2003)
Bulletproof Monk is an action movie vehicle for action legend Chow Yun-Fat and rising star Sean William Scott.
We've all seen action vehicles to build future stars in the past.
Die Hard launched the prestigious career of Bruce Willis.
Sylvester Stallone wrote himself a movie and strong armed a studio to have in lead in 1977s boxing classic, Rocky. Giving Stallone a long running franchise to lean on to rejuvenate his career every decade.
And in 2011 one producer bet the stars and the moon on Abduction, launching Taylor Lautner’s careers into the stratosphere and nobody's been able to touch him since.
Plot
For 60 years a mysterious monk with no name has zigzagged the globe to protect an ancient scroll - a scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now the Monk must look for a new scrollkeeper. Kar is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he inadvertently saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer.
That's about as bare bones as it gets, thank you IMDB.
Oh BTW the people they save the world from, are the guys always looking for that ultimate power- Nazis.
Cast
Chow Yun-Fat was the #3 alternative to play out titular character behind Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Although it can be said that Chow Yun-Fat could have been the #1 option because he was at the top of his powers as he released Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon a few years prior. It was nominated for countless awards, flooding his inbox with film offers.
Sean William Scott was looking to shed is Stiffler persona in American Pie. This makes me wonder if there were any other options for him. Could he fill the shoes of a young John Conner in Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines? Or could he put on the cowl of the blind Daredevil? The possibilities are f*#king endless.
Jamie King was severely miscast. She broke her finger during filming, but not in any of the stunts - just while walking up the stairs talking on the phone. Clumsy off camera and on camera. Her fighting scenes are poorly stitched together with several quick cuts.
Action
The action was as mediocre as ever. Filmed in Canada on a budget of $50 million. For the most part the film is competent in the action scenes. The bad news is there's nothing memorable, aside from the awkward floating guns moment in the trailer. Very awkward, very weird. Yet charming.
One of the early action scenes takes place in a closed subway station where Sean William Scott fights off a gang of thugs. Where the leader is this British goof.
Here we are introduced to Jamie King, whose clumsy fight matches her ADR dialogue. Was she really the best choice?
The final fight scene against middle aged man in old man makeup dragged forever and was forgettable.
IMDb reviews are BACK
grey-boy says, “I love action movies. I love action movies with lots of martial-arts, special effects, and explosions - especially when they have cheesy dialouge that lets you sit back and enjoy the ride (anything with The Rock or Vin Diesel, for instance). But somehow, this movie just wasn't enjoyable. Sean Patrick Harris didn't add much comic relief (as I expected based on his other roles), and the storyline/characters were just way too cliché. The kung-fu-by-wire shots looked tired and derivative. And I just didn't buy Jamie King and her troop of misfits (who hang out in their "secret" subway hideout! Zoinks!)
I'd go ahead and skip this one. But if you do see it, be sure to watch the alternate ending to see how awful this movie could have really been.”
UniqueParticle says, “Sure it's cheesy but it's got really cool stylish action and Shaun William Scott that is glorious especially in early 2000's. The music is really touching, quite ambient. I'm sure not many appreciate Bulletproof Monk well I'm glad it exists, it's a nice mix of Kong fu genre with new generation action fun! Karen Roden is great in any film I see him in; been years since I've seen this movie I forgot he was the villain.”
Leofwine_draca says, “For a clichéd piece of fluff, because that's clearly what BULLETPROOF MONK is, it's a far better film than you might imagine. Much of that likability rests on whether you like or loathe Seann William Scott…..The action isn't great, but it has a nicely violent edge for what is essentially a kid's film. I didn't care for the wirework, but the straightforward fighting scenes are good. They rip off Jackie Chan films pretty heavily for the style, choreography and reliance on props, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Special effects are decent and the film has a good pace. While the dialogue isn't entirely credible and some of the minor characters/situations completely laughable, and not in a good way….”
Superman74 says, “Save your money on this one. This movie is almost unwatchable. Best part is the car ride home. Avoid it like SARS. Seriously. Horrible dialogue, bad action, ridiculous cut-away fight scenes. More like Jackie Mason then Jackie Chan.”
Superman74 you friend are wrong, Bulletproof Monk is not unwatchable and we know the best part was the Nazis. I can watch this movie again…in 5 years.
Bulletproof Monk gets 2 peaceful monks out of 5