Film Review: Bulletproof Monk (2003)

12 months ago (Edited)

(source: tmdb.org)

At the start of the 21st 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, a 2003 fantasy action comedy that borrows some of Hong Kong cinema’s iconography and talent.

The plot begins in 1943, during the Second World War. Nazi Germany has sent a team of elite soldiers led by Colonel Strucker (played by Karel Roden) to Tibet to obtain an ancient scroll that would give its owner absolute power. Their expedition is thwarted by an unnamed Buddhist monk (played by Chow Yun-fat), who has been selected to guard the scroll from falling into the wrong hands before the 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 crosses paths with young pickpocket Kar (played by Seann William Scott). It turns out that Kar has spent years watching kung fu films and has learned all the right martial arts, making him a possible candidate. Before Kar is confirmed as the next guardian of the scroll, he must defend the artefact from goons in the service of Strucker’s granddaughter, Nina (played by Victoria Smurfit). The monk and Kar receive assistance from Jade (played by Jaime King), a roguish, street-smart woman to whom Kar becomes romantically attracted.

Bulletproof Monk was originally based on a comic book, but the scriptwriting duo of Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (mainly responsible for some unremarkable low-budget films in the 1990s and who would later be commended for the 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 the 20th century. Paul Hunter, known mostly for his long and successful career in music videos, doesn’t leave a particularly good impression in what is his only feature film. Special effects in a couple of scenes aren’t that convincing, and the martial arts action reveals 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 the film not only watchable but actually allows viewers to ignore plot holes and some bland dialogue. Shot on location in Toronto that passes for New York City, Bulletproof Monk benefits from an energetic tempo and a couple of entertaining action scenes. Although not particularly memorable and despite its failure at the box office not being surprising, this film could be recommended to viewers who don’t take their entertainment too seriously.

RATING: 5/10 (++)