Bulletproof Monk Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Sean William Scott Directed by Paul Hunter Rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sexual content 1/4 out of Stars, Movie Grade: D+

Theatrical Release: April 16, 2003
Running time: 104 minutes

by Kevin Lang

Upon entering the theater, I wasn't expecting much from the martial arts action film "Bulletproof Monk." I had figured on seeing poorly executed, wannabe "Matrix" like action sequences with a plot that wouldn't be able to adequately justify such gravity defying fights. And this was exactly what I saw unfold onscreen before me, not to mention that this was in addition to a poorly executed story with ridiculous villains and lines that could have been borrowed from the corniest eighties movies.

The "Monk With No Name" played by Chow Yun-Fat attempted to explain why he can defy gravity by saying that if you believe that the laws of gravity don't exist, then they don't. Just like if you try to believe that "Bulletproof Monk" is actually a good movie, then it will be. Sorry, Chow Yun-Fat, I'm afraid it didn't work.

In the film, the "Monk With No Name" was given eternal youth in exchange for being obliged to protect an ancient monk scroll. When read, the scroll would give the reader the power to destroy the world. After sixty years went by, it was time for the protector of the scroll to pass his duty on to someone else who he trusted could handle the responsibility.

This person happened to be Kar (Sean William Scott), who ran a small two-house movie theater and had learned martial arts from practicing while watching the kung-fu films that he shows at the theater. There was even a ridiculous training montage with Kar practicing in front of the screen.

Things got even cornier when it came to the film's villains. The first villain was a character named Mr. Funktastic, which sounds like something from a cheesy black-exploitation film rip-off. Funktastic's lair was in some type of underground subway/sewer system. During this scene, I was waiting for Splinter and the Mutant Ninja Turtles to jump out, which actually might have made the film more entertaining.

In the end, I think my friend summed up this movie best when he said that with "Bulletproof Monk" Chow Yun-Fat made a mockery of the action sequences from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Crouching Tiger had Chow's character walking up bamboo tree branches, which somehow looked far more believable than the corny looking action-on-wires that we saw here.

"Bulletproof Monk" Review written April 15, 2003, CTF.

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