Bulletproof Monk

December 9, 2004

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 103 min Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Bulletproof Monk pairs the unlikely combination of Chow Yun-Fat and Seann William Scott. Chow Yun-Fat is a Hong Kong action star perhaps best known here for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Replacement Killers. Meanwhile Seann William Scott is best known for playing goof balls in teen comedies. The Stiffmeister from American Pie does a martial arts film, who woulda thunk it?

Bulletproof Monk

The story revolves around the protector of the Scroll of the Ultimate. This scroll is so powerful that whoever reads the words allowed shall rule the world. The monks do not think any human is yet ready for such power, so it is guarded by a protector. The protector serves for 60 years during which time he is protected by the scroll and does not age. At the end of the term, he transfers his power to a new young protector.

Ok, so as you might’ve guessed, Chow Yun-Fat is such a protector and when it is time for him to find his replacment the prophecies lead him to believe the next chosen one is a slacker and street criminal played by Scott. Meanwhile, Nazis have been chasing this scroll ever since World War II. And from there fun and hijinks commence!

This type of movie will sink or swim based on how entertaining the action is. In this case, there’s a lot of wire work. We’d rather see more realistic action, but we’ll suspend our belief of the laws of physics if it fits the story. Our nameless monk here says if you can ignore the laws of gravity if you truly believe you can walk on air. Yeah, ok, whatever. Chow Yun-Fat is smooth as always, Scott does ok for someone who isn’t an action star. Although that patented smirk and wise ass manner that works so well for his comedic roles at times make it very tough to take him seriously here.

Bulletproof Monk is entertaining, but it’ll really test your ability to suspend your disbelief. Logic is right out the window as several points, and the whole premise is a bit of a stretch. I mean if you were in charge of protecting the fate of the world, would you recruit the Stiffmeister as your replacement? But overall it wasn’t a bad way to spend a couple of hours, we give it 3 stars.

Posted by Billy Bob | Filed Under 3 Stars, Action, Chow Yun-Fat, Jaime King, Karel Roden, PG-13, Seann William Scott, Theatrical, Victoria Smurfit