BULLETPROOF MONK
A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Release

review by Joseph B. Mauceri

SYNOPSIS: For 60 years, a mysterious monk with no name has travelled the globe to protect an ancient scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. The time approaches when the Monk must pass on his burden, as foretold by the prophecies, and find a new scrollkeeper. Kar is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he inadvertently saves the Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer. The Monk, Kar, and a sexy Russian mob princess called Bad Girl, come together to do battle with the Monk's ultimate enemy who'll stop at nothing to get the scroll.

REVIEW: When I was a kid, five-bucks let you live like a king at a Saturday Matinee. Summers, my Dad and I spent Friday or Saturday night at the Drive-In with a massive bucket of greasy popcorn and an equally massive container of soda. We usually picked films that might offend the tender sensibilities of my mother or younger sister. These legendary cinematic outings would consist of Hong Kong martial arts marathons, the "Planet of the Ape" films, as well as all five of them in a marathon heralded as "Go Ape For a Night." The smorgasbord of "B" film delights frequently featured Vincent Price from the Roger Corman films to "Dr. Goldfoot and the Sex Bombs."

Why mention this? Because these are the fond memories of my cinematic youth, the days when villains had lairs and heroes accomplished gravity defying feats with mind boggling martial arts skill. This is what Woo, Yun-Fat, Hunter, Reiff, and Voris, guys who know how to have a good time at the movies, have distilled and captured in BULLETPROOF MONK. East meets West as comic book culture takes on martial arts mayhem and explodes onto the screen in an fun-filled ride.

When I interviewed Robert Rodriguez a few years back, he said that he was making "Spy Kids" so that his children could finally watch one of his films. Screenwriters Reiff and Voris seem to give director John Woo a similar opportunity as they weave a story that a much younger audience, than Woo usually creates for, can enjoy. The screenwriters use the Image Comics material to create something almost like an origin story for the character. Until this film, the Bulletproof Monk was mostly utilized in the comic title as a urban myth, acting unseen in the background of the tales. The writers come up with a great setup, fun characters and a classic villain. What could be more classic than an old Nazi general in an underground lair, with a sinister machine, looking for the ultimate weapon?

Chow Yun-Fat, the astonishing star of "The Killer" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," is delightful as the Monk. There's a great chemistry between him and his co-star, Sean William Scott, that at times is humorous enough to give it a charming Hope-Crosby feel. Scott, of "American Pie" and "Dude, Where's My Car?," is impressive in this slightly more serious and physically demanding role. Either his martial arts skill is that good, or a great fight choreographer can make anyone look good.

While it's frankly the most fun you'll have at the movies until the summer movie season starts, the film has a couple of distracting elements. First, it's obvious that it wasn't filmed in the United States, although that's where it's supposed to take place. I believe at one point they mention San Francisco. Secondly, I think the director was trying to give the film this late 70's, early 80's look. A nice idea, but many of the outdoor sequences look overexposed, and the night ones a tad too blue.

But you know what? BULLETPROOF MONK could be subtitled "The Fists & The Fun." Chow Yun-Fat has all the right stuff -- the moves of Bruce Lee, the swagger of Clint Eastwood, and the attitude of Vin Diesel. It's just a shame that there aren't any Drive-Ins left, the perfect setting for fathers and sons to enjoy this film.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
http://www.bulletproofmonk.com/
 
 

BACK