Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining Fun Movie
Review: Bulletproof Monk is an entertaining and fun movie. The special effects of the actors walking on air is well done. Yun-Fat Chow is good in his role as the Bulletproof Monk, and a joy to watch on screen. Once you see the movie, you will understand the silly title of the movie, as it does fit. A guilty pleasure for a matinee.
Rating:
Summary: The scroll is Everyman's dream.
Review: The MGM lion still looks the same as when I was a young moviegoer.
This Lion's Rock production was pretty good, better than I initally had expected. Since reading about Paul Theroux's bold excursion to Tibet and his amusing anecdotes of the taxi ride up the Himalayan mountain trails, and of the newscaster, Lowell Thomas, who was invited to broadcast from the Holy City there and had a disastrous descent off the mountain, I have been most interested in this "heavenly" place.
The introduction to the story in which the scroll is explained in the Temple of Sublime Truth was supposedly in 1943. The action of this movie occurred sixty years later in America. There was a monkey guarding the scroll, a veritable fountain of youth for whomever is the caretaker; it has the power to rejuvenate and make the person young again. During the invasion of the Tibetan monastery by German soldiers with machine guns, the commander declared, "I don't like monkeys." He, however, is obsessed with obtaining this valuable document and will go to any means to possess it. His blonde nemesis, Nina, wore a long black leather coat worthy of Mrs. Steed. The no-name monk who had not aged in sixty years literally runs into a careless pickpocket in the subway; together, they rescue a trapped child on the tracks. This character dressed in a black leather biker's jacket. His lop-sided smile puts one in mind of Harrison Ford, but his ears are funny looking. He works for the Japanese owner of a Chinese movie theater, the Palace. During his encounter with a motley gang, and ensuing fight, the rap music was repulsive and just plain awful. They handled long metal rods in combat like a majorette would a baton. Very impressive. The gang talk, though, sounded like that from the London gutter. He felt he could fly like a phoenix, and at times almost fell to his fate. Some fortune-cookie wisdom is that "annoying others means you're wise. He thought his charm would prove he is nobody's fool.
Jade, the Russian Mafia princess, had a monkey for a pet -- looked the same as that of 60 years earlier. Must have been an old monkey. She also used a deadly reptile, Cleopatra's asp, as security when she slept. The feminine combat between Nina and Jade was something, lots of hair-pulling and noises.
The Nazis never fight fairly, the commander (was it before or after he became young again) even bit his opponent on a part of his anatomy, but not the ear. There was a terrific chase on foot through the city traffic; you must see the monk standing tall on the roof of a red car with guns in both hands. This is comic-book action at its best. Greyhound bus #8236 was in the melee. A huge statue of Atlas was enclosed in what looked to be the Water Tower in downtown Chicago. Alas, it was just plaster. Nero lost his head. The underground tunnels were reminiscent of Batman's cave.
When Karr and no-name Monk accidentally discover a group of monks, he must undergo one heluva handshake by one who later calls him a "friend". He is continually influenced to trust his instincts; he's told that the prophecies apply to everyone or they mean nothing. "Less than nothing means dead." They make it through a dramatic downpour of rain outside the Palace Theater and are attacked by a black helicopter. The street violence is typical movie fare, but the sky is beautiful. We learn that life is complicated, but all you have to do is believe. With all due respect to the Buddhist beliefs, this movie wasn't half bad.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Way To Spend A Few Hours
Review: Having recently read the Bulletproof Monk comic, on which this film is based, and been less than thrilled with it, I was kind of reluctant to see the film. On the one hand, the source material reeked. On the other hand, Chow Yun-Fat is an action-film God....Finally curiousity won out, and I decided to give Bulletproof Monk a shot. (Get it? Bulletproof...? Shot...? Never mind....) The film mercifully departs from the Comic almost immediately, and boy, was I glad! Yun-Fat plays the nameless Monk, who is not so much bulletproof as able to dodge bullets (Think Keanu in The Matrix...). He's charged with protecting an ancient scroll that can bring about the end of the world. As the film opens (In the 1940's), his monastary is beseiged by Nazi's seeking the scroll. After the Monk escapes with the scroll, we flash forward 60 Years, as the un-aged Monk meets up with a young pickpocket (Seann William Scott). The Monk decides to train him in the Monkly Arts, and before you know it, that pesky Nazi is back, menacing our Monk from his wheelchair. (Yeah, it's goofy, but it's a lot of fun.) Throw in the gorgeous James King as a butt kickin' Kung-Fu girl, and you've got the recipe for a good time. The villains are villainous, the Heroes are heroic, the action is cool, and the one-liners fly fast and furious. Yun-Fat is delightfully droll as the Monk, delivering ancient wisdom with a sly smirk on his face. One small quibble: I'm glad the filmmakers decided to scrap the Comic's storyline, but it's too bad they couldn't stay closer the book's all-Asian cast of characters. (No offense to Scott and King, both of whom were great in their roles....It'd just be nice to see Hollywood be a little more colorblind in their casting choices.)
Rating:
Summary: A Balanced Review from a Movie Buff
Review: While some of the reviewers here ask this movie to do things it never intended to do (like be super intellectual and philosophical) I take a look at what the creators wanted to do and see whether they achieved it. I also try to review based on my responses to the film - did I enjoy it? Most certainly! BUT...read on. Overall, my responses to the film made the matinee price worth it. I wouldn't recommend anyone spend more than matinee prices for this film. I am a fan of Chow Yun-Fat and always find him to be a remarkable presence on film, the other two supporting actors also did their jobs very well. Jamie King is in fact a real find and I hope she works more. Seann William Scott is actually convincing as a pickpocket with martial arts skills. The story is very fun. Chow Yun-Fat is a monk who gave up his name when he became the protector of the scroll that gives anyone who reads it the power to recreate the earth however they wish. He has extra powers thanks to the scroll and doesn't age for as long as he protects it. His job lasts for 60 years, and to retire, he must find the person who fulfills the prophecy to take his place. The prophecy - three requirements - and how they are fulfilled, gives a great deal of fun to this movie, more so than the average action or martial arts film. Also a nice change is the fact that the Monk defeats his foes non-violently, that is, he eschews the use of murderous force whenever possible, such as kicking the guns at his opponents rather than shooting them, and giving the Nazi bad guy a chance to change even though his life would be so much easier if he just killed the guy. These points would have made me give this movie 4 or even 5 stars, but I must refrain because of the direction, editing and cinematography. The cinematography is dark, dank, gritty, overall just very ugly. Maybe they were paying homage to the Hong Kong tradition, but I didn't feel it was a good choice. The editing is very often abrupt, often leaving out half of a kick or block on the cutting room floor so that you wind up being unsure as to whether or not these actors really are kicking and moving, or just standing there in a pose. The director and head photographer often choose the worst camera lens for the shot, such as extreme closeups when two people are fighting. The director doesn't shoot anyone to their advantage, and it's only due to the wonderful chemistry and star power of the actors that they don't get lost in the frame. Despite the blatant mistakes in direction and editing, I really enjoyed this film and wish I could give it 4 stars. However, this movie could have been so much better and really deserved much better treatment than it got. The potential is right there in the story and the excellent cast so it's extra disappointing that the technical aspects and overall vision did not ultimately support it. If you like the stars, love fun films with great good guys and evil bad guys with some good martial arts mixed in, then by all means see this film, but best to wait for cable or video.
Rating:
Summary: The Bottom Line for this Movie
Review: Ok people, lets get some things strait here. I'm reading these reviews and find myself confused. I keep reading things like the characters aren't developed enough or there isn't enough philosophical value or that the acting isn't good enough. WHAT KIND OF MOVIE DID YOU EXPECT TO SEE?? This is an action film based on a comic book which meens the action will be over the top, characters will be silly, acting won't be the best, and the story won't make the film nominated for best film of the year, but that is exactly what I wanted to see when I walked into the theater. This movie isn't Crouching Tiger. It's a movie with a unbeliavable plot, which in its way was good to me, and very cool, gravity-defying martial arts scens. If you lik that you'll like this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Thank God the Matrix comes out next month.
Review: So you'd like to see a good kung fu flick with some action and elements of comedy? I wish I could say Bulletproof Monk was it. Here's the problem. There are only two american film makers that understand how to make kung fu films. Their names are Andy Wackowski and Larry Wackowski, and they didn't make this film. They alone seem to understand that the reason people love kung fu movies is to see kung fu. In Bulletproof Monk, like every other Hollywood film, hides the fact that it really doesn't know what it's doing behind close ups and fast cuts. Watch any real kung fu movie (Crouching Tiger comes to mind since most people have seen it) and you'll notice they don't hide ANYTHING. Every kick, punch, block, dodge, spin, leap, grab, throw is rendered completely visible to the eye. Most people watch films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon not understanding completely why the fight scenes are so visceral and appealing. Zoom in too close or cut too quickly and the audience misses what happens. Sure you may give them the understanding that some fast action is happening, but you aren't letting them see it. This is the reason why martial arts always works better on the screen than in a book. But say you could really care less about everything I just said. You don't like kung fu movies; you're a civilized movie-goer! Well I don't know why you'd be expecting to enjoy this film. Perhaps you enjoy brainless buddy flicks like Rush Hour or I Spy? Well the chemistry between the two main characters in this film is even weaker than my examples, and there is really no comedy to speak of other than a few "cute" moments. If the acting is bad, the directing is worse. Directing action is a skill that not many directors posess, but I'm not sure what skills this director did have. Everywhere there tried to be elements of comedy, it fell flat. Drama? Where? Dialogue? Uh, uh.
Chow Yun Fat's talent is sorely underused in this film, and even surrounded by bad acting, this great actor cannot stand out. It's really a shame because I wanted to like this movie. It might be good to take the kids to see. Think of this film as Indiana Jones meets Kung Fu with the quality of your typical afternoon cartoon show.
Rating:
Summary: Right cast, wrong screenplay.
Review: To clear things up, and I wanna make this extremely clear, the two stars above are for Chow Yun Fat, my all time favorite actor, and Sean William Scott. The best way to describe this film would be, mindless drivel. Paul Hunter makes up in stupidity what he lacks in direction, It offers a few quick one liners and a few battle scenes worth seeing, maybe. Hunter thinks that watching the greats and immitating them is a good way to direct a movie, it is so sad because many starving young directors would kill for a chance to do a hollywood movie and they actually have creative talent and good direction. Paul seems to have watched the Matrix a few times too much, many of the scenes stolen directly out of the movie, including Morpheus' "They're here" line. How lame. The worst thing about this movie, and this is a doozy because there are A LOT of bad things about this film, is the Nazi commander trying to take over the world for 60 years after WWII is over is it. Hi, Steven Spielberg called he wants royalties because you ripped his Raiders of the Lost Arc off. And the sad truth is that decades later, a sort of Nazi refrence like that will not work. One more thing before I sign off. Mista Funtastik, a cockney street thug dressed in the latest Gucci pants threatening to cut off Orchestras, which if you are wondering actual English slang. Why? Paul, screenwriters, if you are reading this please take up day jobs at McDonalds and stop ruining the carrers of a venerated film stars and a new up and coming actors.
Rating:
Summary: bulletproof junk?
Review: This is not the worst movie, but it's not very good either. I'm somewhat biased. I miss the double gun handling Fat movies. I wish he would return as some kind of "killer". Yet, even if he wants to pursue martial arts movies, he certainly shouldn't be doing it in a silly "Jackie Chan" style movie. I've always agreed with people comparing him to a modern day chinese Cary Grant. He has too much class for something like this, and I believe it's a step in the wrong direction. You may be a big Fat fan(as I am), and have to see his movies no matter what. If so, wait for it to hit the ... theater, or your local video store. In this way, you'll appreciate the money you've spent a little more.
Rating:
Summary: More or Less?
Review: This movie, undoubtedly, will be compared to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'The Matrix'. Rightfully so. The opening is good, and you quickly learn how a character from 1943 is still the same in 2003.
A Monk gives up his name and is assigned to protect a scroll--which has the power to create paradise or total hell. It gives so much power that nobody is supposed to read it. But this has flawed logic when we find out where the scroll is hidden.
I liked the action. I enjoyed the concept, but I feel like the writers and editors left something out. What made 'The Matrix' more than an action film is the fact that it made you think. I wanted more of that here. What is missing here is spirituality because we are after all dealing with Monks and sacred scrolls with unbelievable abilities--and ancient prophecies which were fulfilled in creative ways...though not developed as well as I think they could have been.
In the end, this movie is a live-action comic book with whacky villains (who could have been developed more), especially when we find out why they want the scroll. With a motive like that, there could have been some preachiness....
PG-13: Mild language, some sexuality, violence, and themes. It will be enjoyed by anyone ten and over, except for all of that philosophical stuff. Those in their mid-20s and older might be slightly offended by how 'dumbed-down' the movie is. I enjoyed it for what it was, but still wanted more.
Rating: 
Summary: Ignore the stupid title and go see this
Review: I thought the movie was pretty good. Seann William Scott showed that he can do more than just get peed on, kiss males, or drink tainted beer. It's pretty cool watching Stifler kick some.... Chow Yun Fat is a good actor. The chemistry with Scott is a little off at times, granted this isn't a Rush Hour but the scene with the Coco Puffs and the way Chow's accent is when he speaks is hilarious. I like Jamie King's character because she's very strong and doesn't feel the need to show her sexuality to get noticed. The action sequences are great. It's kinda like Indiana Jones meets Crouching Tiger. good stuff yo.
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