Bulletproof Monk (2003)

Based on the very underground comic book, a Tibetan monk becomes a mentor to a young street kid whom he can teach to protect a scroll.

Director:

Paul Hunter

Writers:

Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris

Stars:

Yun-Fat Chow, Seann William Scott, Jaime King

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yun-Fat Chow	...	Monk With No Name (as Chow Yun-Fat)
Seann William Scott	...	Kar
Jaime King	...	Jade
Karel Roden	...	Strucker
Victoria Smurfit	...	Nina
Marcus Jean Pirae	...	Mr. Funktastic
Mako	...	Mr. Kojima
Roger Yuan	...	Master Monk
K.C. Collins	...	Sax (as Chris Collins)
Sean Bell	...	Diesel
Kishaya Dudley	...	DV
Rob Archer	...	Buzz
Mauricio Rodas	...	Wicho
Bayo Akinfemi	...	Shade
Russell Yuen	...	Brother Tenzin

Storyline

For 60 years a mysterious monk with no name has zigzagged the globe to protect an ancient scroll - a scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now the Monk must look for a new scrollkeeper. Kar is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he inadvertently saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer. Packed with spectacular special effects and martial arts action, the Monk, Kar, and a sexy Russian mob princess called Bad Girl must struggle to find, face, and fight the ultimate enemy.

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Plot Keywords:

woman murders a man | woman murders a woman | woman strangles a man | murder | murderess | 

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Taglines:

A power beyond measure requires a protector without equal.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Filmax [Spain] MGM [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English Tibetan Punjabi German

Release Date:

16 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alexisfairos kalogeros

Filming Locations:

Loblaws Warehouse, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$52,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,653,542, 20 April 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$23,020,488, 26 May 2003

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,960,630, 7 November 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),Lakeshore Entertainment,Mosaic Media Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez were considered for the part which ultimately went to Jaime King.

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Goofs

When Karr and Jade are in the car driving to save Monk, Jade grabs Karr's hand. In the next shot, both of her hands are on the steering wheel before returning to Karr's hand in the shot after that.

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Quotes

Monk With No Name: Why do hot dogs come in packages of ten, but hot dog buns only come in packages of just eight?
Kar: What the hell is that?

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Connections

References The Matrix (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Way You Dream
Written by Duncan Bridgeman, Jamie Catto, Michael Stipe, Whirimako Black
Performed by 1 Giant Leap featuring Michael Stipe & Asha Bhosle
1 Giant Leap appear under license from Palm

User Reviews

Bulletproof? No. Cheesy fun? Yes.

I have just gotten back from seeing Bulletproof Monk (literally) which is essentially a very cheesy movie, but dammit if it isn't fun! I knew the movie was going to be silly, but I just wanted to see some wire-fu and be entertained.

The story is silly, it's about a monk who has to protect a scroll that when read will give the reader ultimate power (of course the protector of the scroll gets the magical power of wife-fu abilities). This monk (who has no name) has to find a new protector because it's been 60 years. So he chooses a pickpocket named Kar to become the nameless monk. And then they cavort around and run into a group of neo-nazis after the scroll (those wacky neo-nazis!) a Russian mafia princess named Jade (played by the smoking hot Jaime King) and a British guy with a mohawk named Mr. Funktastic, who lives in the underground of the New York subway, and keeps making verbal threats to cut men's genitalia off.

This movie takes itself lightheartedly, so the main duo of Seann William Scott and Chow Yun-Fat act like they are cast in a buddy cop film. Both Scott and Chow are funny (especially Chow), the wire-fu is entertaining, Jaime King is hot, and the whole movie works.

It's not the best film ever, and I couldn't tell you if it's the best Chow Yun-Fat film ever, since my local Hollywood video lacks his Hong Kong imports. But Bulletproof Monk may entertain those who like cheesy martial art flicks, or appese the action junkie while he has to wait to see the next summer blockbuster. I don't like rating systems, but if I did I would give it a 6 out of 10. It's not great but good. Have fun with it.