Bulletproof Monk
Review by Clint Morris
 If
you've a taste for comic books, there's definitely no shortage
of art inspired celluloid on screens right about now.
From blockbusters like Spider-Man and Daredevil
to imminent hits, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four,
and Hellboy, it really is comic paradise for blurb
aficionados with a proclivity for cinema.
And here's the latest inception, Bulletproof Monk,
based on the image comics release of the same name.
A mysterious monk [Chow Yun Fat] has spent 60 years ducking
and weaving from evildoers desperate to snatch an ancient
scroll - the key to ultimate power - from him.
He's getting on though, and decides it time to start looking
for a new scroll keeper. Kar [Sean William Scott], a pert
street kid, whose only Kung-Fu experience has been learnt
by way of Chinese cinema, seems the most doubtful aspirant.
"The most undisciplined youth I have ever laid eyes on,"
remarks the judicious Monk.
But sure enough, Kar proves himself more than a promising
pupil, by saving the Monk's life and signifying his ability
to clash and shield. With the aid of a sexy Russian princess
named Jade [Jaime King], the threesome take on an evil union,
determined to see the scroll lands in their hands.
Riddled with awesome fight scenes, outfitted with a great
tongue-in-cheek sense of humour, and equipped with one of
the screen's most interesting duo's of recent times, Bulletproof
Monk translates very well from the pages of a comic.
It's a film that walks a fine-line between serious superhero
flick and slapstick, but does it successfully - giving the
audience a conglomerate of great martial arts moments intertwined
with some very funny dialogue and impetus.
Sean William Scott - in his first action movie - provides
much of the humour, bringing the elements of 'Stifler' (his
character from American Pie) and blending it with a
wet-behind-the-ears pupil drawing to great success.
He again proves himself a hilarious young actor whilst also
showcasing another side to him: The action hero. It's a plodding
change from nobody to somebody for the character, and it comes
across as quite credible.
"You can sit on your butt and do nothing, or fly from
the ashes of your pathetic life," he's told by his employer,
a wisely theatre projectionist.
Co-star Chow Yun Fat is very at home in the role of the heroic,
almost larger-than-life super Monk. The film doesn't give
the actor much a chance to act, but he absolutely shines in
the action sequences, be it armed with blazing pistols or
plummeting from car rooftops.
As Jade, sexy Jaime King proves herself quite a formidable
heroine. She's fast, she's sleek, and she's the picture of
resistance. If Daredevil's Elektra needs competition
- let Jade be it.
Bulletproof Monk isn't the blockbuster Spider-Man
or X-Men is - largely due to a lack of effects and
effective eye-popping action - but if you're a fan of martial
arts, and fancy an alternative to the heavy-going comic adaptations
ahead, then this is your bag.
Here's to the start of a cool new franchise.
3 out of 5
Bulletproof Monk
Australian release: Thursday June 12th
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Sean William Scott, Jaime King, Patrick
Hagarty, Karl Roden, Victoria Smurfit, Mako.
Director: Paul Hunter.
Website: Click
here
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