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The story of Bulletproof Monk revolves around the "Ultimate Scroll" which—if it fell into the
wrong hands—can be used to conquer the world. At the Temple of Sublime Truth, up in the Himalayas, the scroll's current guardian says it should be guarded with one's
life and its contents must not be read by anyone since the human race is not yet ready for the powers the scroll can give man. A young monk (Chow Yun-Fat) is anointed to
be the scroll's next guardian, having passed a rigorous final test by his venerable master.
He is tasked to protect the scroll, which will also protect him, but he must make his final sacrifice: give up his name. The powers of the scroll include delaying the aging of its guardian for 60 years. That was 1943, and Nazi soldiers lead by the cold blooded Struker (Karl Roden) who were also coveting the scroll stormed the monastery and killed all the monks. The scroll's new guardian—the anointed monk who had given up his name—escaped Struker's deadly maksmanship by jumping off a cliff. The scene jumps to almost 60 years later, in San Francisco, USA—the nameless monk/scroll bearer who hasn't acquired a wrinkle more since 1943 is seeking his replacement. He sniffs potential in a tough but kindhearted thief, Kar (Seann William Scott) and follows his nose to find out if the young man is indeed the destined heir of the power scroll.
The story is good, the plot tight and clear, but the dialogue can not save the
well-intentioned script.
However, there are good lines, too, and you can glean wisdom from them if you will but forgive the fact that they tend to sound like fortune cookie poetry. Martial arts scenes and stunts are aplenty and entertaining, too, and may even elicit oohs and aahs from viewers who have never heard of computer-enhanced cinematic action. But for moviegoers familiar with computer games,
Bulletproof Monk may just appear as "one of 'em action films" where heroes depend on computer generated superhuman feats to keep exciting audiences.
The movie's title Bulletproof Monk
could be misleading. For one reason, it makes one expect comedy of the film—as if the hero-monk would defy death by gunfire simply because he's wearing a bulletproof vest. For another reason, the movie's title distracts from what's really important in the story: the ancient scroll and the powers it could unleash—it could give its bearer the power to annihilate the whole human race or to rule the world with compassion and kindness. As the story goes, an octogenarian (if not older) is moving hell to gain possession of the scroll—not only to have its powers but possibly to add another 60 years to his life without the accompanying signs of aging. What's the story trying to say, then? That man is not ready for unlimited power and therefore should not be given it.
(Date reviewed: August 1, 2003)
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