Bulletproof Monk

2003

Bulletproof Monk

Critics Consensus

Venerable action star Chow Yun-Fat is the only saving grace in this silly action flick that more often than not resembles a commercial in style.

23%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 132

38%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 194,464
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Movie Info

A monk and a pickpocket become unlikely allies in this action adventure story. Sixty years ago, a nameless monk (Chow Yun-Fat) was appointed the guardian of a mysterious scroll that grants remarkable powers to those who possess it. After six decades of traveling the world to protect the scroll, the monk must find someone new to assume the responsibility, but as fate would have it, the new caretaker turns out to be Kar (Seann William Scott), a scruffy and distinctly non-enlightened petty thief living in San Francisco. As the monk attempts to educate Kar in the powers and responsibilities of the scroll and the ways of a monk's life, they discover they have a rival for the possession of the valuable scroll. As Kar and the monk fend off their mysterious adversary, they are aided by Bad Girl (Jaime King), a beautiful Russian mob affiliate with amazing martial arts skills and a vested interest in keeping the scroll in virtuous hands. Bulletproof Monk was based a comic book series published in 1999; Chow Yun-Fat's frequent collaborators John Woo and Terence Chang produced.

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Cast

Yun-Fat Chow
as Monk with No Name
Seann William Scott
as Kar
Jaime King
as Jade/Bad Girl
Karel Roden
as Strucker
Victoria Smurfit
as Nina
Marcus Jean Pirae
as Mr. Funktastic
Mako
as Mr. Kojima
Roger Yuan
as Master Monk
Chris Collins
as Sax
Sean Bell
as Diesel
Kishaya Dudley
as DV
Rob Archer
as Buzz
Mauricio Rodas
as Wicho
Robert Archer Lynn
as Buzz
Bayo Akinfemi
as Shade
Russell Yuen
as Brother Tenzin
Albert Chung
as Young Monk
Karis Han
as Boy Monk
Angela Seto
as Old Sho Girl
Paul Fauteux
as Subway Cop
Raven Dauda
as Young Mother
Isys McKoy
as Little Girl
Peter Snider
as Three Piece Suit
Suresh John
as Cabbie
Geoff Williams
as Breathless Cop
Michael Yanover
as Hotdog Vendor
Chad Camileri
as Merc
Steve Lucescu
as Merc
James Acheson
as Merc
Michael Gow
as Monastery Monk
John MacDonald
as Merc
Danny Lima
as Merc
Robert Racki
as Merc
Kevin Rushton
as Merc
Hadley Sandiford
as Merc
Brian Jagersky
as Merc
Matt Birman
as Merc
Blair Johannes
as Merc
Regan Moore
as Kommando
Mark Patrick Carducci
as Kommando
Barry Oliver
as Kommando
Bryan Thomas
as Kommando
Joel Harris
as Kommando
Henry Korhonen
as Kommando
Neil Davison
as Kommando
Christopher McGuire
as Kommando
Lloyd Adams
as Transit Cop
Christopher D. Amos
as Transit Cop
Murray R. Croft
as Transit Cop
Billy Oliver
as Kommando
Phil Chiu
as Monastery Monk
Mike Gow
as Monastery Monk
Allen Keng
as Monastery Monk
Tommy Chang
as Temple Monk
Fabian Choe
as Temple Monk
Mike Chow
as Temple Monk
James Kim
as Temple Monk
Alan Tang
as Wu Shu Monk
Nathan Lam
as Wu Shu Monk
Peter Wong
as Wu Shu Monk
Feng Jun Wei
as Wu Shu Monk
Lin Yi-Sheng
as Wu Shu Monk
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Critic Reviews for Bulletproof Monk

All Critics (132) | Top Critics (37)

View All Critic Reviews (132)

Audience Reviews for Bulletproof Monk

  • Jan 21, 2016
    This movie was an all round disappointment from the OTT action stunts that if you're over the age of 10 will just roll your eyes at, The acting was pretty bad, The story has been done so many times we can guess what's going to happen next most of the time, Not even Seann William Scotts charm and humour can save this movie, The ending scenes were ok, But the rest of the film is cringe worthy and very forgetful.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 01, 2013
    This was a tedious and boring affair that plays out like the early Canon era of action films. Yun-Fat was clearly attempting to create a name for himself with the western market, but this film is made by a filmmaker with zero acting credentials. I enjoy high concept storytelling but when a film has fight scenes this poorly directed and edited, you can't help but tune out. This is a giant missed opportunity considering the stars and the concept. I'm happy to see audiences stayed away, a true statement that a film lacked substance and guilty pleasure status. Not all filmmakers can jump from music clips to films, not everybody is inventive like Fichner. 17/11/2018.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Feb 13, 2012
    I felt a stabbing pain watching this movie. I had dark hole expectations watching it and I was still dissapointed. Bulletproof Monk is the biggest Americanisation of the eastern action movie i've ever seen. Seann William Scott has only ever been funny in Role Models. Yung kicks ass but unfortunately the rest doesn't. Especially the ridiculous non-existent plot.
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2011
    The premise is ridiculous, the characters are paper thin, the plot is preposterous, but the over-the-top silliness of the film makes it a very watchable popcorn flick.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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