Bulletproof Monk (PG-13)

Violent but cool martial arts movie.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
349.jpg
Movie details
  • Studio: MGM/UA
  • Directed By: John Huston
  • Cast: Seann William Scott, Chow Yun-Fat
  • Running Time: 104 minutes
  • Release Date: 04/21/2003
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 09/09/2003
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: violence, language and some sexual content

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is very violent, though not as graphic as many PG-13s. Characters are killed, including one who is impaled. There is brief strong language. There are some sexual references, though it is very clear that the "bad girl" is, as far as sex goes, a "good girl."

Families can talk about why the monks did not just destroy the scroll. What is there in the world today that is as susceptible as the fictional scroll to being used for devastating purposes?

Message

Social Behavior:

Strong Asian and female characters.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

None.

Violence

Intense action sequences. Peril.

Sex

Mild.

Language

Brief strong language.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) plays the Monk With No Name (like the Clint Eastwood character, The Man With No Name), who back in World War II was assigned the task of guarding a sacred scroll. A Nazi officer named Strucker tries to get it, but the Monk escapes. Sixty years later, the Nazi and his grand-daughter are still after the scroll. Strucker is old and in a wheelchair, but the Monk, because of his special assignment, has not aged. It is time for him to find the next guardian of the scroll, however, and it just seems that it might be a petty thief and chop-socky film projectionist named Kar (Seann William Scott).

Is it any good?

4

Here is how cool Hong Kong action superstar Chow is: while clearly capable of outshining just about anyone and anything in movies today, instead he manages to somehow shine his coolness over everything around him, making action heroes out of Seann William Scott (of Dude Where's My Car and American Pie) and model-turned actress Jamie King (Pearl Harbor). The result is a popcorn pleasure, an action movie with a little wit, a lot of spirit, and some kick-butt kick-boxing.

Scott has shown an appealing comic presence in previous movies, but I would never have expected him to be able to carry a leading role as well as he does here. He is buff and he is game. He is confident enough not to take himself seriously, and he does very well. King, playing a "Bad Girl" (that's her nickname) with a secret, handles herself well. She and Kar fight as a way of getting to know one another (as Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck did in Daredevil), so their thrusts and parries help to tell the story. The fight scenes in BULLETPROOF MONK are staged wonderfully, and the production design is outstanding, especially the underground lair of a ragtag bunch of scoundrels who live in subway tunnels. The dialogue is not completely embarassing, which makes it a big step up from most action films. And Chow, as ever, has all the presence it takes to make the screen come alive.

Support Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a non-profit and will receive a portion of your purchase from Pricegrabber. Learn more.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/09/06 by soccer girl7 Kid contributor, age 12

I liked it

I really enjoyed it. Iwas laughing a lot and the martial arts was fun watching (considering I'm a blackbelt) I would definetly rent it on DVD. Ps: 'XXX' and 'The Rundown' are great movies also!
3

Posted on 05/14/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

VERY VIOLENT

Enter Review Here We love the main character -- a monk who never hurts anyone -- but we wondered why there was over-the-top violence in a movie like this that basically had good messages for young teens. Half send up, half action flick, this had SO much potential, but a scene with TORTURE in it really put off me and my tweener kids.
4

Posted on 05/08/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Crouching Tiger meets Indiana Jones

Boys will love the action but it's a little too intense for the subjecy matter. Kids would have enjoyed it just as much without the graphic detaills. It was really good but violent-including one scene of torture.

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

3

Posted on 05/14/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

VERY VIOLENT

Enter Review Here We love the main character -- a monk who never hurts anyone -- but we wondered why there was over-the-top violence in a movie like this that basically had good messages for young teens. Half send up, half action flick, this had SO much potential, but a scene with TORTURE in it really put off me and my tweener kids.
4

Posted on 05/08/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Crouching Tiger meets Indiana Jones

Boys will love the action but it's a little too intense for the subjecy matter. Kids would have enjoyed it just as much without the graphic detaills. It was really good but violent-including one scene of torture.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 05/09/06 by soccer girl7 Kid contributor, age 12

I liked it

I really enjoyed it. Iwas laughing a lot and the martial arts was fun watching (considering I'm a blackbelt) I would definetly rent it on DVD. Ps: 'XXX' and 'The Rundown' are great movies also!
Review It

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans
Which fantasy book creature has the best name?
Fluffy (3-headed dog, Harry Potter)
43%
Mister Grin (giant crocodile, Peter and the Starcatchers)
29%
Vermicious Knid (shapeshifting monster, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
0%
The Incredibly Deadly Viper (harmless snake, Series of Unfortunate Events)
0%
Bunnicula (vampire bunny, Bunnicula series)
29%
7 votes