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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
- Dual Layer ( )
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- English: Dolby Digital Stereo
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Subtitles |
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Extras |
- Deleted scenes
- Theatrical trailer
- 6 Featurette
- Photo gallery - 19 pics
- Behind the scenes footage
- Alternate ending
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Bulletproof Monk: CE |
Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment .
R4 . COLOR . 100 mins .
M15+ . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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With the string of roles Seann William Scott has played, it’s little wonder he chose to escape them in the role of Kar, the no good pickpocket without a family in Bulletproof Monk. Working with Chow Yun-Fat would also have contributed strongly to the appeal and when the wirework and karate aspects were added to that, where do I sign? As noted, Scott plays Kar, a thief by day and cinema operator by night, pumping out old karate movies and secretly studying them to learn karate (as we all do in the privacy of our own homes...) When chance throws he and a mysterious Asian fella together, it’s a battle of wills between them as Monk (all we know him by) tells him he is the next chosen one to guard a secret scroll. If read aloud in its entirety, this ancient prayer will give total power to whoever utters it. Throw in a string of Nazi thugs intent on grabbing it to deliver the world from the ‘impure races’, and we get plenty of chases, action sequences and kung-fu fighting like crazy. "I don’t like monkeys..." |
Knowing little of the Bulletproof Monk other than the short stint it had in cinemas and the comic book it’s based upon, I didn’t expect serious melodrama and thankfully didn’t get it. There are plenty of the usual brand of high flying, scorpion kicking, ground defying leapings we’ve come to believe common in fights nowadays and they are done with tongue ever so slightly in cheek. A comic book success story from Flypaper Press, the film isn’t quite the same (or as good) as the comic - in fact it's wildly different - but is still a bunch of fun if approached correctly. Nazi evils reminiscent of Indiana Jones films, Shintaro level mysticisms, Monkey style humour and a healthy dose of good ole American bullshit take this film through a regulation formula format that all will recognise. Man finds boy, boy leaves man, boy likes girl (while she remains unattainable), man gets into trouble, boy finds inner goodness, boy saves day and gets girl. And that’s cool. We should have known going in it would be this way. There’s some delicious irony thrown in too about Nazis and why they would want a scroll from Asians to remove the world of the ‘impure races’. I loved that. That’s classic comic book irony right there. Naturally, being a comic book film there are comic symbols thrown in all over as well, to bring that edge of drawn reality into the world. Hero standing heroically in heroic rain by heroic church and such, you heroically know what I mean. And to this end the film works as a 100 minute big screen adventure that everyone can enjoy (if wearing the right approach, remember). Don’t expect logic and don’t expect science. Do expect pop zen and popcorn and everything will be fine.
Video |
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Released recently in cinemas at the widescreen format of 2.35:1, how could this film look bad on our smaller screens if handled correctly? Handled correctly it has been and its 16:9 enhanced goodness emanates from every frame. The deliciously clear picture is razor sharp and practically perfect. Interiors are well lit, shadows are well described and blacks are true to reality. Even better, they’re true to comic book reality, which again helps define this film as a comic book vehicle. Flesh is natural looking and the colour palette is comfortably saturated. The only fault, if it can be called one, is in some of the dodgy computer aided animation and scenery, plus the goofy wirework. Some of it is just a little bit too stilted for any reality, comic book or otherwise. Still, the same could be said for Daredevil yet it’s a hugely popular title on DVD, so maybe my standards are too high. At any rate...
Audio |
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Such a recent release would naturally get a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround deal, right? Right. And it sounds superb. Apart from an imbalance between levels of dialogue and music, it is practically perfect, just like the video. I found some of the dialogue just a little lowish with the rather heavy musical accompaniments a tad higher. However, both still sound great. The dialogue is well spoken and incorporates some fairly cheesy zen sayings and clichéd catchphrases, but these do contribute to the comic book nature yet again (what bugged me more was the straight face of the director as he discussed them in interviews later on). Well, that all being said, the sound is still very nice and clean of static or noise and other annoying junk.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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Contract |
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As I’ve noted, this is a fun film and one comic book initiates will enjoy for the stereotyped underground thugs and villainous Nazis involved in the plot to get the scroll. Sure, the idea of a single scroll with some Eastern prayer that gives ultimate power is a little weak and there are serious shades of David Carradine in Kung Fu here, but it seems to be a loving arm around the shoulder, rather than a blatant ripoff. Some sweet moves from Yun-Fat make the fighting worthwhile viewing, though this is far removed from any Crouching Tiger comparisons you might have. It’s a little silly, sure, but for anyone looking for a fun night in front of the teev without having to think too hard, this is your disc.
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3058
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And I quote... |
"Harmless kung-fu fun that runs on pop zen philosophies and classic comic book action." - Jules Faber |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Nintaus DVD-N9901
- TV:
Sony 51cm
- Receiver:
Diamond
- Speakers:
Diamond
- Surrounds:
No Name
- Audio Cables:
Standard Optical
- Video Cables:
Standard Component RCA
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