BULLETPROOF MONK

US, 2003, 104 minutes, Colour.
Chow Fan Yun Fat, Seann William Scott, Jaimie King, Karel Roden, Victoria Smurfit, Mako.
Directed by Paul Hunter.

As catchy titles go, this one has a lot going for it, a combination of violence and religion, action and contemplation. But this enhances the film too much. It is an enjoyable action show, combing the odd couple of Hong Kong's Chow Yun Fat (Anna and the King, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) with Seann William Scott (the crass Stifler from the American Pie films). On the whole, it works, bringing a 1940s monk who carries a secret for power and for peace (and who was attacked by a Nazi commander who coveted the power) and a streetwise 21st century thief. Not only has the monk lived on, searching for a successor, but the Nazi as too and is still as determined to capture the monk as before. This makes for a mixture of pseudo-Buddhist mysticism and martial arts action - some daredevil stunts and some humour.

1. The popularity of martial arts films? With Buddhist religious background? In contemporary US? With contemporary characters meeting characters from the past and tradition?

2. The prologue in Tibet, 1943, the Temple of Sublime Truth, the Monk and his having no name, custodian of the scroll of the Ultimate, the scroll and its giving all powers to those who read it? The life of the monastery, the Monk and his martial arts training, the fight on the bridge? The attack of the Nazi unit, Struker and his attack on the monastery, the search for the scroll, the attack and the Monk surviving? The prologue to the plot, the action, the themes of religion and the Ultimate?

3. The transition to the United States, the beginning of the 21st century? The contrast of the US city with the peace of Tibet and the monastery? The Monk and his being in the United States, having to cope with contemporary styles? His mission to seek out the next guardian of the scroll?

4. The prophecies from the monks, the Monk and his searching for the individual, his scrutinising behaviour for the fulfilment of the prophecies? The chance encounter with Kar, his stealing of the scroll? His following him, the gang leader, Mr Funktastic? Kar and his fighting with the henchman, the Monk's interpretation that this was the fulfilment of the first of the prophecies? His retrieving the scroll?

5. The character of Kar, modern, American style, the petty thief, on the streets, with the gang? His skill in martial arts? Initial impression on the Monk?

6. The Monk and his memories of his own youth, his having confidence in Kar? Mr Funktastic's girlfriend, Bad Girl? His having stolen her necklace, her demands on him? The confrontation, the beginning of an attraction?

7. Struker's mercenaries, the pursuit of the Monk and Kar, Struker and his having aged, his still wanting the scroll and its powers?

8. The fraternity of monks, Monk and Kar with the monks? Another attack from Struker's forces, the scroll being taken by Nina? Granddaughter of Struker? The irony of its containing the recipe for soup? The reality of the scroll being tattooed on the Monk? Struker and his vengeance, kidnapping the monks, the torture chamber?

9. The Monk and Kar breaking into the family mansion, the reality of Bad Girl's identity? The daughter of the Russian Mafia chief? Jade? Her fighting with Kar? The Monk seeing this as the fulfilment of the second prophecy?

10. The capture of the Monk, his being taken to Struker? The décor and style of Struker's hideout? The reading of the tattoos - and the irony that the last verse is in the Monk's mind only? Kar and Jade, the organising of the rescue? The confrontation with Nina? Her defeat, the freedom of the monks? The confrontation with Struker, the combination of the efforts and skills of the Monk and Kar to defeat him?

11. The Monk and his decision to give the scroll to Kar, the fulfilling of the third prophecy in the freedom of the monks? Jade being shot, Struker's death and the falling statue?

12. Jade surviving, the fulfilling of the prophecies, the Monk deciding that the scroll's words can be divided between the two? Kar being able to be a monk - but in the 20th century with a companion?

13. The popular ingredients of martial arts with the overtones of the East? The modern American interest in martial arts action stories? The touches of mysticism?