Film Review: Reviewed By Alan Jones; 1 out of 5

This martial arts fantasy produced by John Woo is based on a late 1990s cult comic book, and turns out to be a messy mix of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix and Lost Horizon. The plot concerns an ancient life-prolonging Tibetan scroll that's protected by nameless monk Chow Yun-Fat (and, after an unlikely plot twist, his petty-pickpocket disciple Seann William Scott) and coveted by former Nazi officer Karl Roden. Combining daft fortune-cookie philosophy, overdone stunts and fluffed fight-choreography, music-video director Paul Hunter's cheesy fusion resembles a pilot episode for some badly acted mid-1970s clone of Kung Fu. Without even the slightest hint of knowing camp to save it, this comic-strip misadventure soon collapses.

Plot Summary

Fantasy action adventure starring Chow Yun-Fat and Seann William Scott. For the last six decades, a monk has been the protector of an ancient Tibetan scroll with magical powers, but must now find a replacement. By accident, the honour falls to a petty thief, who must accept his calling if the scroll is to be kept out of the hands of a Nazi gang.