I couldn't disagree more with the first two reviews. I give it 7/10. I mean I liked it and I watched it 3 times, there is no shame in that and I'm truthful with myself. There is a lot of wisdom in the movie. Of course it's a Chinese movie and there is a lot of beautiful choreography, but if you listen carefully and you practice martial art, you may like it. The movie is about Kung fu, it's an art but it's also about life about philosophy. Of course, I don't agree with all that said in the movie, but most of the time I agree. But again, it'a Chinese movie, if you don't like IPman, Jet li, Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee don't watch it. Nevertheless, if you don't like them but you like philosophy and wisdom, you may love it anyway.
13 Reviews
Regular, almost cool...
RosanaBotafogo13 October 2022
A young monk embarks on an adventurous journey after being expelled from his monastery. As he faces the trials, tribulations and seduction of the real world for the first time, he encounters many masters along the way. Boss Zha, an opera singer with a knack for spears, as well as Zhou Xiyu, a Taoist who knows how to wield a stick.
Boring, however, cool and sometimes even funny, the first half was more pleasant, the drama more involving, the second half lost the dramatic content, became less captivating, focused on the action scenes, the photography and impeccable costumes, it pleases the allegory too, from ancient China, regular, almost cool...
Boring, however, cool and sometimes even funny, the first half was more pleasant, the drama more involving, the second half lost the dramatic content, became less captivating, focused on the action scenes, the photography and impeccable costumes, it pleases the allegory too, from ancient China, regular, almost cool...
Learning and living
kosmasp20 October 2016
Life after Shaolin school-the movie gives us a look at this. From someone who got kicked out and actually might not be qualified to be called a Shaolin. But apart from technicalities, this is about an individual who tries to make a living. One way or the other, but always dishing out respect to others. Doesn't change the fact, that he has some major flaws (what Shaolin would steal really?).
But that's why the movie has kind of a unique flavor. It's a bit of a mix of things, that make this weird and not as accessible as other martial arts movies, but it still has a lot going for it. Like the fight scenes, which arguably are not the best ever put on film, but are still entertaining enough, if you are into that kind of thing. Which is a statement that rings true for the entire movie
But that's why the movie has kind of a unique flavor. It's a bit of a mix of things, that make this weird and not as accessible as other martial arts movies, but it still has a lot going for it. Like the fight scenes, which arguably are not the best ever put on film, but are still entertaining enough, if you are into that kind of thing. Which is a statement that rings true for the entire movie
Bizarre movie
MickeyTheConstant10 December 2021
A really average movie. Story was really lame. Action ok but CGI heavy mist of which was of a poor standard. Disappointing watch. Bit boring. Young guy who was a monk who tries to find a master. Main character was actually quite annoying and definitely behaved as monk should not which I found really frustrating.
4/10 A masterpiece in how to ruin great potential.
shide_8514 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
4/10 - Minor spoilers are present that should not ruin anything out of the plot line.
This is not a movie I would recommend to anyone who likes movies and want a "proper" movie to watch for a night.
What should be added is: This movie is highly suitable for moviebuffs or those who teach in an area related to cinema. Those areas in the movie that are well made are really well made. Those areas that fail are clear and obvious, marking out their presence and their impact on the movie. The highs are high and the lows are really bloody low. The movie still retains a grain of interest. This is a big budget movie.
Pro's Those who scouted for locations earned 1 of those stars. Prop, costumes and wardrobe earned another one. Those who made the special effects earned yet another one. Lastly the classical plot earned a mentioning. Chen Chang & Aaron Kwok (Yin and Yang) as well as Wah Yuen also deserves being mentioned as they made solid performances despite what I'll share next. Also note that the budget wasn't small, that much is clear.
Con's The (far, very far) over the top martial arts (wirework a la Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) simply was not good and did a HUGE disservice to the movie. Same with the magical (or energetic if you prefer) additions. It detracted one star - so bad and big was the impact of it (i very rarely detract stars).
The dialogue was out of place a lot of the time, but it felt construed (allmost as if someone had rewritten it completely, tampered with it from the beginning to the end).
Like in Hollywoods older days, explosions were put in for the sake of explosions, actually making some parts as when Chang & Kwok met more of a showpiece for the studio and what they can do rather than a needed addition to the movie.
The time of events (mixing modern warfare with classical martial arts did not work with the over the top effects).
Some of the moments did simply not line up and the rationality of the characters were out of place.
There were also jumps in time which were not smoothly done.
There was really badly done symbolism in it, forcing and as far as i know partly misinforming the viewer. Do not get me wrong, i like when these kinds of movies use symbolism (like recently Mr. Six) and the cinematography can be really effective and complimentary to the story - but it isn't here, due to how it was implemented. *To give one example; when Zhou bring a pillar of water up and knocks out Pengs effort. -Just having the courtyard contain water and some open plated fires (for one reason or another) could have allowed the same fight to take place without wireworks and over the top cgi effects.
The clear moviereferences baked in were out of place, if you do not even recognise the Matrix references please do not comment in this thread. - Drawing connotations to modern sci-fi in a classical martial arts film is just wrong. If the point is to say that Matrix lent from martial arts movies I do not think anyone in the world previously missed that.
And not to forget, an out of the blue circumcision near the start. Genital mutilation of men (or women) should be done by individuals when they are old enough to rule themselves, or give informed consent and take the action to visit a doctor by themselves (excluding when deformities are present etc).
So if you are someone who is interested in movies this is a must see, you will take a lot from it - both good and bad. This would be a perfect movie to use if you teach in a related subject as it has extremely well done areas mixed with extremely badly matched and done areas, but not much within the middle. It is rare in that way (yes there are similar movies but they are usually not this well done in other aspects and it's not as clear how bad impact some elements have).
Some moments could easily have been movie magic (to give two examples); The fight at the start (easily could have been something else with the exact same setting) but without the forced effects. The sweeping with the broom.
This is not a movie I would recommend to anyone who likes movies and want a "proper" movie to watch for a night.
What should be added is: This movie is highly suitable for moviebuffs or those who teach in an area related to cinema. Those areas in the movie that are well made are really well made. Those areas that fail are clear and obvious, marking out their presence and their impact on the movie. The highs are high and the lows are really bloody low. The movie still retains a grain of interest. This is a big budget movie.
Pro's Those who scouted for locations earned 1 of those stars. Prop, costumes and wardrobe earned another one. Those who made the special effects earned yet another one. Lastly the classical plot earned a mentioning. Chen Chang & Aaron Kwok (Yin and Yang) as well as Wah Yuen also deserves being mentioned as they made solid performances despite what I'll share next. Also note that the budget wasn't small, that much is clear.
Con's The (far, very far) over the top martial arts (wirework a la Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) simply was not good and did a HUGE disservice to the movie. Same with the magical (or energetic if you prefer) additions. It detracted one star - so bad and big was the impact of it (i very rarely detract stars).
The dialogue was out of place a lot of the time, but it felt construed (allmost as if someone had rewritten it completely, tampered with it from the beginning to the end).
Like in Hollywoods older days, explosions were put in for the sake of explosions, actually making some parts as when Chang & Kwok met more of a showpiece for the studio and what they can do rather than a needed addition to the movie.
The time of events (mixing modern warfare with classical martial arts did not work with the over the top effects).
Some of the moments did simply not line up and the rationality of the characters were out of place.
There were also jumps in time which were not smoothly done.
There was really badly done symbolism in it, forcing and as far as i know partly misinforming the viewer. Do not get me wrong, i like when these kinds of movies use symbolism (like recently Mr. Six) and the cinematography can be really effective and complimentary to the story - but it isn't here, due to how it was implemented. *To give one example; when Zhou bring a pillar of water up and knocks out Pengs effort. -Just having the courtyard contain water and some open plated fires (for one reason or another) could have allowed the same fight to take place without wireworks and over the top cgi effects.
The clear moviereferences baked in were out of place, if you do not even recognise the Matrix references please do not comment in this thread. - Drawing connotations to modern sci-fi in a classical martial arts film is just wrong. If the point is to say that Matrix lent from martial arts movies I do not think anyone in the world previously missed that.
And not to forget, an out of the blue circumcision near the start. Genital mutilation of men (or women) should be done by individuals when they are old enough to rule themselves, or give informed consent and take the action to visit a doctor by themselves (excluding when deformities are present etc).
So if you are someone who is interested in movies this is a must see, you will take a lot from it - both good and bad. This would be a perfect movie to use if you teach in a related subject as it has extremely well done areas mixed with extremely badly matched and done areas, but not much within the middle. It is rare in that way (yes there are similar movies but they are usually not this well done in other aspects and it's not as clear how bad impact some elements have).
Some moments could easily have been movie magic (to give two examples); The fight at the start (easily could have been something else with the exact same setting) but without the forced effects. The sweeping with the broom.
China just can't get it right
Leofwine_draca7 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
While I adore Hong Kong cinema and have enjoyed pretty much every sub-genre of film-making to come from that part of the world in the last half century, mainland China is another story. The only consistently quality genre of films that the mainland seems able to make is the historical epic, full of sprawling battles, horses, and martial arts. Everything else is a letdown and MONK COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN follows that trend. The narrative is barely focused and involves a monk who is kicked out of the Shaolin Temple due to his misbehaviour. Said protagonist is played by the guy who was the villain in KUNG FU KILLER, Wang Baoqiang, and he's an entirely unprepossessing chap, lacking the charisma and grace to make a role like this work.
The plot just sort of ambles along endlessly, throwing in digressions involving supporting characters (the usual martial arts masters, a doctor, a CGI monkey in one random interlude) and plenty of CGI-enhanced fight scenes. I love martial arts fights and some of it is okay here, but too much of it is wire work assisted with flying and gravity-defying feats which aren't to my taste. The supporting cast is better, but underutilised: Lam Suet as a cop, Jaycee Chan as an underwhelming antagonist. The guy who played the Bruce Lee lookalike goalie in SHAOLIN SOCCER is here too, along with Tiger Hu of MAN OF TAI CHI fame. Best of the bunch is the criminally underrated Yuen Wah, playing another badass late on in his career; don't let the occasional bit of doubling fool you, Wah still has it and is by far the best thing in the entire movie. A shame the rest of the film can't match him.
The plot just sort of ambles along endlessly, throwing in digressions involving supporting characters (the usual martial arts masters, a doctor, a CGI monkey in one random interlude) and plenty of CGI-enhanced fight scenes. I love martial arts fights and some of it is okay here, but too much of it is wire work assisted with flying and gravity-defying feats which aren't to my taste. The supporting cast is better, but underutilised: Lam Suet as a cop, Jaycee Chan as an underwhelming antagonist. The guy who played the Bruce Lee lookalike goalie in SHAOLIN SOCCER is here too, along with Tiger Hu of MAN OF TAI CHI fame. Best of the bunch is the criminally underrated Yuen Wah, playing another badass late on in his career; don't let the occasional bit of doubling fool you, Wah still has it and is by far the best thing in the entire movie. A shame the rest of the film can't match him.
You need to experience both GOOD and BAD films ...
A_Different_Drummer4 October 2016
... TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
I watch a lot of movies ... so many that the IMDb once tagged me and released me into the wild to see what theatre I would pick.
After reading the other member reviews (thanks guys) I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is that I never read the novel nor did I bring any preconceptions.
What I found was a beautifully filmed, acted, and directed movie which was just daffy and unpredictable enough to hold my attention.
You say PO-TAE-TOE. I say PA-TAT-O.
What others see as a mishmash and fighting among writers and directors I see as a puzzle that the viewer needs to put together.
Recommended.
I watch a lot of movies ... so many that the IMDb once tagged me and released me into the wild to see what theatre I would pick.
After reading the other member reviews (thanks guys) I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is that I never read the novel nor did I bring any preconceptions.
What I found was a beautifully filmed, acted, and directed movie which was just daffy and unpredictable enough to hold my attention.
You say PO-TAE-TOE. I say PA-TAT-O.
What others see as a mishmash and fighting among writers and directors I see as a puzzle that the viewer needs to put together.
Recommended.
A dao shi apprentice goes to the city and begins a very dramatic life with several masters.
adamliang415 July 2015
The only thing that deserves a bit of praise are some of the effects and kung fu scenes, but even those are a stretch to say the least.
This movie is absolutely awful, and its awfulness increases as the so called "plot" progresses. JUST KIDDING, there is no plot, even a child can write such a horrendous story. The relations between characters are almost non existing. The movie does not follow the audience's pace at all, for some times the pace is so off that you feel completely cheated to even pay for this movie. Although advertised as a comedy, the only funny thing was how bad the movie is. Although I cannot give examples, imagine a lower school level story line with sci fi effects made by Michael Bay, add in some really weird elements of homosexuality, adultery, and kungfu and tadaaaaa.
Do not watch, as the saying goes "if people tell you something looks and smells like poop so many times, you seriously don't need to eat it", so DO NOT WATCH IT.
This movie is absolutely awful, and its awfulness increases as the so called "plot" progresses. JUST KIDDING, there is no plot, even a child can write such a horrendous story. The relations between characters are almost non existing. The movie does not follow the audience's pace at all, for some times the pace is so off that you feel completely cheated to even pay for this movie. Although advertised as a comedy, the only funny thing was how bad the movie is. Although I cannot give examples, imagine a lower school level story line with sci fi effects made by Michael Bay, add in some really weird elements of homosexuality, adultery, and kungfu and tadaaaaa.
Do not watch, as the saying goes "if people tell you something looks and smells like poop so many times, you seriously don't need to eat it", so DO NOT WATCH IT.
"monkeys down the mountain"? ..... well, not far from it
THEgongoozler25 July 2022
Director Chen is prominent in the business in greater China and not a total stranger in Western film buffs circle. He is somewhat like the legendary Tsui Hark of Hong Kong. Both used to have great moments in the early stage of their career but followed up with commercial-oriented lousy stuff, to the point that both critics and audience know there shouldn't be any expectation before watching their new works.
If "preaching too hard (say, 3 or 4 in a scale of 10)" is considered a flaw of a movie, MONK COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN (2015) easily reaches 9 on that scale. What makes it even worse is that such preaching is a weird mixture of Taoism, Buddhism and self-asserting doctrine/mentality of Kung Fu world. Our protagonist, the one who comes down the mountain, is absolutely a Taoism practitioner. Yet this movie title ridiculously calls him a (Buddhism) monk. Would you label a victim of plane crash has died of car accident? Or, describe a dog-walker is having a good time with kitten?
There are too many laughable (not because of the humor) plot, arrangement, performance and dialogue. MCDTM is poorly rendered into something you simply cannot take it seriously. During the long 123 minutes I almost felt like watching a Monty Python flick from 1970s - despite some modern cinematography, choreography and editing.
If "preaching too hard (say, 3 or 4 in a scale of 10)" is considered a flaw of a movie, MONK COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN (2015) easily reaches 9 on that scale. What makes it even worse is that such preaching is a weird mixture of Taoism, Buddhism and self-asserting doctrine/mentality of Kung Fu world. Our protagonist, the one who comes down the mountain, is absolutely a Taoism practitioner. Yet this movie title ridiculously calls him a (Buddhism) monk. Would you label a victim of plane crash has died of car accident? Or, describe a dog-walker is having a good time with kitten?
There are too many laughable (not because of the humor) plot, arrangement, performance and dialogue. MCDTM is poorly rendered into something you simply cannot take it seriously. During the long 123 minutes I almost felt like watching a Monty Python flick from 1970s - despite some modern cinematography, choreography and editing.
It's neither fish nor fowl.
yoggwork19 February 2019
It's neither fish nor fowl. The combination of Conan's aura of death, Brokeback Mountain's friendship and a generation of master's pretense and coercion made this wonderful work possible. What does the first 30 minutes have to do with the rest? Daoist monks go to the monk temple every day to ask for people to be enlightened. You simply have to convert to it.
Easily the best thing I've seen in years
funismyname8 April 2019
This movie is filled with wonderful characters, a compelling journey, and a strong positive message with a point at the end. I was entertained and moved emotionally. Most of the reviews I've added are negative. Why comment unless you're compelled to, right? This should indicate it isn't just a film you'll watch and forget. In a week, I watched this five times. I could watch it five more. It's very much like Pinocchio in the way the hero enters the world knowing nothing and then his mistakes lead to a great adventure. Highly recommended.
Life is the biggest mystery
Mignon0018 September 2017
A benevolent monk is sent to the world of saints and sinners.
While trying to survive, he meets different people with different motives. It's up to him to perceive whom to trust.
Black is sometimes white and white is sometimes black: there's no person completely good or completely bad. Behind the weird circumstances there's always a good reason why someone's on your way.
Anyway, great intro, was really promising. The flow was kinda confusing and sometimes seemed excessive but at the end it made sense.
A heart of a saint will find its way to survive in the world of sinners.
While trying to survive, he meets different people with different motives. It's up to him to perceive whom to trust.
Black is sometimes white and white is sometimes black: there's no person completely good or completely bad. Behind the weird circumstances there's always a good reason why someone's on your way.
Anyway, great intro, was really promising. The flow was kinda confusing and sometimes seemed excessive but at the end it made sense.
A heart of a saint will find its way to survive in the world of sinners.
Imagination
eyeintrees26 August 2017
Heck, I read all the reviews and thought I really needed to see this one.
Everyone waiting for a typical Kung Fu movie isn't going to get one. If that's what you want, go home.
However, if you think Kung Fu + Fairytale + The Matrix sounds good, this is one for you.
In almost each review all I read was whiny, whingey, unimaginative dross. Lighten up folks, indulge in that wonderful whimsy called imagination and you might come to truly love and appreciate superlative brilliance for a change, instead of the usual crap that comes of movie theatres.
One thing that even the unimaginative will enjoy is the incredible beauty and the stunning cinematography.
Totally captivating. Even ape strike, which I think I actually understood!
Everyone waiting for a typical Kung Fu movie isn't going to get one. If that's what you want, go home.
However, if you think Kung Fu + Fairytale + The Matrix sounds good, this is one for you.
In almost each review all I read was whiny, whingey, unimaginative dross. Lighten up folks, indulge in that wonderful whimsy called imagination and you might come to truly love and appreciate superlative brilliance for a change, instead of the usual crap that comes of movie theatres.
One thing that even the unimaginative will enjoy is the incredible beauty and the stunning cinematography.
Totally captivating. Even ape strike, which I think I actually understood!
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