Movie Breakdown: Monkey Man

Pre-Screening Stance:

Monkey Man is being marketed as though it’s a new version of John Wick but something tells me it isn’t going to be anything like that film (or any of its sequels). Either way, I’m in just to cheer on Dev Patel.

Post-Screening Ramble:

As the writer, director, and star, Monkey Man is the Dev Patel show, and what a show it is. The film is centered around Kid (Patel), a fella who earns a bit of cash by throwing fights in a seedy underground ring. He’s also hellbent on avenging his late mother, so when he’s not letting himself get punched in the face, he’s working and scheming his way through a sort of brothel/club/den that’s populated by a bunch of very rich and powerful people, including the guy he’s specifically after.

Clearly, the revenge angle is a pretty standard setup for an action film and you can see how someone might toss out a John Wick comparison, but Monkey Man is far more of its own thing than you may be expecting. There’s no real polish to the movie – it feels low budget and gritty, plus – at two hours – it’s very deliberately paced. Also, in place of a secret society of assassins or something, the film instead uses various aspects of Indian culture for its foundation, which just further allows it to stand on its own. I do think there are some scenes that feel a bit overstuffed (either with flashbacks or unnecessary camera angles), but when everything is working, the film really hums in a way that positions Patel as a director to watch moving forward. Actually, the movie also makes him an action star to watch moving forward because he more than holds his own here.

Monkey Man isn’t quite as digestible as John Wick or the like, but if you dig your action a little headier and with a 90s bend to it, then you should give it a shot. The film hits theaters tomorrow, April 5.

One Last Thought:

At this point in time I’d like to go ahead and firmly cast a vote to see Dev Patel as James Bond. He would absolutely be a great fit.