Monkey Man: A Breathless Blast of Violent Entertainment

A One Mann’s Movies review of “Monkey Man” (2024).

I was late to the game in getting to watch this one, but was so glad I did. It’s a breathless blast of violent entertainment from beginning to end.

Bob the Movie Man Rating:

Plot Summary:

A young man (Dev Patel), with traumatic childhood memories, has revenge in mind as he takes on the political organisation behind the death of his mother and ongoing persecutions. .

Certification:

UK: 18; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong bloody violence”.)

Talent:

Starring: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sikandar Kher, Makrand Deshpande, Ashwini Kalsekar.

Directed by: Dev Patel.

Written by: Dev Patel, Paul Angunawela & John Collee.

Twitter Handle: #monkeymanmovie.

Running Time: 2h 1m.

The name’s Bond, James Bond. Dev Patel makes the grade of “Action Hero”. (Source: Universal Pictures).

“Monkey Man” Review:

Positives:

It’s extraordinary that this is Dev Patel’s directorial debut, because the film is chock full of scenes that make you go “Wow – THIS is cinema!!” Which is surprising. On paper, it’s just A.N.Other revenge movie: an Indian-set John Wick but without the dog. But on screen it morphs into something so much more. Aside from the beautifully choreographed fight scenes (one in a lift and another in a kitchen stand-out) the film takes time to breath between the chaotic action. As our hero in a Tuk-tuk roars down an alley at 100 mph the camera lingers on a homeless pair sleeping on the ground and briefly stirred from sleep. And it’s not afraid to make fun of its subject matter: as ‘kid’ runs down a corridor to jump through a window (same old, same old) he is met by unexpected resistance, leaving a blood stain on the glass and a crumpled heap on the floor!
Dev Patel? An action hero? I must admit that I was a bit baffled going into this, but the guy has got himself ripped for the part and really delivers. I’ve seen comments that he should be offered the part of Bond – – and I can’t disagree… he would be superb! Amazingly, Patel badly fractured a hand during filming, so that amazing kitchen fight scene was re-choreographed to be done by him one-handed!
For me, this was better than John Wick. I’m not a Wick-expert, having only seen the last one, but my main criticism of John Wick: Chapter 4 was that it was all just so unrealistic. At least in Monkey Man, although the action is far-fetched, it stays just the right side of believable: the ‘kid’ hurts… and bleeds… and has to find sanctuary to repair his broken body. At one point, about 20 heavily armed thugs enter the room and I thought “uh oh, now its going to get ludicrous”. But no! There is a twist, and that made me so, so, happy! The film cheekily references John Wick: at one point, a gun salesman comments “You like John Wick? I have the same gun from the movie!”.

Negatives:

The only criticism is that this type of revenge movie is a very well-worn genre.

An innovative way to dispatch your enemy. Dev Patel gets his teeth into the action. (Source: Universal Pictures).

Summary Thoughts on “Monkey Man”

I’ve seen two films in the last week that have completely exceeded my expectations (the other being “Challengers“). Monkey Man is a cracking little action film, full of wit and surprises. Dev Patel should be very proud of himself for this offering.