Monkey Man marks the directorial debut of Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame. Patel not only directed, but he also starred, co-wrote, and co-produced it with Jordan Peele. If this is what Patel’s debut is like, then I say he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Here is an action movie that, despite a stalled beginning, unloads all its fury with a superlative dynamism. Watching these action sequences is chaotically balletic, and Patel’s touch zips through with bloody panache.
Patel stars as Kid who witnesses the murder of his mother at the hands of a guru as a child. His mother instills in him a love of the Hindu god Lord Hanuman whom Kid follows his philosophy.
When Kid grows up, he’s a fighter who goes by the name of Monkey Man because he wears a monkey mask while fighting. Kid is able to gain the trust of some shady individuals who might have connections to the guru in order to get closer to exacting his revenge.
The movie doesn’t provide wall-to-wall action for part of its first act, but when it kicks into a higher gear, the screen is loaded with some stunning, albeit, gory images. There’s a fight in a bathroom in a nightclub that would feel right at home in a John Wick movie.
Monkey Man will certainly please its target audience on the level of the action. The way Patel utilizes style, technique and craftsmanship to execute the action is borderline intoxicating. The action proceeds at a breakneck pace. It’s never cut in a way that doesn’t make sense. The editing is also a thing of beauty as it never allows any kind of distracting footage in between.
Patel’s debut is exhilarating. It has elements of John Wick (the movie even gives a not-so-subtle reference when Kid purchases a gun) and Kill Bill with its explosive bloodshed.
Its look and energy are very effective. When the movie senses it might be losing us with its flashbacks or dialogue, the action comes sweeping in at the right moments.
When January 2025 comes, I hope to have a spot on my top 10 best list for Monkey Man.
Grade: A-
(Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug use.)
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