Monkey Man Movie Review

  

Monkey Man

Synopsis: An Anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother.

Director: Dev Patel

Stars: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash & Vipin Sharma

Runtime: 1 hour 53 mins

Genre: Action thriller

Monkey Man, the directorial debut from Dev Patel (who also co-wrote it) opened to rave reviews in the SXSW festival, last month. Acquiring a theatrical release thanks to producer Jordan Peele who saw it's potential on the big screen (having purchased it from Netflix) under his Monkeypaw Productions banner. Patel originally went to Neil Blomkamp to direct but Blomkamp said that Patel knew every inch of this movie so suggested he direct it himself.

How did he do? Let's break it down...

Story and Plot

Kid (Patel) is eking out a meagre living on the underground fight club scene, getting pounded night after night with nothing but a monkey mask to protect his identity. After suffering this for years he finds a way to infiltrate the city's sinister elite. With his childhood trauma coming to the fore he sets out on a revenge fuelled one-man-army bloody campaign to settle the score from those who took everything from him.  

I am a sucker for revenge movies and I enjoyed the hell out of Monkey Man. If you are going in thinking this is a pure action flick à la John Wick, think again. This movie takes it's time, but never feels slow. Whilst there is action in the first half of the movie it's really more of a drama as Patel nicely fills in the backstory on Kid. So when the violence and action comes in the second half (and boy does it come - see on screen action below) you feel that more invested. The action drives the story forward as you care about the character. 

I was also extremely impressed with how confident Patel is as a director, this movie feels like it is from a seasoned director who is as well versed in human emotion as they are action. I am sure he will be helming many of his own and other future projects. 

Cast

Dev Patel transformed himself for this movie and gives a fantastic performance in the lead role. The movie whilst a showcase for action also gives Patel ample time to show off his acting chops.

Sharlto Copley who has always been an actor who gives "unique" performances, once again turns in a suitably creepy performance as Tiger the ring master of the underground fight club. It's just a shame he had a bit part.

Pitobash as Alfonso, Kid's colleague is funny and provides the comic relief. 

Overall it's a good cast with special mention to Vipin Sharma as Alpha, the one responsible for Kid's transformation midway through the movie.

Sound and Spectacle

What sells the action is the sound. The sound design in Monkey Man is excellent. 

The movie also features good chase sequences, especially the Tuk Tuk chase with the police. 

On screen Action

Dev Patel passionately loves action cinema, but has never been offered the right roles, (he recently said himself) more seen as the comic sidekick or the boffin at HQ than in the title role. He transformed himself for this movie and it's hard to think it's the same actor as David Copperfield, Slumdog and Marigold Hotel.

He began training in Taekwondo when he was 10 years old. He earned a 1st dan black belt in March 2006 at the age of 16. 

Patel's dedication to this movie was Cruise level. He suffered a number of injuries during the filming of the movie which included a broken hand (after the first fight), two broken toes, a torn shoulder, and an eye infection.

The action in this movie is brutal, violent and bloody but never gory. Not holding back though from an 18 rating, Patel went for it with every scene, refusing to tone it down for a 15. The fighting style is similar to John Wick (which gets a reference early on) or Jason Bourne etc... but also has its own unique take. My favourite scene in the movie is the kitchen take down scene. 

The action is also superbly shot, you really feel you are there as the fights, which feel gritty, natural and organic rather than choreographed play out on screen. 

Music and Score

Jed Kurzel's score nicely weaves in and out which is supported with a great selection of needle drops as the chosen song acts as an allegory for what is unfolding on screen.

A supremely confident directorial debut from Patel & equally impressive action turn on screen. Thanks to the movie taking it's time the revenge when served is bloody brutal and bloody satisfying.  Monkey Man 2 anyone?...

Verdict  - Matched Expectations!