Slightly too long, but pretty much every other element of <em>'Monkey Man'</em> is more than enough to compensate.
I had a very good time watching what is Dev Patel's directorial debut. He himself is outstanding, having portrayed the role of the titular character perfectly. I had only seen the guy in two films (<em>'Slumdog Millionaire'</em> & <em>'The Last Airbender'</em>) prior to this, so very much happy to see him act further. An excellent job from him on and off screen, I'm happy that he managed to get this made in the end.
As noted, I do think the run time could've been trimmed a l…
Read full review →
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/monkey-man-review-an-imperfect-yet-compelling-directorial-debut-from-dev-patel/
"Monkey Man shows that Dev Patel still has much to learn when it comes to directing and writing, but his unwavering commitment to a culturally and thematically rich story deserves countless praises.
A revenge arc with some pacing issues narrative-wise, but with action sequences loaded with energy and adrenaline, even when chaotically choreographed and shot. Predictably dedicated performance from Patel that avoids some genre formulas while paying homage to so…
Read full review →
Dev Patel has spoken a lot about him not wanting to be "James Bond" but it looks like those stories have inspired quite a bit of this pretty derivative revenge thriller that actually reminded me a bit of his "Hotel Mumbai" (2018) outing too. We know that he ("Kid") routinely dons a monkey mask for some wrestling and he duly gets a pasting - but that this all has purpose. That purpose starts to come together when he manages to organise a subtle sting operation on "Queenie" (Ashwini Kalsekar) who runs an high-end gentleman's club. His reward here is a job. In the kitchens, bleaching the toilets …
Read full review →
This movie is a boring John Wick wannabe (they literally mention John Wick in the movie). The action sucks, the cinematography is nauseating, the story is boring. There's nothing good about this movie. I'm convinced the high reviews are probably from Indians, as they like to rate shit movies highly. If you're not Indian, don't waste your time on this crap.
Read full review →
There's a recurrent metaphor throughout the film, of Hanuman trying to eat the sun leaping towards it Icarus-like and being stopped by the gods eventually. Maybe Dev Patel was aware of how well this metaphor would encapsulate his brave directorial debut too, all throughout the film he's trying to reach the narrative he wants to tell but he eventually pulls his own punches. Only if he knew his film would eventually not release in Indian theaters at all, howmuchever he restrains himself.
Don't get me wrong, this is a highly enjoyable film. But the commentary on the current Indian society and …
Read full review →
When I saw the trailer for Monkey Man, I was unsure of what to expect. It seemed like a standard revenge tale with a horror twist. However, what I got was one of my favorite films of the year. Dev Patel shines not only in his acting but also in his directing. This film is much more than another John Wick type of movie; it delves into deep themes and presents a complex narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Initially, the trailer gave the impression of a conventional revenge story with some horror elements. However, the film exceeds these expectations by offering a richer, more nuanced narrati…
Read full review →
Fans of elevated revenge action films are going to be flat-out dazzled by “Monkey Man,” the directorial debut of Dev Patel (who also co-wrote and stars as the titular character). Many actors are unsuccessful when attempting to make the transition from in front of the camera to behind it, but Patel has the talent to back it up tenfold. This story of vengeance is done so well that I have very few criticisms. It exceeds expectations in all respects.
The anonymous Kid (Patel) makes a living by sparring for cash in a seedy underground fight club. His gimmick includes wearing a gorilla mask and a…
Read full review →
Cool but somewhat sloppy, like the first half of this story doesn't need to happen. I'd have liked to see more of Monkey's journey to the city, or his establishment as kind slum overlord. More adventure than scenes of him getting beat up. How'd he build up to such an elaborate purse snatching? Seems more lucrative than his night job. Rigged, zero-stakes fights of our guy wearing a mask. I suppose it couldn't have been called Monkey Man without.
Engaging look into a side of India that seems to be ignored by many films. I liked the grit. Kept me engaged. Good scenes, unbelievable story elemen…
Read full review →
an amazingly impressive directorial debut from Dev Patel that blends inspired action sequences, Hindu folklore and a political message of corrupt government officials, with a very well written and emotional script
Read full review →
Monkey Man might be thematically Incoherent, but it's action is just so insane and grimey that you can't help but enjoy the killer debut.
There is clear potential in Dev Patel's direction, he utilizes dynamic and powerful camera work without sacrificing too much clarity, and instills beauty and warmth besides all the rage, violence, and savage brutality of his fights. I also like how clear the character development is shown throughout this movie, by using both cinematography and choreography to showcase his growth from sloppy, anxious, and erratic kid to fast, slick, and stylish fighter.
…
Read full review →
