Monkey Man - 💥💥💥

Director: Dev Patel
Writer: Dev Patel, Paul Angunawela and John Collee

Release Date: 5th April 2024
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥

Synopsis: The Story of an unnamed protagonist, ‘Kid’ (Dev Patel), whose whole life is destroyed when a ruthless guru, Baba Shakti (Makarand Deshpande), sends corrupt forces to acquire the village where his family lives. Years later, Kid earns a living as a masked underground fighter in the city, harbouring plans to exact revenge on Baba and his accomplice, the police chief Rana Singh (Sikandar Kher). With each job he takes, he hopes to get closer to the cult guru who took his family away from him. 

Review: Dev Patel's bold directorial debut is a gritty retribution story that occasionally gets bogged down by its frantic pacing. Monkey Man showcases dynamic action sequences reminiscent of Gareth Evans’ films but, while the first act moves swiftly, establishing Kid’s tragic backstory and thirst for vengeance, the middle section drags with overdrawn training montages. However, Patel shines as both director and actor, physically embodying the themes of desperation and retribution with enthusiastic grit. His dedication to the role is palpable in every intense fight sequence. The film excels in its use of music, too, particularly in a frenetic club fight scene set to the pumping bass of Swedish House Mafia's 'Redlight'. Although the uneven pacing is a flaw, Patel's passion for showcasing an often-overlooked cultural canon is undeniable, as Monkey Man's vibrant setting and exploration of marginalised communities adds depth to an otherwise familiar revenge narrative. The result is a a promising debut from the filmmaker.

 

Image: YouTube