Monkey Man is an action film with a brain, a heart, and two bloody fists.
Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion) directed and stars in this unconventional action flick set in Mumbai, India. Highlighting the culture clash between the mega-rich and those in poverty, Monkey Man takes the post-John Wick action movie template and rearranges it to include surprisingly political and social commentary.
Patel portrays Kid, an underground fighter who wears a monkey mask and lets himself be defeated by more popular fighters. He is employed by Tiger (Sharlto Copley), a merciless promoter who compensates fighters with a paltry amount to lose matches intentionally. The fighters receive a higher payment if they bleed during their fights.
Flashbacks reveal that Kid was raised in a forest village, where he formed a deep bond with his mother. She introduced him to the tale of Hanuman, the half-monkey, half-human Hindu god, who later became a source of inspiration for him. He taps into these childhood memories as fuel for revenge on those who took away his mother and his peaceful village.
The uniqueness of Monkey Man lies in its deep immersion into Indian culture. Although the film doesn’t make one an expert, it does shed light on various contemporary issues plaguing the nation. The dangers of intertwining politics and religion is an issue that transcends borders and cultures anyway.
Dev Patel might not have been on my list of up-and-coming action stars, but he rises to the occasion with his physical prowess and directorial acumen. In his first directorial effort, Patel demonstrates a natural talent for managing complex action sequences. Unlike some seasoned directors who struggle with fight scenes, Patel delivers raw, imaginative, and comprehensible brawls. As for car chases, there’s just one, but it’s a standout, showcasing a turbo-charged rickshaw, no less.
While I have no issue with employing flashbacks to progress the story of Kid’s childhood, the scenes selected by Patel are overly repetitive and too alike to justify their frequent recurrence in the film. Consequently, the movie drags on just a bit too long.
Fans of brain-dead American action flicks may take issue with the political and social opinions presented in the script by Paul Angunawela and John Collee. However, I suspect that these individuals might not actively seek out an action movie featuring Dev Patel. It’s their loss. Monkey Man is an action film with a brain, a heart, and two bloody fists. It’s worth the trip to the theater.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
