I so enjoy a good vengeance movie, and I loved almost everything Dev Patel did in this one. His passion and creativity are impressive and admirable, and I hope he is so proud of this vision brought to life! It always excites me to see just one fresh or unique element I have not seen in a movie before, but Monkey Man had nearly a dozen moments like this! I had my cringe face on for much of it bc OUCH! It was wonderfully brutal! My only complaint is a very small one, and an honest question: Why did his character in the movie make a point to bleach his mask before looking for his final fight...and then just...take it off right as it started..? I wonder if some scenes with the mask were cut bc the idea just seemed a bit randomly abandoned. I hope a later rewatch will bring me better understanding! Also, if you are someone who needs subtitles due to hearing loss or processing delays, you may want to look for subtitled screenings OR watch via streaming if/when the option is available to you. I missed some details due to my own difficulties (some accents can be a challenge), but it was still more clear to me than the average Christopher Nolan film (not to compare the content at all). Overall, I had so much fun watching, and I will be thrilled to see more from Dev Patel in the future, no matter the genre!
In "Monkey Man," we're taken on a journey through the complex tapestry of contemporary India, where the film dives deep into the harsh realities of poverty, inequality, and societal divisions.
What struck me most was how the movie vividly captured the essence of life in India, from its vibrant energy to the struggles faced by the different societal classes. Scenes of families sleeping on pavements and working children painted a stark picture of the everyday challenges millions of Indians endure. While the protagonist's journey doesn't explicitly focus on the hardships of the less privileged, he understands and provides a poignant commentary on Indian society's harsh truths.
Alphonso: But your living the life bro
Alphonso: we are rolling with the kings now, huh
Kid: they don't even see us
Kid: they are all up there living, and we are stuck here in this
Kid: that's no life bro
Alphonso: So what are you gonna do about this huh, monkey man
The film's authenticity and attention to detail are commendable. The filmmakers succeed in creating a world that feels lived-in and genuine, from the bustling streets to the cramped living spaces, capturing the essence of urban India.
I found the portrayal of the politician and his endorsement by Baba to be particularly insightful. It reflects a common phenomenon not only in India but also in other countries like Sri Lanka. The film's exploration of blind allegiance to leaders without critical thought serves as a stark reminder for individuals to think independently and avoid becoming mere followers.
Moreover, the film subtly reminds us of a universal truth: regardless of our backgrounds or social statuses, we all face struggles, especially when confronted with mortality. This observation resonates deeply, transcending societal divides and highlighting our shared humanity.
It's a bit tricky for me to rate this film. The first half of the film gives a kind of slow burn vibe, as it leaves you to try to put the pieces together. For the entirety of the first half, I kept feeling like I was missing something in terms of knowing what was going on, but it kept teasing the main character's reasoning and goals. It lets you get frustrated as he keeps getting beaten down while he's trying to rise up. I had a bit of a hard time finding a reason to care for what was going on, but it could have been as simple as me just not getting a grasp of the emotions Dev Patel was trying to convey, which drove the main character's goals. It only really hit me in the second half as he is at his lowest point, and we get that full picture of the kid's backstory. Here, we get to see the resurrection part of the hero's journey and things start gaining momentum very quickly. In the second half, things are moving much faster, with epic fight scenes reminiscent of John Wick, but with quite a spicy twist. I loved it. We reach the main character's apotheosis as he climbs back up very quickly. The swift succession of the Kids journey back up in the second hand had really drawn me back in.
This is why it's a bit tricky for me to rate it. The first half was losing me, but the second half drawn me right back in. by the end of the third quarter, I was completely locked into the character's goals and rooted for him every step of the way. I just wish I had that kind of feeling throughout the entire film. It was an interesting choice to make that feeling of connection so late in the film. Maybe I just missed something at the start, but i only really felt that visceral feeling after the whole put together village scene.
Other than that, the cinematography was fine. I want to say it was phenomenal throughout the film, but I have a pretty large distaste for the handheld shaky cam. during some of the action scenes, it felt very well fitting, but other times, it had me kind of having to really concentrate to figure out what was going on and who is doing what.
What they did with the colors was great though. I absolutely adored their use of lighting and colors throughout the film. I have no complaints about that, I am a complete sucker for interesting uses of colors in a piece of media.
TL;DR:
The film starts slow, left me puzzled and frustrated as the main character struggles, making it hard to connect with the story. The second half picks up with an emotional backstory reveal and thrilling action scenes reminiscent of John Wick, pulled me back in and made me root for the main character. While the handheld shaky cam during action scenes can be disorienting, the use of lighting and colors is excellent. Overall, the second half redeems the slow start, but it would have been better to feel connected throughout the entire film.
Stop feeding that dog. Its gonna keep coming back expecting more. It just gives her hope.
Far from a simple debut for Dev Patel, this movie will be on my memory for a long time. This is a breath of fresh air over the so beaten up action movie genre. Here you will not find a bulked bulky manly male, capable of fighting an army without a single scratch. Instead, you will find a sensitive, hurt, sad man, who can see the grand scheme of things, but fails to understand his own role in the whole mess, so he simply STFU and moves on with the roles that life will present to him, while dreaming of some day achieving his goals (much like every ordinary man nowadays, if you ask me: hurt, lost, unable to deal with his feelings, raging war against shadows because of that).
It is impossible not to see some influences, especially John Wick as many have pointed out. But it stops at that: influence (mostly in regards of the fighting scenes and some visuals) and that is it. Although the movie may seem "formulaic" at first, give it a second thought, pay closer attention to the details and the background. The story being told here is much deeper than a simple "revenge movie" as it may seem on the surface.
The opening quotation above is one of the most interesting scenes I have seen here. So much is told with so little, there is a lot of subtext in such a small, simple scene. Up to this scene, it is almost impossible to say if Monkey Man was looking at the woman or his nemesis, romanticaly interested or studying his next move. The second time the Monkey Man goes into the penthouse and sees the same woman with the policeman, a very known music starts playing in the background: Roxanne by, not ironically, The Police. Although the song depicts a man who falls in love with a prostitute and wants to "save" her from this life, later we see that the Monkey Man has a much greater goal than just simply "save the girl" or "avenge his mother".
When he gets to the temple, he meets Alpha, his savior (who, pay attention, is "male and female; neither and both" - "Alpha", commonly associated with the most masculine attributes in the '4chan redpill groups', here is a transgender woman). Alpha then leads the Monkey to "remember who you are". Later, the Monkey returns her the favor after giving them the money to save the temple (a note reading "Time to remember who YOU are"). This is what will lead to the hijras in assisting the Monkey at the end: "We [the hijras] were warriors before they drove us here", told him Alpha, and after remembering that, the hijras took arms and helped him with his plot. When the prostitute also comes to his aid, he barely looks into her eyes, not because he doesn't feel anything, but because he cannot stop a bigger plan because of a romantic interest. Also, when confronting Shakti, the Monkey only asks two questions: "Do you even know my mother's name? Do you know any of their names?". It may all have started because of his mother, but his goals were political, rather than simple revenge.
Yes, the movie is filled with political analysis and criticism, and heavy doses of social commentary, all boiled up the ultimate level: the personal level. And that is the point of the movie. Politics IS personal. Society IS personal. Both affect our lives from macro to micro cosmos, so the macro should also be affected by the micro cosmos, even if a single man needs to start a revolution. But above all, the movie is a kick in already hurt manhoods out there: the silent type is not strong alone, and can only achieve his goals with the aid of women, be them cis or trans. Deal with that, macho.
All your life you have been fighting to feel pain. You need to fight for a purpose. Fight... for all of us.
In "Monkey Man," we're taken on a journey through the complex tapestry of contemporary India, where the film dives deep into the harsh realities of poverty, inequality, and societal divisions.
What struck me most was how the movie vividly captured the essence of life in India, from its vibrant energy to the struggles faced by the different societal classes. Scenes of families sleeping on pavements and working children painted a stark picture of the everyday challenges millions of Indians endure. While the protagonist's journey doesn't explicitly focus on the hardships of the less privileged, he understands and provides a poignant commentary on Indian society's harsh truths.
Alphonso: But your living the life bro
Alphonso: we are rolling with the kings now, huh
Kid: they don't even see us
Kid: they are all up there living, and we are stuck here in this
Kid: that's no life bro
Alphonso: So what are you gonna do about this huh, monkey man
The film's authenticity and attention to detail are commendable. The filmmakers succeed in creating a world that feels lived-in and genuine, from the bustling streets to the cramped living spaces, capturing the essence of urban India.
I found the portrayal of the politician and his endorsement by Baba to be particularly insightful. It reflects a common phenomenon not only in India but also in other countries like Sri Lanka. The film's exploration of blind allegiance to leaders without critical thought serves as a stark reminder for individuals to think independently and avoid becoming mere followers.
Moreover, the film subtly reminds us of a universal truth: regardless of our backgrounds or social statuses, we all face struggles, especially when confronted with mortality. This observation resonates deeply, transcending societal divides and highlighting our shared humanity.
In "Monkey Man," we're taken on a journey through the complex tapestry of contemporary India, where the film dives deep into the harsh realities of poverty, inequality, and societal divisions.
What struck me most was how the movie vividly captured the essence of life in India, from its vibrant energy to the struggles faced by the different societal classes. Scenes of families sleeping on pavements and working children painted a stark picture of the everyday challenges millions of Indians endure. While the protagonist's journey doesn't explicitly focus on the hardships of the less privileged, he understands and provides a poignant commentary on Indian society's harsh truths.
Alphonso: But your living the life bro
Alphonso: we are rolling with the kings now, huh
Kid: they don't even see us
Kid: they are all up there living, and we are stuck here in this
Kid: that's no life bro
Alphonso: So what are you gonna do about this huh, monkey man
The film's authenticity and attention to detail are commendable. The filmmakers succeed in creating a world that feels lived-in and genuine, from the bustling streets to the cramped living spaces, capturing the essence of urban India.
I found the portrayal of the politician and his endorsement by Baba to be particularly insightful. It reflects a common phenomenon not only in India but also in other countries like Sri Lanka. The film's exploration of blind allegiance to leaders without critical thought serves as a stark reminder for individuals to think independently and avoid becoming mere followers.
Moreover, the film subtly reminds us of a universal truth: regardless of our backgrounds or social statuses, we all face struggles, especially when confronted with mortality. This observation resonates deeply, transcending societal divides and highlighting our shared humanity.
It improves on the John Wick formula by taking itself way less seriously and not blue balling the viewer with too much schlocky worldbuilding. Patel’s directing is quite solid; I like how much of the character development is done visually, the visuals are always brewing with atmosphere and the final set piece is great. As a performer, I was completely sold on the physicality of it. He’s not afraid to turn the violence up to something that resembles The Raid, which I very much appreciate. Honestly I think you could have something great here if Patel overhauls his editing style next time around, because that aspect kneecaps this entire film for me. It’s like he wants to do something wild and bold, but overshoots in the process. Some of the early chase scenes are extremely overedited (the constant jump cuts and shaky cam don’t exactly help either), the pace loses all momentum during the boring second act, it’s got too many montages and flashbacks, he inserts real life footage to imply a layer of depth it never earns, the music choices are sometimes off; it’s a lot of bad choices piling onto each other. I also couldn’t really get into the villain, every time we cut back to that character we’re reminded of him being corrupt but there’s no real attempt at development. It’s just not a great film by any means, but I’d still love to see a sequel. Pulling a movie like this together as your debut feature is impressive, even with it being unrefined.
5/10
Review by AcoucalanchaVIP 4BlockedParent2024-04-07T17:48:49Z— updated 2024-04-09T01:01:29Z
A commendable directional debut for Dev Patel, I can see the potencial, but Monkey Man is short of "good". It's very much an Indian version of John Wick with a strong inspiration from The Raid movies. Some intense action sequences that deserve praise but I expected a little more considering the aforementioned inspirations. It's short of a few more action sequences for me and the second act was so boring it slowed this down to the point where I wasn't enjoying it anymore. It killed all the tension established in the first act. Thankfully it picked back up in the third act but because the second act was so slow I expected an even bigger payoff in the third act which it didn't quite deliver but... almost.
I applaude the attempt at character development, it's a rare thing in these movies, but I think it should have been more sprinkled throughout the runtime instead of an entire second act. The folklore/cultural stuff was a nice touch but there's too much of it. Too much shaky cam during some fight scenes, it's hard to look at and follow everything that's going on. Very stylish movie all around, memorable visuals, love the neon lighting with the mirrors, intense editing (perhaps too intense) and I digged the musical choices BUT an overdose of that drum instrument. Overall Monkey Man was a decent watch but it's mainly held back by the second act.