Hi guys! Today I would like to share my thoughts about “Monkey Man,” the first movie directed by Dev Patel.
To tell you the truth, I was very much looking forward to seeing it because of Patel’s acting skills that have always appealed to me. But did his transition into direction impress me?
Let’s see.
Firstly, I must appreciate Dev Patel for his multiple roles in this film. This is besides his directing duties, as he also acted in the movie and produced it while he was also involved in writing the story.
Talk about versatility!
Now, it is a story whose main character only goes by Kid and who is a fighter down under with some scores to settle with past guilt that calls forth myth of Hindu god Hanuman as revenge strategy.
At the moment, “Monkey Man” wrapped up production approximately three years ago; nonetheless, Jordan Peele’s involvement significantly raised it and secured a theatrical release. At first, it was supposed to be streamed on Netflix but things changed and here we are talking about it. The hype around this film made me feel excited.
But let me tell you something: occasionally, all these talks can make your hopes too big. And I should say that “Monkey Man” did not really resonate with me.
Don’t get me wrong, it is not bad in any way but rather like when you want a juicy burger but end up having an okay cheese burger.
Isn’t mind-blowing kind of food though good?
There’s some serious talent in Patel, no doubt about that. It is evident that he has a real interest in the craft as a first-time director and one can tell how much of himself he put into the film.
However, we all have to start somewhere don’t we?
On the other hand, there are times when “Monkey Man” begins to get unwieldy. The story feels like it drags on too long and at times I am reminded of this through certain pacing issues.
Yet, there was something about Patel’s performance that stood out. Kid is really brought to life by him portraying a character who is flawed and weak but still wants things to be different. You don’t?
It is nice when an action star is not just another cardboard cut-out of a hero though right? Kid makes mistakes, faces challenges and so forth which make him more identifiable.
Let’s now turn to the action scenes:
I love nothing more than a good old-fashioned bone-crushing, but some of the battles in the “Monkey Man” made me seasick. It was trendy then, but it is a little hackneyed now because of its present day style. I would rather know what happened and not feel like on a rollercoaster.
And please don’t get me started on that monkey mask hell-hole. The imagery is ultra-radical, but there is so much more we could have done with it. More monkeying around, more Patel kicking ass with that mask on. Yet somehow it turned into something missed out on, and this left me disappointed a bit.
In general, the film is not bad and there are scenes that are really good but it is not perfect. Dev Patel has potential as a director and I’m interested in his future work. For now, though, I find myself giving this movie a solid “meh” and hoping for more fire in his next one.
So, what do you think about Monkey Man?
Did you watch it already?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below and let’s discuss it!
Until next time, peace out!