For as many movies as there are warning us against taking violent revenge, you’d think America would have more Batmen than Batman Funko Pops. We aren’t a nation of blood feuds, we’re a nation of Family Feud. Anyway, it’s hard to revamp retribution in a way that’s truly fresh, so Monkey Man doesn’t even try. It is a by-the-books blood-fest that won me over at darn-near the last possible moment. I cannot resist a giant brawl in which an army of transgender martial artists squares off against bigoted goons. Am I only human, after all.
Director/star/cowriter Dev Patel doesn’t reinvent the vengeance wheel but does put a monkey mask on it. His essentially nameless character is out to murder a police chief (Sikander Kher) in India who killed his mommy, as well as the underworld-boss-turned-legit-politician (Makrand Deshpande) who orchestrated said killing. Inspired not by the Gorlliaz, Magilla Gorilla, or GloRilla but by the legend of Hanuman, our hero wears an ape mask during illegal fighting contests hosted by Sharlto Copley. He has a character name too, I’m sure. But he is just Sharlto Copley doing Sharlto Copley things. God love him.
God does not love the poor, at least not so far as the events of Monkey Man or any nightly news programs show. The movie has shot after shot of sweaty, huddled masses yearning to be free of the power inherent in the almighty rupee. Working his way from lowly dishwasher to slightly-less-lowly waiter in a VIP club, the titular fighter takes an opening to try for justice, fails, trains in a remote temple inhabited by trans folks forced to flee persecution, and then tries for redemption again.
The first half is semi-laborious, overstuffed with unnecessary artistry and sometimes stomach-churning cinematography. The second half is all punch-punch, stab-stab in a way that’s hard to resist. Patel has genuine charisma and clearly put in the work to make the fighting feel if not truly believable at least “movie believable” That’s the thing where we are willing to accept that Bradley Cooper is likable. More than his acting, Patel’s off-camera work is palpably exciting. There’s something unique and powerful inside the first-time filmmaker, and it is likely to be unleashed when he tackles something meatier than “murder sad, revenge bad.”
The influence of John Wick is so obvious he gets his name fully dropped here. So too are there obvious heists of The Raid and kung fu fables. At one point, Monkey Man does my favorite fight move, which is where he punches someone’s fist before they can swing it. None of the content is terribly original but the trappings are. Watching trans people get to physically fight back after the nonstop attack on their existence in the real world over the last year in particular is uniquely cathartic. I am not likely to ever watch this one again but am 100% in for whatever Patel decides to helm next. I guess I’m not a Monkey Man maniac but am decidedly devoted to Dev.
Grade = B-
Other Critical Voices to Consider
Tina Kakadelis says “Patel shows the reality of poverty and how easy it is to take advantage of someone when you feel you’re being exploited yourself. On the opposite side of that coin, Patel introduces a hidden temple of transgender individuals who nurse Kid, a stranger to them, back to health, despite the abuse they’ve endured. Action still takes precedence, but it’s not empty violence.”
Jenn Adams at Strong Female Antagonist says “It’s a spectacular directorial debut combined with an impressive performance onscreen as well. The veteran actor stuns in a mostly physical role, transmitting sorrow, rage, gratitude, and fear with his soulful eyes while blowing our minds with his powerful fists. It’s a tour-de-force performance on both sides of the camera and an explosive entry into the directorial realm.”
Liz Shannon Miller at Consequence says “There are at least two moments in this movie that feel totally fresh and new to the genre. And given how much has come before, that’s a true accomplishment.”