Dev Patel makes his directorial debut with 'Monkey Man' as the protagonist in this remarkable action thriller. The film revolves around an anonymous amateur street fighter with a vengeful spirit at heart who finds an opportunity to take revenge on the corrupt men who took his mother's life.
Although the film follows our fighters, it also draws parallels to the story of Hanuman, the Hindu god who is half-man, half-monkey and pays homage to other gods and aspects of Hinduism. Masu.
Veteran actor Patel shines in the film, conveying the emotions in a way that jumps off the screen. He remains consistent as a motivated character, aided by the performances of Vipin Sharma as Alpha and Pitvash Tripathy as Alfonso, who show his newfound purpose midway through the film.
The film starts slowly, establishing the key players while providing viewers with snippets of an origin story before shifting gears into an action-thriller that captivates both viewers and characters alike. Although the film has breaks in the action, the plot continues through engaging dialogue that sustains anticipation for the next scene.
Rich in action of all types, the film boasts raw and dynamic fight choreography by Brahim Chab. The film depicts the brutality of urban warfare, earning it an R rating for intense and bloody matches that will make you want to bury your head in a popcorn bucket.
The cinematography was as dynamic as the combat. The complexity of the cityscape featured everything from sweeping shots of the skyline to shots of navigating tight corners and long hallways. The film also balanced the first-person perspective of Patel's character.
The perspective made the action feel more realistic, but the constant shifting of the perspective made some action sequences difficult to follow.
The editing gave the film a sense of movement and rhythm with quick cuts and eye-catching visuals, while flashbacks to the protagonist's childhood helped the audience develop a bond with him. The cuts kept the tempo high, but some of the action remained unrecognizable. Pay attention to the sound design, combining various effects and filters to create a sense of tension that's palpable even from your seat.
The score and soundtrack, composed by Jed Kurzel and supervised by Paymon Muskan, are an integral part of the film, enhancing the on-screen action. Music was used to build contrast while stitching the film together, whether it was upbeat Hindi songs during battles or intense tabla during stoic scenes.
The film has been touted on the internet as “India's John Wick,” but that's not the most accurate description.
Patel plays the film with Indian culture from start to finish, with only one subtle hint at the similar ending shot of “John Wick.” He doesn't shy away from the realities of the country, from corruption and religious differences to social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights.
Patel's directorial debut lived up to all expectations and then some. With the help of producer Jordan Peele, the film was visually shocking in every way imaginable. Not only is the film beautiful, but Patel shines both in front of and behind the camera, putting together a great script and padding it with some of the best fight scenes in recent memory.
