The Stream: It takes a while to get to the action and is slow in the beginning.

The Big Screen: Dev Patel proves he can be an exciting action hero and good director.

The Final Bill: An action-packed and thoughtful flick despite its slow start and conventional plot.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Dev Patel
Writers: screenplay by Paul Angunawela and John Collee; story by Dev Patel
Stars: Dev Patel, Pitobas, Sharlto Copley, Sikandar Kher
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: R for strong bloody violence throughout, language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug use.
Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
Production Companies: Universal Pictures, BRON Studios, Lost Winds Entertainment, Lucky Elephant Media, Monkeypaw Productions, Thunder Road Pictures, Minor Realm
Platform: In theaters April 5, 2024
Notable Trailers: Longlegs, Arcadian, The Watchers, The Fall Guy, Abigail, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Hey, Streamers! Monkey Man has as interesting a story about its journey to the theaters as the plot of the movie itself. Apparently, Monkey Man was going to be released on Netflix as just a streaming movie until it was seen and acquired by Jordan Peele, who convinced Universal Pictures to pick the movie up and release it in theaters. I ventured to our local cineplex to catch this action flick as Dev Patel and Jordan Peele intended it be seen – on the big screen. Here’s how much butt this joint kicked. (Spoiler Alert for this review: it is definitely worthy of being seen on a big screen.)

Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel, who also has a “story by” credit. Yes, Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel. Anyway, this movie follows a young man (Dev Patel), who fights in a monkey mask in an underground boxing club, getting beat to a pulp at night for cash while he schemes to get a job in a luxury brothel until he can work his way up the ranks in the seedy organization. There are some flashbacks to the man’s life with his mother and some unease that pulsates through his scheme as he gets closer to those in power at his day job. Eventually, bloody, finger-ripping and butt-kicking hijinks ensue.

When watching Monkey Man, the first thing you will notice is that Dev Patel’s heart and soul is in this movie. He has crafted such a fine-looking film. The cinematography, the production design and even the bold camera movements enhance the story and overall feel of this film. You will see the influences of martial arts movies and the John Wick series. Patel as a director does a great job with this material; and, as a actor, although you might not immediately think of Patel as an action hero, he really proves why he was essential as the lead in this movie. It is brutal at times and mind-blowing, but it is also very visceral and grounded. It looks like Patel could and did get hurt many times over. He is excellent physically and his emotional portrayal is great as well. If you get emotional, it’s okay. I understand why.

My biggest concern with this movie is that it takes a while to get going. The set-up meanders a bit. You’ll wonder where the movie is going and when is the action going to really start. It gets there and it is worth the wait. Additionally, the plot is very conventional. There are flashbacks that are sprinkled throughout that hint at the overall story. It’s pretty obvious from the beginning where it’s going, but that doesn’t really reduce the excitement of the movie.

Ultimately, Monkey Man is an exciting and thoughtful movie from a very good first-time director. Dev Patel brings this story to life with creative flare and a strong, action-packed performance. Although it is slow to get started and the plot is conventional, all of the other aspects around it enhance the movie and make it a worthy big screen experience. Grab your big box of popcorn and head to the theater.