Skip to main content

Monkey Man (2024)

 

Monkey Man is a John Wick-style movie set in India with revenge and political overtones.

Story by, directed, and starring Dev Patel, the movie has an identity issue that seems intentional. There's a line in the film where a gun dealer says "You like John Wick?" hinting at how the movie is marketed towards that audience. Dev Patel has the look of someone who could pull off a John Wick-style movie too the problem is that the movie is a bait and switch.

Any Wick movie will need a good fight choreographer. Brahim Chab does his best as many of his prior times as a fight choreographer have been in no-name Thai or B movies. There isn't much of a story done through the fighting and there are too many cuts and odd camera angles.

The film has a particular producer, there are 23 in total which take that for what you will, but the particular producer is Jordan Peele. His name alone got me even more excited for the film as I've enjoyed Patel in most things and Peele has a few good movies. This film feels nothing like something he has made in the past, there is no stamp where I would say 'Peele must have helped with that scene.'

I wrote earlier that the film is a bait and switch. The trailer makes you feel like you're going to get a John Wick-style movie but really the film is about a man who seeks revenge, but to accomplish this he must get the help of transgenders to turn him into a martial artist seemingly overnight. His abilities don't come from hard work but supernaturally from his religion. I felt disappointed and the action was mid. Result: D+

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obsession (2026)

Obsession is written and directed by Curry Barker , marking the first film of his that I have seen, and it leaves a strong impression. The film builds tension through character-driven horror rather than relying entirely on jump scares or spectacle. It understands how to create discomfort and maintain suspense, allowing scenes to breathe long enough for the unease to settle in. The horror feels confident and focused, delivering some of the strongest scares/scenes since Weapons last year . One scene in particular, the car, was so full of dread that the payoff was so very earned. Michael Johnston plays the timid central character and does an excellent job selling the vulnerability and awkwardness the role requires. His performance feels believable throughout, making it easy to invest in his fear and growing desperation as the situation escalates. Johnston carries much of the emotional side of the film and helps ground the more intense horror elements. Inde Navarrette , known for S...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mortal Kombat II (2026)

Mortal Kombat II is directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater , known for Fant4stic , which understandably does not inspire much confidence at first glance. Thankfully, the writing here is a major improvement, delivering a story that is more focused and far more entertaining than the first film. The sequel embraces the chaos and personality of the franchise more confidently, balancing action, humor, and fan service better than its predecessor. While the film still stumbles in places, it feels like a genuine step forward. Karl Urban , known for The Boys and Dredd , easily carries the film as Johnny Cage. His storyline is the strongest in the movie, largely because Urban knows exactly how to play the role with the right mix of arrogance, humor, and charm. He gives the film energy whenever it slows down and feels completely comfortable in the over-the-top world. Adeline Rudolph , known for Hellboy: The Crooked Man  and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , plays Kitana, t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exit 8 (2026)

Exit 8 is directed by Genki Kawamura , who is best known as the producer of Your Name. , though his work as a director may be less familiar. The film leans into a minimalist premise, building tension through repetition and unease rather than large set pieces. It succeeds in creating an atmosphere that keeps you alert, with a structure that slowly reveals its rules and stakes. While the story ultimately comes together in a satisfying way, the journey there can feel a bit too restrained to stay consistently engaging. Kazunari Ninomiya , known for Gantz and Letters from Iwo Jima , carries much of the film on his own. His performance fits the tone well, grounded and reactive in a way that matches the film’s quiet tension. He does a solid job making small moments feel important, though the script doesn’t always give him enough variety to fully showcase his range. Still, he keeps the film watchable even when the pacing slows. Overall, Exit 8 is a well-constructed film that nails its ten...
Post a Comment
Read more