Monkey Man
Plot
Monkey Man is a gripping film that delves into the dark and untamed world of underground fight clubs, where an anonymous young man, Kid, is forced to endure the harsh realities of violence and exploitation. Clad in a tattered gorilla mask, Kid has learned to suppress his emotional pain, using his intellect and cunning to survive in a cycle of beatings and takings. Every day is a constant struggle, but beneath the surface, a cauldron of retribution has been simmering, festering with every brutal assault. The audience is introduced to the desolate, dingy world of this underground fight club, a community of lonely, desperate souls, existing on the fringes of society. These individuals have been abandoned by their families, friends, and by life itself. For them, this underground world is their only refuge, providing a place to escape the trauma and pains that haunt their daily lives. However, beneath this dark veil lies a world of exploitation, with more senior and established fighters preying on the vulnerable, fueling their lifestyles with easy cash. The fight club itself is a reflection of a social hierarchy where those who are beneath them can be manipulated and bullied. The fighters with dominance over others uphold a hierarchy of social order by beating down anyone they deem unworthy, either due to fitness, financial circumstances, and if they are small in stature, in skills and size. What seems like an end in itself for those who participate in such realms creates a toxic cycle which consumes many lives. Behind this gruesome façade lies Kid, who may have existed to fulfill their sole purpose – survive. Clad in that gorilla mask to safeguard their anonymity in this gloomy world. He makes just enough to hold onto life, to keep at bay his very real fears. However, beneath the surface, a painful past festers. As we delve into the narratives provided by this struggling individual, it becomes clear that a deeper narrative lies beneath the bruised, battered facade that Kid wears like an armor.
Reviews
Willow
LOL! Using fireworks as weapons is just insane! 😂 This movie is wild!
Isabella
Dave Patel writes, directs, and stars in this blend of Hollywood and Bollywood, seasoned with the legend of Hanuman, the Indian monkey god. The camerawork feels like an Indian "Bourne Identity", the plot echoes "Kill Bill", and the action resembles an Indian "John Wick". It has everything, except a real surprise. Patel's body fat percentage, though, I'm genuinely jealous of...
Molly
Dave Patel's "Monkey Man" is indeed like "John Wick." I actually think his action scenes are even better than Keanu Reeves'. He's younger, in better shape, all muscle, and has unlimited potential. The last half hour of action is just awesome. The story is very much like a Chinese Wuxia film, where a young man, after being injured, is saved by a reclusive monk in a temple who imparts unparalleled martial arts skills. When the young man returns to the world, he's become the best fighter.
Sadie
The excessive use of close-ups, subjective shots, and shaky cam in the action sequences is really off-putting and doesn't help the storytelling; it actually hinders it. I just can't get into this style. The protagonist's revenge plot is decent enough, and the gritty atmosphere of India is well-conveyed. The film is predominantly set at night, and the lighting is meticulous, with intricate set designs. I beg the director to use more medium and long shots so the audience can actually see the scenes clearly. This movie just gave me a headache.
Julian
The relatively young director and action performer ensures the film's toughness and watchability as a pure genre piece (in simpler terms, he's younger and more energetic than Reeves, Cruise, and others). However, there's still too much unnecessary dialogue. If we're really comparing it to the John Wick series, the problem might be the excessive information dump. Given that the final product is an R-rated action film, it would have been better to reduce the narrative elements, which could have at least helped balance the action and dialogue sequences. On the other hand, the pacing within individual action scenes is well-done, and while there aren't any truly innovative moves, it's engaging enough to avoid feeling repetitive.
Recommendations
