Mark Kermode reviews Monkey Man - Kermode and Mayo's Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews

An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

[barnabyrow]

"The thing I liked about it, apart from everything" is such a good turn of phrase

[phantomthread]

I just loved him on skins and this looks like a film he wanted to make cos no one would do something like this much less cast him in it.

[kierandoherty]

"...this guy playing the am surprised Kermode (also a musician and normally a stickler for nuanced detail) in one of the film's undoubted highlights, failed to reference Zakir Hussain, arguably the greatest TABLA player of all time.

[KalJ]

It's fantastic. You can really see Dev Patel's influences, especially from Indonesian martial art cinema. Really brutal finale that just keeps escalating.
Loved it.

[lucasratigan]

just came from seeing this on opening night... Mid-size crowd - granted it was a Thursday - but there were consistently excited, audible reactions from the audience throughout. Any good things you've heard about this film (trust me) it completely exceeds them!! can't wait for dev's next projects

[tgyygg]

I think the camera represented his personality at the time as he didn’t know what he wanted and was disorientated in his head and made us feel that way because if you noticed. Once he finds himself after being shot the camera gets a lot more stand still

[michaelmackay]

Dev Patel showed the capacity to blend character work and action in Hotel Mumbai and The Wedding Guest. He is one of those few actors who is always a pleasure to watch.

[MBeeching]

Sounds like this one's going straight to the top of my watch list.

[idle_hands]

Everything about this just seems excellent... This is the sort of movie we hope for each year... Can't wait to see it...!

[AlastairTown]

Just watched Monkey Man, if that is how Dev starts a Directing career I cannot wait to see where he goes. Dev's portrayal had pathos, anger, love all portrayed with understated facial expressions. I think Simon referred to Dev as the new James Bond. I certainly think he could easily carry it off. The only criticism I had is regarding the sound mix (a common problem with current films). Not enough clarity in voices. I want to hear what the actors are saying not muddy dialogue. One of our group thought it could have been 15 minutes shorter, where as I felt it's running time and pacing was fine. Quite Art House at times, which I also liked. Lastly it is worthy of the 18 certificate. It's like John Wick on acid.

[jasonw]

Seats booked for this evening, looking forward to it a lot.

[benrennie]

Having seen an advance screening of this a few nights ago I simply cannot picture anyone other than Dev Patel being the next Bond. He’s an absolute superstar and with a Directing credit to boot now, can you imagine how far he could push the Bond franchise in terms of creativity?

[cameronvince]

Excellent film - great work by Dev. Very mesmeric, striking imagery, brilliant commentary and world building

[neilhutchinson]

I was pretty much sold on Monkey Man from the trailer, but this review has sealed the deal.

[NocuousPenguin]

From the trailer I got an Ong-Bak and John Wick vibe, looks interesting

[myvideosareallmyown]

It's definitely one of the great modern action films, and one of the greater films of 2024. I really loved this so much, and Dev Patel was incredible, as cast member, writer, and director!

[davidrobinson]

A quick mention for Dev Patel's performance in Chappie. A great film.

[joshuawiljanen]

My wife absolutely despises action movies yet this is the first movie she has ever suggested we go see. I think it might have something to do with that kid from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel...

[ThomasJoe..]

Sounds very similar to Man On Fire (Denzel/Tony Scott) takes a good hour or so to get you invested into the characters and then after an hour or so all hell breaks loose. This is the right way to get the audience involved into the story.

[CarletonRutter]

This week's poster quote "The thing I liked about it apart from everything" - Mark Kermode

Thanks for the review Mark.

Just got out of seeing this movie, a supremely confident directorial debut from Patel & equally impressive action turn on screen. As Mark says, thanks to the movie taking it's time, the revenge when served is bloody brutal and bloody satisfying. Monkey Man 2 anyone?...