DVD Corner

Monkey Man 4K UHD Review

“Monkey Man” never quite lives up to its potential. 

With 2024’s “Monkey Man,” Dev Patel performs quadruple duties here as director, producer, lead actor and co-writer alongside John Collee and Paul Angunawela. The India set revenge fueled story involves Kid- a monkey mask wearing underground fighter who seeks revenge against those responsible for his mother’s death including a corrupt police chief named Rana, a crooked spiritual leader named Baba Shakti and anyone else who gets in his way. In order to locate and get close to these elite individuals, he poses as a waiter at a crime den, but his plan is foiled. Kid receives help from a temple leader named Alpha who shows him the light in more ways than one to prepare for the battle ahead.

While an admirable directorial debut by Dev Patel to be sure, “Monkey Man” feels more like an amalgam of other films rather than its own cohesive feature film. Patel clearly borrows heavily from the likes of “John Wick” and “Kill Bill” all while attempting to infuse Indian culture into the story. It’s as if the story wants to be more than what it is. Had the writers explored Indian culture and myths more rather than focusing on violent, bloody mayhem and a basic revenge plot, “Monkey Man” may have amounted to more. Instead, the story comes across as tonally awkward and a bit too grim for its own good. 

Where “Monkey Man” really shines is with the intense, fast paced and expertly choreographed action/martial arts sequences. The kitchen battle, the rickshaw chase scene, the bathroom sequence and even the underground fight scenes are supremely well made. Dev Patel went all out in making the action as brutal and exciting as possible and even suffered for his art in the process by breaking numerous bones. That’s dedication.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. Grade: A-

Extras (On The Blu-ray):
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* Alternate opening and alternate ending
* 6 deleted/extended scenes
* Commentary by Dev Patel and producers Jomon Thomas, Sam Sahni and Raghuvir Joshi.
* “Roots Exposed”- Dev Patel and others talk about Indian culture in “Monkey Man.”
* “A Labor Of Love” is all about this being Patel’s passion project.
* “Monkey Man Of Action” covers the action scenes.
* “Fateful Encounters” revolves around the cast and characters. 

June 29, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Action Movie, Dev Patel, Martial arts, Monkey Man 4K UHD Review, Monkey Man Movie