John Wick from India?
Practically all the previews promised a frantic action ride not unlike John Wick. However, "Monkey Man" is not just a simple and straightforward Indian clone but a unique work that focuses not only on revenge but also on other significant themes such as social inequality.
Social inequality is a very sensitive topic on the Indian subcontinent. Even though the film only scratches the surface of this issue, Dave Patel still deserves a thumbs up for daring to at least hint at this problem in his film.
An Honest Action Thriller
"Monkey Man" is not a social drama but primarily an honest action thriller. The lead role is played by the director himself, and it must be said that it is a very good choice. Patel clearly didn’t just take selfies at the gym but worked hard on himself. This is why "Monkey Man" features a well-muscled hero whose action scenes are entirely believable.
Unlike John Wick, Patel's character is not a trained killer who can eliminate his opponents in a million ways and always very elegantly. Moreover, "Monkey Man" doesn’t offer as much action as the trailers promised. However, when the action does unfold on the screen, it is very attractive.
The fights are somewhat clumsier and more brutal than in the case of Wick, but this makes them a bit more believable, although still far from reality. Patel's hero is not an unstoppable killing machine but just an amateur with a torn soul who desires only one thing – revenge.
Visually Appealing
Although "Monkey Man" is a low-budget production compared to other action films, the viewer hardly notices. This is greatly contributed to by the quality of the camera work and editing, as well as the setting where the film takes place.
India and its realities appear quite exotic and, above all, attractive in our geographic region. There are not many foreign films, especially action films, shot in India.