In recent times, the audience is becoming more intelligent. They are advocating for underdogs, and in some cases, the audience knows what constitutes ‘better’ cinema and actually cares about the quality of the content. This time, the USA audience is backing a title such as ‘Monkey Man’.
We’ve discussed enough about Dev Patel’s Lord Hanuman-inspired film, at least we’ve enlightened the perfection that the film manages to pull off. But the audience is setting up comparisons that might make ‘Monkey Man’ a canonical film down the line.
Now, the viewers are comparing it with some of the ‘icons’ of the action film category, something along the lines of ‘John Wick’ and ‘Taxi Driver’.
Let’s dive a bit deeper. On a superficial level, these three films definitely offer something special in the action genre. Especially when talking about offering something new, what ‘Taxi Driver’ did was never achieved before, and Wick’s action choreography is out of this world. And ‘Monkey Man’ just ticks the same boxes.
Talking about the origin of the story, ‘Wick’ and ‘Monkey Man’, though showing contrast at multiple levels, if you remember correctly, we get a plethora of references of John Wick being the Baba Yaga, a mythological figure who protects those who are worthy and associated with wildlife. Loosely like Hanuman?
Even if you talk about ‘Taxi Driver’ having less action and more character development, in the end, fans are treated with a climax of action which is perfectly justified. Though ‘Monkey Man’ has more action, it promises something special. There are definitely some big similarities between Travis Bickle and Dev Patel.
Both of them feel like outcasts from society, which gives them a sense of detachment. Besides these, all three characters seek some form of vengeance, from something bigger and badder than them.
Will these comparisons help to build ‘Monkey Man’s’ popularity?
That is a definite nod, and down the line, this film has all the potential to attain iconic status. Most action films focus too much on one aspect, and if something like ‘Monkey Man’ comes out, fans practically adore films like these. Also, the comparisons do make good advertisements; though campaigns are important, word of mouth is trusted more than anything.
Monkey Man (2024) is a very impressive body of work. One of the best modern action movies, if not part of the top 5. It’s up there with John Wick. Very very good.
— AAdejuyigbe Niiyin (@Niyeaz) April 6, 2024
Saw #MonkeyMan last nite and while I enjoyed it I don’t think the trailer is a good representation of what the film is. If you thought it was John Wick in India, your gonna be disappointed. If you want a heart felt revenge tale with culture and action, it delivers! pic.twitter.com/7XBROFAUtA
— Gold Lynx Media (@Sincere_GLM) April 5, 2024
Do not go into Monkey Man expecting another version of John Wick. Monkey Man is much more of an Art House Film that slow burns to its climactic 3rd Act. My only complaint is the overuse of shaky cam. That said, I need Dev Patel in more action movies. #MonkeyMan pic.twitter.com/Ndlz4w2ifW
— SmellsLikeTeenAngst (@SLTAngst) April 3, 2024
#MonkeyMan is straight up AWESOME! A gritty, intense, & BRUTAL revenge story with so many layers to it. Dev Patel is outstanding & has one of the best directorial debuts I’ve seen in quite some time. Very John Wick & The Raid influenced but has its own voice & culture. Go see it! pic.twitter.com/tFM2NcwMOq
— Doug Jones (@Capri__Son) April 4, 2024
everyone is saying monkey man is dev patel's john wick and it's not not that, but for at least the 1st act it kind of feels like Dev Patel's taxi driver pic.twitter.com/X0qm0DjbTb
— Frog from Chrono Trigger Facts (@Douggernaut_2) April 7, 2024
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