'Monkey Man' review: A brilliant action film that pulls no punches

King Kong was really hit hard by the recession in Hollow Earth. — Photos: UIP Malaysia

Dev Patel’s got something to say, but he’s going to let his fists do the talking. With his directorial debut, the wild action revenge flick Monkey Man, the Oscar-nominated actor makes a bold statement with this one-two punch of a film that asserts himself as both an action star and promising genre director.

Having achieved his fame in more serious dramas like Slumdog Millionaire and Lion, Patel’s passion project Monkey Man is a big swing, and a big swerve for the actor. Luckily, it connects, landing with a satisfyingly bone-crunching intensity. And if the movie is intended as Patel’s calling card, he leaves the whole damn deck on the table.