Mere seconds into the opening title sequence of Bad Monkey, I sensed imitation. Sure, this is the sincerest form of flattery but…
Bad Monkey feels like a landlocked version of Hulu’s Death and Other Details. The music in the title open sounds like a clone of the Mandy Patinkin and Violett Beane double act. Vince Vaughn appears to be playing both parts in this Apple offering.
I have been a fan of Vaughn since Dodgeball. He delivers. Whether it be comedy, drama or something in-between, Vaughn performs. He also never seems to be acting. He just…is that character.
Although a lot of the time, it feels like a rehash of his character from, Dodgeball. Incorrigible, rebellious and self centered, with a touch of self-deprecating humour thrown in for good measure. In this vein, the actor is delivering in spades.
The story so far
A honeymoon couple are deep sea fishing. The new husband hooks an amputated arm. The severed limb has an extended middle finger and a platinum wedding ring. The chief of police, who suspended Det Yancy (Vaughn), wants the arm gone. The Florida Keys, says the chief, does not need the headache “attached” to this mystery arm. Yancy reluctantly agrees to pass the item onto another precinct: Miami/Dade.
In the meantime, Yancy’s girlfriend Bonnie, tries to resume relations with the suspended detective. Another man is having issues of his own. Neville has his property sold out from under him. He goes to the local voodoo queen to fix his problem.
It works so far
Despite feeling like a Death and Other Details imitator, sans Patinkin and Beane, Bad Monkey is working. *Especially that musical score.* Everyone involved is bringing their A game to the new series. Creator Bill Lawrence gives us an interesting story and characters that amuse.
This narration style mystery relies on the vocal talents of Tom Nowicki, who also plays a small but apparently integral part in the show. It is a nice touch to have his gravelly tones permeate the proceedings. A sort of variation on the king of gravel delivery; Kris Kristofferson.
Kristofferson allusions aside, the show’s setting works in its favour. From Miami Vice to Burn Notice, there is something mesmerizing about crime in Florida. All the more so if located in the southern part of the state. Palm trees, ocean breezes, amputated arms…
The main Cast
Vince Vaughn is Detective Yancy. He is a glib and funny man. Yancy has no issues about sleeping with another man’s wife. He does, however, take offense at removing a severed arm to another county.
Michelle Monaghan is Bonnie. Yancy’s love interest. A lady with a shady past who is clearly out of the law man’s league.
John Ortiz is Rogelio; Yancy’s partner. This long suffering man still loves his law enforcement marriage partner.
Meredith Hagner is Eve the widow of the arm’s former owner.
Ronald Peet is Neville, a man who has property problems and seems to be on an intersecting path with Yancy.
Natalie Martinez is Dr. Campesino, the ME and spiritual twin to Yancy.
Jodie Turner-Smith is the Dragon Queen. She is an odd mixture of fear and desire to Neville.
Crystal the Monkey is the Pirates of the Caribbean monkey that Neville won in a poker game.
The Verdict
So far Bad Monkey is a 4.5 star effort. So far critics and audiences give this one high marks. *Amazingly, Rotten Tomatoes dot com rates this at 91%.* It may well be that I am the only one seeing Death and Other Details overtones. The Apple production is entertaining and, to an extent, clever.
New episodes air Wednesdays on Apple TV+. This one really is worth a look or two. Check out and see. If you are a fan of Vaughn’s you will not regret it.
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