Mikes Film Talk

This week’s episode of Bad Monkey sees Rosa, Yancy and Bonnie on the run. They join Neville who has been on the run for awhile now. The trio also follow in the footsteps of Eve and Nick who, after threatening his daughter, head off for foreign shores.

Episode Names matter

This week, Bad Monkey’s episode name shows that these things matter. Entitled That Damn Arm is Back; it does what it says on the label. Nick’s arm returns “from the dead” when Yancy needs the darn thing to unlock a cell phone.

The story: This week

Nick, with some not so gentle pushing from Eve, decides to get rid of those pesky loose ends. This includes Yancy, and somewhat surprisingly, his kiddo; Caitlin. Granted, Eve has enthusiastically volunteered for the job of “un-a-living” Nick’s daughter. He, however, has not put up any fight at all to save his own flesh and blood.

Unlike Yancy, whom Nick tries to earnestly kill, Caitlin gets to live. Yancy barely survives his encounter with the one armed man. But he does get a concussion as a result of that bash in the back of the head.

Meanwhile, Neville narrowly avoids Egg, after an old girlfriend turns him in. Yancy, implicates Rosa while attempting to keep out of crooked cop (detective) Mendez’s clutches. The two have to hide out at Casa Campesino

Bonnie scarpers to Yancy’s place, only to find him gone, and breaks in. Her secrets are coming out and she has nowhere else to turn.

Bits and bobs

Kudos to Charlotte Lawrence for her wounded air while telling her daddio and step-mother to “F*** off.”

Kudos also to Roberto Escobar as “Poppa” Campesino. He conveys so much with so little screen time. Roberto nails his character in one. #nosmallparts.

Rosa continues to captivate not just Yancy’s heart but ours. This lady has made up her mind and she wants the lawman with no badge. She also tells Mendez where to stick his. (Not in so many words, but she runs each conversation they have.)

Bonnie

I have an admission to make. I have been in love with Michelle Monaghan‘s acting abilities since Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. She never fails to impress this jaded old man’s idea of what real acting should be.

*Embarrassing fanboy moment over.*

Bonnie apparently is in deep trouble, as are Yancy and Rosa. This trio may combine forces here. Although, as narrator Captain Fitzpatrick says, this is one story. As such, Neville and Yancy must team up soon. If for no other reason than to save the hapless Neville from Egg.

And the Dragon Queen.

This week’s verdict

Bad Monkey still evokes feelings of Death and Other Details, that darned theme music and opening credits, but it does entertain. Vince Vaughn has never been better. His version of acting; all glib off the cuff delivery and lack of acting “style” still works.

Bad Monkey is on Apple TV + and airs new episodes on Wednesday.

Official Trailer