Bad Monkey Season Premiere Review

Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0

4

Vince Vaughn is back at it again in the latest dark humor comedy-drama from Apple TV+, Bad Monkey.

As viewers might have expected, the series has a monkey, but much like the story, it’s for whimsical and comical reasons.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name, Bad Monkey is another Apple TV+ project developed from a published story.

While that gives a series a leg-up by having a fully developed story to work with, that doesn’t mean the series is a sure-fire hit.

Bad Monkey has a lot going for it, but is it enough to overshadow certain aspects that don’t work?

Bad Monkey Is A Vacation For The Brain With A Scenic View For The Eyes

Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way now. Bad Monkey is a police procedural.

A detective who recently had his badge suspended but is still itching for a case to work?

There hasn’t been a police procedural on television that hasn’t tackled that arc in one fashion or another.

The voice-over narration is the only thing saving Bad Monkey from being locked into that category. If it weren’t for that husky voice, every scene would feel straight out of NCIS: Hawai’i.

That’s not to say Bad Monkey isn’t wildly entertaining.

With its quick and sharp dialogue combined with Vaughn’s (Curb Your Enthusiasm) comedic timing, Bad Monkey delivers laughs whether you want them or not.

One of the first things I noticed about the show was that there was no point in keeping up with the case of the severed arm.

There was so much happening and so much back-and-forth between Andrew and Neville that it was tiresome to try to remember everything.

Luckily, what could’ve been a hindrance turned out to be a benefit.

While it may seem like Bad Monkey is convoluted, with so many details and story parts moving simultaneously, it becomes much easier to watch once you allow yourself to enjoy the story.

The best way I can describe Bad Monkey is that it’s a vacation for the brain and a scenic view for the eyes.

No One Does Vince Vaughn Better Than Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn does what he does best in any project. He plays himself.

If you’re looking for a career-defining performance from Vince Vaughn, this isn’t it.

But as I said, Vince Vaughn is doing what he does best. His strengths lie in the aspects of his personality that people have become familiar with.

You can also tell anytime Vince Vaughn is winging a line or improving because he’ll throw in “chief” somewhere. So, keep your ears perked up.

As for the character of Andrew Yancy, he is basically Jimmy Buffett if he went into law enforcement.

The show is basically CSI: Miami.

From the Hawaiin shirts to the shorts and loafers, Andrew Yancy is not looking to overexert himself physically.

If there was one bone I had to pick with the character, it’s that he never sweats.

It does not matter what time of year it is in Florida. If you’re bicycling, you’re also sweating.

He did not have a single sweat stain during any of the scenes where he was on his bicycle.

As someone who lives in the South, I find that to be the hardest part of the series to endure.

The only other part that took me out of the story was when Andrew threw himself through that storefront window.

I don’t care how tall Vince Vaughn is. There was no way for him to go through it so easily, and even if he did, he would’ve had to go straight to the hospital.

I’m just saying.

Bad Monkey Has A Cast Of Characters Oozing Comedy And Chemistry

While Vince Vaughn is doing a great job delivering laughs, he’s, thankfully, joined by an equally talented cast.

One of the most entertaining parts of the show so far has been his ongoing grudge against the real estate developer Evan Shook, played by Alex Moffat of The Bear.

The dead raccoon left in the house was gross, but the bees were a stroke of genius.

But beyond Evan, there is an even crazier character in Eve.

Introduced as the grieving widow of her late husband, Meredith Hagner’s Eve Stripling is a force of nature.

She first comes in as this dumb blonde who was on vacation when her husband died, but as we’ve seen, she’s not as naive as she seems.

From how she manipulates Christopher to how she handles Caitlin, Eve is like a hurricane.

She starts small with little digs, so you know the danger is coming, but people need to prepare for how intense things can get.

Also, how funny was Eve’s comment to Caitlin about her dress at the funeral? I almost did an actual spit-take.

Out of all of the characters, Eve is the one to keep an eye out for. She’s giving grifter/survivor vibes. Which means she’ll do anything to get what she wants.

Like A Lazy River, Bad Monkey Asks It’s Audience To Enjoy The Ride

One aspect of the series I’m having trouble latching onto is Neville.

His story is fascinating, and Lord knows the Dragon Queen, played by Jodie Turner-Smith of Sex Education, is a whole vibe. Still, it is a real workaround to the main plot.

Also, the narrator was right about the annoying jumping back and forth between Andrew and Neville.

It’s like watching two completely different shows. Apple TV+ is no stranger to this concept.

Lady in the Lake shares many similarities with Bad Monkey. Both shows are based on novels, and the two main characters lead different yet side-by-side stories.

Sadly, Bad Monkey is not as compelling as the Natalie Portman series.

However, as the show progresses and paths cross, we will likely see the bigger picture of the plot.

In all honesty, the case of the severed arm might be the least exciting part about Bad Monkey.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. A show like Bad Monkey can always introduce a new case or arc.

The show seems more focused on developing familiarity with the characters, which will likely gain it favor among viewers.

If you’re looking for a mystery, it isn’t here. But stick around for a while if you’re into comedies with hilarious characters and perfectly timed dialogue.

Like a lazy river, Bad Monkey asks its audience to come along for the ride.

So, let’s ease on down this series chock full of laughs, gasps, and middle fingers.

What do you think will happen to Christopher after the Dragon Queen cursed him?

With so many fun characters introduced, who stood out to you?

Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of Bad Monkey!