Bad Monkey

Bad Monkey is a perfect summer watch with its gorgeous Florida scenery, cast of characters you just want to succeed, and others are fun to cheer against. The series is playful, fun, with animated thrills, keeping you wanting more. The dialog sharp, with each and every actor's performance and dialog as colorful as Florida itself.

Vince Vaughn plays suspended Detective Yancy, and is at his best. Mouthy, armed with quick witted one liners infuriating fellow characters, yet for me endearing + entertaining and laugh out loud funny. I'm rooting for you Yancy!

Only 2 episodes released so far. I'm obsessed and excited for more.

I love Carl Hiaasen's writing, particularly the Andrew Yancy novels. I'm also a fan of Bill Lawrence. To an extent. Scrubs could be grating, Ted Lasso meandered once he left, Shrinking is... I don't know.

But as far as the first two episodes go, they've nailed the tone of the book and the casting is really good. I never would've picked Vince Vaughn as Yancy, but he's perfect. The world weariness, the sardonic self loathing, it's all there.

You can tell that Lawrence is a huge Hiaasen fan and he's been thinking about this for a while. It's been a few years since I read the book but I like the additions that have been made to pad the story out. Again, I'm basing this off two episodes. I really hope this series is successful and we get a Razor Girl adaptation.

And I think the narration, sort of a lackadaisical Floridian version of Sam Elliot in Big Lebowski. It keeps things wry and offbeat. The only issue I have so far, and maybe just because I know the eventual outcome, is the big reveal in the book works because there isn't a visual element involved and you've been too distracted to think that hard about it. I would be surprised if most people didn't guess what's going on right away. But boy, what a fun beautiful time.

Bad Monkey feels like a classic Vince Vaughn film when he was in his prime. He shines here as the lead of another great Apple TV show. Is it the best show you'll watch this year? No. But it still very good and worth your time to watch. If you like Vaughn then you'll like this and vice versa if you don't like him. He does his classic fast talking, tongue in cheek comedy that he's famous for. This show is based off Carl Hiaasen's best seller. It almost feels it was written for Vaughn, that's how good he is here. The show is also beautifully shot, making the most of the sun filled settings in the Bahamas and Florida. Besides the comedy and action there are plenty of twists and turns to hold your attention.

The show is funny and it keeps you interested in what's going to happen next. Vince Vaughn is as charming as he has ever been and the cast has really good chemistry. The supporting characters do a good job and the types of characters in the show are relatable even though they're over the top.

If you can just sit back and enjoy a funny murder mystery then you may enjoy this one. I don't have much more to say. It's fun, it's unpredictable, it's like Fargo but in the Florida Keys. It has good energy and actors who do their best to entertain you.

Trying to think of something I don't like... the color grading I guess? It's a bit like an Instagram filter. Other than that, it's great.

I like it. Hopefully Vince Vaughn will not turn out to be an alien!

First things first, the opening credits are terrific. The soundtrack is excellent. The writing and atmosphere remind me of Elmore Leonard's 'Rum Punch.' It feels like it was custom tailored for Vince Vaughn who is terrific in the lead role. My only nitpick is Vince should lose the dye job and look his age.

The supporting cast is interesting and eclectic, and other than John Ortiz, essentially unknown to me. Tom Nowicki does a nice job with the rum-soaked narration.

It will be interesting to see if the series can maintain its great start because Apple+ does not have a good track record with original series. But, I'm rooting for Vince!