When I saw Randy Zisk was directing, Andy Breckman was writing, and everyone was coming back, the pit in my stomach kept churning: "Please don't let this be a TV movie reunion cash-grab." It wasn't. In fact, "Mr. Monk's Last Case" makes me sincerely hope it's not his last case.
Everyone is back and it simultaneously feels like just yesterday when the last episode aired, and yet a whole era has passed. They don't shy away from COVID and how it affected Mr. Monk- in fact, they go deep. I wasn't expecting so much trauma to be revealed, and the even-deeper humanity it was treated with. The call to action at the end felt earned. Tony Shalhoub is hopefully in for another Emmy for bringing Mr. Monk back. And Hector Elizondo as Dr. Bell brought an unexpected
The mystery (and the "Here's what happened...") will NOT disappoint. This was written and directed by people who love Monk, and it shows. Andy Breckman is TV mystery royalty, and let's everyone know it.
Jeff Beal's score was one of my favorite parts of this- the "Monk" cues are there, but it's a new score now and not just a rehash of the original show soundtrack. His use of string instruments not only well up tears effectively, but he even brings in some Hitchcockian ethers that just hit the spot.
I hope "Mr. Monk's Last Case" gets the recognition it deserves. It's a Monk mystery that ends up having so much more to say about Mr. Monk himself and our world today. Emphasizing just how emotional and realistic this movie got for me any further would include spoilers, so just make sure to keep some wipes handy.
Everyone is back and it simultaneously feels like just yesterday when the last episode aired, and yet a whole era has passed. They don't shy away from COVID and how it affected Mr. Monk- in fact, they go deep. I wasn't expecting so much trauma to be revealed, and the even-deeper humanity it was treated with. The call to action at the end felt earned. Tony Shalhoub is hopefully in for another Emmy for bringing Mr. Monk back. And Hector Elizondo as Dr. Bell brought an unexpected
The mystery (and the "Here's what happened...") will NOT disappoint. This was written and directed by people who love Monk, and it shows. Andy Breckman is TV mystery royalty, and let's everyone know it.
Jeff Beal's score was one of my favorite parts of this- the "Monk" cues are there, but it's a new score now and not just a rehash of the original show soundtrack. His use of string instruments not only well up tears effectively, but he even brings in some Hitchcockian ethers that just hit the spot.
I hope "Mr. Monk's Last Case" gets the recognition it deserves. It's a Monk mystery that ends up having so much more to say about Mr. Monk himself and our world today. Emphasizing just how emotional and realistic this movie got for me any further would include spoilers, so just make sure to keep some wipes handy.