Attack the Block

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Attack the Block.

Written & Directed by Joe Cornish.

Review #132

MPAA Rating: R for creature violence, drug content and pervasive language.

Runtime: 88 min

Cast

Nick Frost ... Ron

Jodie Whittaker ... Sam

John Boyega ... Moses

Alex Esmail ... Pest

Leeon Jones ... Jerome

Simon Howard ... Biggz

Sammy Williams ... Probs

Michael Ajao ... Mayhem

Jumayn Hunter ... Hi-Hatz

Paige Meade ... Dimples

Franz Drameh ... Dennis

Maggie McCarthy ... Margaret

Danielle Vitalis ... Tia

If you've seen the films Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz then you are well aware of the ability of the British to comically homage some of our best zombie/action films. If you haven't seen them then I STRONGLY suggest you do. The next evolution of homage was the alien film and Attack the Block was the latest entry. There are BIG differences between this installment and Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz. The main one being both of those films were made by Edgar Wright and co written by him and Simon Pegg. Attack the Block doesn't have them in the fold.

Does it matter? A little. Does the film suffer because of it? Nope.

Plot

A teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion. 


As you can see or not the plot description is just 1 line and pretty straight to the point. The only problem is the film has a lit more depth to it. And that depth comes in the form of character development. Particularly with Moses. This film becomes more of a misunderstood youth in the hood type film with aliens running around in it. Sounds silly? To the naked mind perhaps but unlike Cowboys & Aliens, Attack the Block found a way to relate the 2 very off topic genres. How did they do it you ask?

Via comedy.

Attack the Block doesn't take itself seriously and that's what makes it work. The characters are all like able and at times very funny. You can even make the case that Pest was the funniest character in the film. I thought so at least. The funny thing about Attack the Block was that the kids were supposed to be these unruly little bastards that made you wish for their demise. Instead I became their fans right after the first alien attack. Either the filmmakers intended to portray these kids as wannabes or kids who actually are tough but also have a heart. I prefer to believe the latter. The reason for the aliens arrival and attempt to re-colonize the planet made logical sense too. That was another positive for the film.

Regardless of their perception, it's the kids that rule the roost so to speak. They all play off each other very well. Firing line after line of England slang that only makes sense to them just gives the film a rapid fire pace and tone. The creature design was simple and cool. You just read me complaining about how BLAH the aliens looked in other films well these guys used the K.I.S.S. method when it came to their brand of creepy crawlies. In fact there's nothing crawly about these dudes. They were pretty nasty.

If I have to gripe about this one. I guess it would have to be the lack of laughs in spots. For the most part there were some decent laughs but I think there were places in the film where a well placed joke would have given the film some more punch. The laughs in Attack the Block were spaced out too far apart. Unlike their counterparts Dead/Fuzz never let you breathe before landing another zinger at you.

It's a small bitch but in the big picture it drops the film down a couple of pegs. Otherwise I would be talking about a film worthy of joining Pegg and Wright's team.

On the 5 star scale. Attack the Block gets 3.5 stars with a "Give it a shot" recommendation. Sadly this film has not been given a nationwide release. I had to venture out into the city for this one. Hopefully if received well it will get a chance to be seen on more screens.

You might have to Netflix this one.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"