Attack the Block
3/4
Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost
Rated R for Creature Violence, Drug Content, and Pervasive Language
"Attack the Block" is to alien invasion movies what "Kick-Ass" is to superhero movies. Both approach their genres with their tongues firmly in their cheeks, but they are also legitimate entries. Although Joe Cornish's movie isn't quite as good as "Kick-Ass," it's still a lot of fun.
Moses (Boyega) runs a small gang of drug pushers in an apartment building in South End, London. On one of the wildest nights in the year (it's after Halloween, so maybe it's Thanksgiving? It doesn't matter, anyway), they mug a pretty nurse named Sam (Whittaker). Shortly thereafter, they see something fall from the sky, and when they go out to investigate, it turns out to be a freaky alien. They hunt it down and kill it, but that's not the last of them. Soon the whole building is overrun with even nastier aliens. And on top of that, they're in the sights of High Hatz (Jumayn Hunter), whose car they totaled. Unfortunately for the aliens, the have to deal with a group of street toughs, and they're not going down without a fight.
If you want laughs, scares and gore in one movie, "Attack the Block" is right up your alley. It never takes itself too seriously, and the characters, while paper thin, are more sympathetic than you initially might think. First impressions don't count for squat in Joe Cornish's movie.
The acting is effective. John Boyega mixes menace and pathos as the leader of the gang, and does a lot of acting with his eyes. It should be noted that of all the main characters, he has the least amount of lines. Jodie Whittaker is great as Sam, the victim who is forced to trust the kids who attacked her. Alex Esmail has a lot of funny moments as Pest, the gang member who never shuts up. Rounding out the main cast are Luke Treadaway as Brewis, the preppy pothead and Nick Frost as Ron, the fat stoner.
Joe Cornish successfully navigates the line between satire and a genre entry, and it's a fresh and lively experience because of it. The monsters are creepy, there's enough gore to make sure that he's not aiming for the "Twilight" crowd, and the jokes are funny.
Be forewarned, though. This is a British film through and through, and while the humor isn't British, the accents are. Few movies not directed by Ken Loach have this accents this heavy or use so much British slang. Subtitles are a must, and unfortunately, they're badly done. They're frequently intrusive and don't blend into the background as they should. The studio should have more respect for their audience than that.
That being said, "Attack the Block" is going to be a good time for those who watch it.
Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost
Rated R for Creature Violence, Drug Content, and Pervasive Language
"Attack the Block" is to alien invasion movies what "Kick-Ass" is to superhero movies. Both approach their genres with their tongues firmly in their cheeks, but they are also legitimate entries. Although Joe Cornish's movie isn't quite as good as "Kick-Ass," it's still a lot of fun.
Moses (Boyega) runs a small gang of drug pushers in an apartment building in South End, London. On one of the wildest nights in the year (it's after Halloween, so maybe it's Thanksgiving? It doesn't matter, anyway), they mug a pretty nurse named Sam (Whittaker). Shortly thereafter, they see something fall from the sky, and when they go out to investigate, it turns out to be a freaky alien. They hunt it down and kill it, but that's not the last of them. Soon the whole building is overrun with even nastier aliens. And on top of that, they're in the sights of High Hatz (Jumayn Hunter), whose car they totaled. Unfortunately for the aliens, the have to deal with a group of street toughs, and they're not going down without a fight.
If you want laughs, scares and gore in one movie, "Attack the Block" is right up your alley. It never takes itself too seriously, and the characters, while paper thin, are more sympathetic than you initially might think. First impressions don't count for squat in Joe Cornish's movie.
The acting is effective. John Boyega mixes menace and pathos as the leader of the gang, and does a lot of acting with his eyes. It should be noted that of all the main characters, he has the least amount of lines. Jodie Whittaker is great as Sam, the victim who is forced to trust the kids who attacked her. Alex Esmail has a lot of funny moments as Pest, the gang member who never shuts up. Rounding out the main cast are Luke Treadaway as Brewis, the preppy pothead and Nick Frost as Ron, the fat stoner.
Joe Cornish successfully navigates the line between satire and a genre entry, and it's a fresh and lively experience because of it. The monsters are creepy, there's enough gore to make sure that he's not aiming for the "Twilight" crowd, and the jokes are funny.
Be forewarned, though. This is a British film through and through, and while the humor isn't British, the accents are. Few movies not directed by Ken Loach have this accents this heavy or use so much British slang. Subtitles are a must, and unfortunately, they're badly done. They're frequently intrusive and don't blend into the background as they should. The studio should have more respect for their audience than that.
That being said, "Attack the Block" is going to be a good time for those who watch it.
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