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By Simon Jago
Attack the Block is brought to us by the same production team that gave us 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' and has childhood hero of mine Joe Cornish at the helm directing. An unmistakably British production, and set in my home city of London, Attack the Block looked set to please the locals, but would it rival other Alien 'Block'busters?
PLOT SYNOPSIS
The film is set in a council estate in South London. As reputation has it the estate is dominated by gangs, guns and violence. The film centres around a group of unruly teenagers who are involved in all sorts of criminal activities. The gang are up to their usual mischief one evening when an intergalactic stranger crash lands on their turf. An initial hostile encounter between the group's leader Moses (John Boyega) and the small child sized alien leaves the gang determined to show that no one messes with their 'block', and so the boys give the alien a 'warm welcome' by terrorising it with fireworks before kicking the crap out of it.
Gloating in their victory, the gang parade the carcass of their alien victim around the estate, showing off to the girls on their estate. Although after sometime, this attracts some much unwanted attention from a party of larger male aliens that are hungry, horny and pissed off! It's then up to the gang to fend off the alien invasion and ultimately defend their 'block'.
Attack the Block is a really good film, and actually stands alone as a great sci-fi film. The concept of the alien invaders is very well thought out, and their design and appearance is refreshingly original and unique. The series of events that test the characters and reveal their true colours is well structured and leaves you routing for these previously horrible anti-heroes. My only criticism is that, I am from London, and I understand the perversion of the English language that is the 'street talk' that the characters use. However, I feel that an international audience might struggle as even I found the urban dialogue a bit tedious at times.
If you like your alien movies then this is a must see. If you like films such as 'Kidulthood' or 'Harry Brown' and enjoy watching teenage gangs terrorising London, then you will also most likely enjoy this film. A unique hybrid of two completely separate genres. 3.5 stars out of 5.
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