Attack The Block
Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones
Director: Joe Cornish
Rating: 3/5
Not I have to admit that after the first ten minutes of Attack the Block I was sure that this would be another ninety minutes of my life that I would never get back.
But everything comes to those who wait and after persevering with this movie for a little while I found it to be entertaining as Joe Cornish makes a solid directorial debut.
Trainee nurse Sam (Jodie Whittaker) is walking alone through the dark streets of South London when a gang of youths surround her and rob her, but she is saved when something falls from the sky.
A meteor impacts with a nearby parked car and Sam flees, just before the gang is attacked by a small alien creature that leaps from the wreckage.
The gang chases the creature and kills it, dragging its ghoulish carcass to the top of the block, which they treat as their territory.
But the adventure is not over. The alien attacks have only just begun...
Ok lets get the back out of the way - the aliens are a little naff looking; we have been treated to some great CGI over recent years that we have come to expect so much more from the creatures that they create.
So sure that was a little disappointing if you can look past that then Attack The Block really a great ride that blends sc-fi, action and comedy seamlessly.
From the second the aliens land the pace never slows down as the invaders go head to head with those living in a block of flats in south London.
It’s a fairly unknown cast, Jodie Whittaker and Nick Frost being on the only names of note, and this works in the film’s favour as it brings a real authenticity to the feel of the movie.
But it is director Joe Cornish who really should be praised for his work on this movie as he has brought a fresh feeling addition to this genre - much like Edgar Wright did with Shaun of the Dead.
Cornish is not afraid to make this movie not all about the aliens but instead focuses on the youngsters who are battling against them - and the troubles that they have faced in their everyday lives.
Starting out as thugs at the beginning, robbing Whittaker’s character, they become heroes that you can’t help but cheer for as they battle to protect what they hold dear - which is each other and where they live.
Attack The Block is so much more than I expected it to be it’s hugely entertaining without ever taking itself too seriously.
Attack The Block is out on DVD & Blu-ray now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw