I was really looking forward to seeing Attack The Block thanks to it's alien invasion premise, rave American reviews and it's cool Brit credits (produced by Edgar Wright, directed by Joe Cornish of Adam & Joe Show notoriety and cameoing Nick Frost). But I had my doubts since the heroes fighting the extra-terrestrial invaders this time was a bunch of hoodies, complete with anti-social attitudes, gang posturing and 'yoff' speak (they might think the use of language is a cute gimmick in the States, but I just think it's lazy talk by a bunch of no-hope wankers.)
Twenty minutes into the film and I was struggling. The language was irritating, the kids unlikable thanks to their mugging of posh-totty co-star Jodie Whittaker, and mostly because the leader of the gang, Moses, is portrayed as a virtually irredeemable bell-end; always looking for a fight, prepared to sell drugs, police abusing, knife carrying, neighbour mugging little shit...and pretty much unapologetic for it too. What kept me watching at that stage was the stylish look, the tone and style which is obviously a love-letter to classics like The Thing and Alien, the cool monsters (brilliant in their simplicity, especially considering the micro-budget) and the more sympathetic cast members like Whittaker, Frost and a bumbling Luke Treadaway.
Twenty minutes in and the gang are becoming much more likable, given the added perspective of their parental relationships, that they're not the instigators of the mugging (their twat leader is) and that they don't swear much (not compared to the posher people anyway). The Moses character was a tougher nut to crack. Just when I'd thought he was beginning to soften and become much less of a wanker, he'd do or say something stupid. Fortunately, as the plot progresses, it becomes clear this is a redemptive tale as Moses learns that his actions have consequences and that he must take responsibility for those actions. His story arc is nicely balanced in the Whitaker character who realises Moses and co aren't just evil and that they have a moral code.
It's well played by all concerned in what is basically a classic John Carpenter siege movie with a classic Carpenter anti-hero (Moses is just a hoodie gangland version of Snake Pliskin). Like Shaun Of The Dead or Dog Soldiers it works because it treats it's characters seriously and has complete respect for the genre it's working in. While not as funny as those two classics, it is consistently amusing and the budget restraints never become a debilitating issue.
Just like the hoodies defeat the alien invaders, they also defeated my cynicism.
Whatever next?
1 comment:
Great stuff. Really enjoyed this. It has that very British Dog Soldiers vibe but also with a heavy dose of classic John Carpenter. Well done to the splendid young cast and to Mr Joe Cornish for his script and direction.
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