Starring: Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Nick Frost
Category: New(ish) favorite
Plot Tags: invasion from outter space, child(ren) in peril
Original release: May 2011
Format viewed: DVD - own collection
Directed by: Joe Cornish
Written by: Joe Cornish
Studio: StudioCanal, UK Film Council
Distributed by: Optimum Releasing
If even half the people who went and saw the last 'Martin Lawrence puts on a fat suit and somehow fools people' movie saw Attack The Block instead, director Joe Cornish would be a household name. But alas, they didn't. While I can't completely hate on Martin (seeing as he was in Nothing To Lose and Bad Boys), I can hate on the audiences a bit for not seeking out wholly original film making like this one. This is absolutely one of my favorite films of the last 5-6 years and every time I've watched it its grown in my esteem. From the creature effects (part practical, part CGI and part...wait for it...rotoscoping!!!!) to the dialogue to the story itself to the hero arc to the humor and all the rest, this is just one of those movies I just love up one side and down the other.
The story centers around a rough London neighborhood and a group/gang of street youths led by Moses (a brilliant John Boyega) who generally go around causing problems. I call them a group/gang because they really aren't a full fledged gang as they are youngsters and really aren't bad at heart. Anyway, the film starts with them mugging a nurse (Jodie Whittaker - Perrier's Bounty) and soon after seeing a flying object land in a nearby barn thing. They approach with Moses leading the way. The thing that lands attacks him, scratches his face and a battle ensues. They kill the creature and thinking it might be worth something, the lug it back to their neighborhood drug dealer's flat (played by Nick Frost - Sean of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul) to store in their weed room. As it turns out, many more creatures are following this one and not long after they are there, they see a ton of streaming things from the sky, leaving the small dead creature there. They are set upon by the police who have Whittaker's character in the police van to help identify them. In the process of being arrested, large, jet-black things with bright glowing blue teeth show up and kill the police officers and nearly get our group. They flee with Whittaker in tow. What follows is a series of near misses with the creatures, mounting tension, tense and scary scenes and a sense of what is really happening with these monsters and why they are after our group. As the story comes to a head, the hero's arc because something of grand display (without being cheesy) and if you aren't rooting for that character by the end of it, there is certainly something wrong with you.
There is a laundry list of why I love this movie but part (or rather 3 parts) of the reason is...well, I have to preface this because it makes me sound kind of evil. I really love adventure/scary movies where children are in danger. Legitimately. Not like crazy crap is going on all around them but never touches them no matter what. I mean, legit danger. Take fish movies. Jaws is amazingly effective because of the youth death pretty early on. It changes the expectations and the rules and totally puts you on edge for the duration of the film. On the other side, Piranha (not the brilliant Corman/Joe Dante one, the remake) totally lame-asses out on this and put two children in dangerous situations but frames them in such a way that you know full well nothing will happen to them. Tension level -0-. I'm getting off track, so Attack The Block is great because it puts our group of youths in seriously bad danger. Some characters across the film do die. It's not like everyone who is likable makes it or they just keep killing the guys from Star Trek with the red suits. Again, legit danger. This is wonderful, brings a certain excitement to it that really draws you in.
Another reason is the script/humor and writing style. Nothing, and I repeat nothing is more lame than horror movies trying to be funny when they mug for the laugh on a misplaced joke. Like someone dies right in front of them and then a clever quip is the next line. Give me a damned break. It's not funny and not realistic and just plain crap. Perfect examples of this are the absolutely abhorrent Night of the Demons remake, Fright Night remake and maybe Valentine. Bleah. Attack the Block brings the same crisp humor from Sean of the Dead and/or Paul where they don't treat you like an idiot and they don't treat their characters with disrespect. These youths are sharp and charming and when they get going, riffing on each other, it is just grand. One character in particular, nicknamed 'Pest' is really great at this and has one of the best lines in the movie in a back and forth with Jodie Whittaker's character. Priceless.
The last reason I love this movie (at least what I have time to write about) is the effects themselves. Having a dinky budget means you have to be creative and smart about what you do and how you do it. The combination of effects techniques combined with the filming style and overall look make it seem so much grander than it is. The monsters themselves are marvelous - black haired and glowing teeth and all. They move amazingly well and occupy their spaces with true menace and exude fear. Watching the making of on the Blu-ray is freaking awesome - you gain an even greater appreciation for what they did. So the effects are just wonderful - not crutching on big, overblown CGI crap to cover a bad script or lousy acting.
Damn, okay, one more thing. The actors are all fantastic. Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega are the leads in every sense of the word - the teenage boy and the adult woman occupy the same authority and earn the two feet they stand on. By that I mean, you believe them and you believe in them. This is the mark of smart writing and good acting. Across the board, the ensemble is so wonderful to watch that you wonder how on earth they pulled it off (again, watch the making of).
So bottom line, I freaking love this movie. I really do. It is fun, scary at times, exciting, funny and just the kind of original project that should be celebrated as often as possible. Truth.
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