Attack the Block (2011)

Sam: We should call the police. Pest: You'd be better off calling the Ghostbusters love.

The movie Cloverfield (2008) was one of those unexpected hits of the year and likewise it seems that Attack the Block followed suit for 2011.  It also happened to be a movie about an alien invasion but on a much smaller scale with no major city destruction.  It would also be the film debut of the actor John Boyega who you will recognise as Finn from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  It is also said that the Writer/Director Joe Cornish based part of the story off a real-life mugging he experienced which formed part of the start of the movie.  

The movie is set in South London and the accents are very strong which is a nice change.  I hate giving away the story of a movie, so I will try to be careful here.  The very start of the movie reminded me of John Carpenter’s brilliant 1982 movie “The Thing” (a remake of the 1951 movie “The Thing from Another World”) with a similar sound and look.  The focus then moves to a few guys led by Moses (John Boyega) mugging a girl named Sam (Jodie Whittaker).  The mugging gets interrupted by something slamming into a nearby car and while everyone is thrown off guard by this object, Sam escapes from the clutches of her new found enemies.  Moses investigates the impacted car and a creature resembling a weird dog jumps out and runs away.  The gang then hunts it down to kill it, but they realise it aint no dog.  Soon after more of these objects hit the ground and it seems clear that it’s either an attempt by the government to clean up this part of town using some strange animal or…..it’s an alien invasion.  They then decide to go and get these things but when they are found by the aliens they realise it’s not going to be as easy as they think.  They end up crossing paths again with Sam and together they try to stop these aliens invading their block (a high rise block of units).

The movie is partly serious but has some funny moments in it both in what is said and done.  The creatures are quite different from what I have seen in previous movies and are really kinda freaky especially in dark shadowy areas (you will know what I mean if you watch it).  When the creatures are in closer range they are not fully CGI but were instead guys in a costume that has been enhanced a little via CGI which is different from the norm.  There is a reasonable amount of swearing in the movie which is probably consistent with that part of town in real life, but still I don’t think it’s necessary.  That aside the movie is really fun and at times scary enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen.  The actors do a good job especially considering that this is the first movie the main group of actors/actresses have starred in.  At 88 minutes there isn’t much messing around and it remains well paced throughout the film.  

The Aussie Bluray reviewed reveals great image quality, as can be expected from a recent release, and is in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio.  The audio comes to us in the flavour of DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 and reveals the finer sound effects well along with the soundtrack.  Included on the disc is a 1 hour “making of” documentary for those wanting to delve a bit deeper into the movie.  

Overall the movie was well worth the purchase and it will certainly go in the player for another viewing.  It had a fresh feel to it (not doubt partly due to the strong British accent), the aliens were original and scary and it kept me in the whole time with some thrills, scares and laughs.   For someone who likes a scare and enjoys alien movies, this one is right up your alley!  Well worth watching ☺

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