My Favorite Films - Attack The Block

"I am too high for this shit." "Trust"

Alien invasion movies are a dime a dozen and then there is 'Attack the Block', one of the best of the lot. I first saw this on the same weekend I saw 'Super 8'. They are movies that have the same subject matter but approach their story in two totally different ways. I think I prefer this low budget approach to the mega money Spielberg thriller.

The filmmakers have come up with such a great concept that requires storytelling to grab the audience - not overdone special effects.

A cast of mainly unknowns (aside from Shaun of the Dead's Nick Frost) push this story ahead at breakneck speed. John Boyega is memorable as Moses, the born leader who runs the most loyal group of baby gangsters the movies have seen in a long time. I half hoped they would break into a wicked song and dance number. There is that much energy dripping off this cast.

The copy I watched had a subtitled track for all the street language that may been confusing to listen to at first. Over time you pick up the rhythm of the language in much the same way you do when immersed in Shakespeare. If anything, the language really grounds the setting in a real place and that is what you end up caring about the most - the people and their home.

The alien creatures are themselves just one step above a guy in a gorilla suit but boy are they effective. Less is definitely more in this case.

This movie is an excellent example of great editing and cinematography and doing everything with camera tricks, angles and lighting. These are techniques that are old as the movies themselves. This is creativity and effort with crowd pleasing results.Chills and thrills with characters you will care about.

Am I saying this movie is a classic? Yes. In terms of great story, believable setting, spectacular low budget film making, it is. I would put this on a double bill with 'Monsters' (2010) and call that a great day at the movies.

I loved it.

9/10

One of the film's many strengths is how sure of itself it is; ATTACK never waits for the audience to catch up with it. It's refreshing to see ideas and thrills explode from the screen at such a furious pace, with barely enough time to catch a breath. The film utilizes practical creature effects (as opposed to the rampant use of CGI found in most recent works), which work well with the old school feel that the film wears proudly on its sleeve.