Attack the Block

Well, all that glitters in Britain is not gold. I have one basic problem with Attack the Block: A group of central, uh, well, let's say heroes. I didn't find them remotely likeable, they weren't funny at all, and they weren't even laughable enough for me to laugh at times. The entire time I was just waiting to see when and on which of them some hairy monster would jump and turn him into mash, who would finally be silent and wouldn't keep saying "cool lines". Nope. I don't really find it funny that someone is constantly smoking weed and then saying weird things with a weird look on their face. Just like watching moody teenagers whose wit seems to stem from something I didn't even catch. And when a sympathetic girl, who was robbed by this group at the beginning, and thanks to whom some of them even started to humanize themselves, was thrown into the plot, it was unfortunately too late for me to root for them. Yes, it's commendable that Attack the Block has a good atmosphere without super-expensive effects, and it's good that the ending feels completely different than you'd expect, but I wanted something completely different and better. (2012-02-04)

Entertaining silliness, it was more fun than last year’s Tucker and Dale vs Evil. Loads of one-liners, pretty likeable characters and a cool monster with shining teeth. Thumbs certainly up, we get good comedies like this only once or twice a year, no more than that. (2011-09-04)

An action-packed, sci-fi comedy with a British twist? Yes, please! Attack the Block was such a blast that I couldn’t take my eyes off it. It’s brutal and hilarious all at once, with dialogue that sparks endless discussions about British youth, and the story is just pure fun. It didn’t hurt that Nick Frost, who I’ve loved since Shaun of the Dead, makes an appearance in a supporting role—always a joy to see him. If you liked Paul, this feels like an amped-up version of what British cinema can do. Definitely a film I’ll be rewatching, if only for those killer one-liners! (2011-09-12)

“My fucking heroes.” A conventional turf war in a very unconventional concept. Disturbingly topical and funny where you wouldn’t expect it, B-movie cheap and surprisingly good looking (as needed) and with characters who could have the word “ambivalent” tattooed on their foreheads. If you want cheeky sci-fi by geeks for nerds (or vice versa), then watch this, not the Americanised Paul. 85% (2011-09-06)