Attack the Block

Synopsis: Attack the Block

When Attack the Block was first being advertised and I saw the first trailer I was really excited about watching it. I dont really know why it took me this long to see it,  but I remember it having a super small theatrical release, then it went to Amazon and red box for rental, and then it was even on Netflix for while. I had an insane amount of opportunity to check it out, but somehow I missed it. A couple months ago my coworker Cam was talking about it and I was thinking how it was a shame I had not watched it yet. After this I checked on Amazon, but it was not available for rental any more only as a buy option. If it was $6.00 for the buy I would have bought it right there, but $9.99 for a movie I would only watch once seemed to high. Well last weekend it became available for rental and I had to do it. Finally after this epic journey I was watching this well reviewed movie... but was it worth wait?



I dont know if it was the anticipation or the movie itself, but for some reason I just did not enjoy this movie. Maybe not enjoying it is a little harsh, but I just never really got into it. Overall there was not anything wrong with the film, but I think I came into it expecting "Shuan of the Dead" or "Hot Fuzz", but it felt like a much watered down version of those movies.

The Best:
I can easily call out the absolute best thing about this movie was the British slang. Guy Ritchie made a couple of my favorite movies "Snatch" and "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels". These movies made me fall in love with crazy British slang. And this movie replicated that feeling perfectly.

Another great aspect of this movie is what was able to be done on what I imagine was a pretty small budget (13 million according to box office mojo). I love to see a small budget movie do things that a large budget movie cant seem to do.

The Bad:
Truth be told, I thought the story was a little weak overall. The acting was fine, but the story should have been stronger. The aliens looked a little goofy at times. I mean the makeup and costume was good, but obviously they were just people in costumes hunched over.

Although my biggest gripe is with the Weed man. His introduction was hilarious, but his later character was absolutely unbelievable. Its an older movie, so I am going to venture into a small spoiler. When they wreck his car in the garage and he is mad at them that makes perfect sense. The part where you lose me is when he sees the alien rip the throat out of his friend and is still mad at the kids. I understand his anger at the end of the movie, but why wasnt he like "Damn... we need to group up and kill some monsters" or something. I think that is partly of why i hated the story, so much relied on such a weak premise.

My final complaint is much smaller, but it really bothered me that they chose the vehicles and weapons they did. I mean the sword was the only viable weapon against these monsters, and they had one. There other weapons were "bangers" and a mini bat. What the hell?!?! I mean even the small kids picked up gasoline and fireworks. I expected an ax, some knives, I mean something.

Overall:
When it comes down to it I am glad I rented this movie instead of bought. Recently I was considering just biting the bullet and buying the movie. The story was weak, the acting was ok, and it wasn't as funny as it should have been... but I have seen a lot worst. I imagine if you go into this movie with lowered expectations you could love it. The music was great, the slang was classic, and there was some cleaver story writing and costumes. I cannot suggest this movie, but I have seen worst.