Attack The Block is Joe Cornish's (of Adam and Joe fame) debut in the world of film and if there's one thing that can be said about it, he certainly wanted to make an entrance. This is a fast paced comedy-horror splicing with a lot of action. This is not a film for character studies or deep dialogue, but just looking at the poster you'd have to be pretty oblivious to expect that anyway. This more than delivers with the action making it fast, exciting and surprisingly well done for a low budget debut while the humour on the whole will stay cheap and based on how the kids speak, but keep a keen ear out for some quite subtle and clever jokes littered throughout the script.
Now one of the main criticism's I've heard about this film from others is that the characters are just not likable, usually followed by saying they turned it off within a few minutes. Those two points are very key in their connection, because I can't see anyone disagreeing that during the first act of this film the kids overall are an unlikable group, being the type who seemingly mug nurses at knifepoint. But stick with this, and as the film progresses you'll warm to most of them as you see their more cowering and human side when faced with the far more menacing alien threat en masse. Turn this film off after the first five minutes and you'll be left with an unpleasant taste in your mouth, and could just make yourself the poor decision of writing off Joe Cornish as a new talent on the block. However, stick with this and you could just find yourself enjoying a well done mix of good action scenes, some good lines and a few jumpy moments thrown in too. Recommended for the more patient film watcher.
8/10
