"Attack The Block" (2011) - Sam Gall's Movie Review Issue #11 Gem Mint 10.0
Updated: Sep 17, 2020
"Attack The Block" (2011) directed by Joe Cornish
"A teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion."
You might like this if you liked: Fin from Star Wars (John Boyega was definitely an in for me to watch this, it’s Boyega pre-Star Wars which is pretty great), Nick Frost in it (huge fan of Shaun of the Dead (2004)/Hot Fuzz (2007)), action, comedies, Sci fi, horror, Edgar Wright movies (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim, The World’s End)
John Boyega (left), Jodie Whittaker (middle), Luke Treadaway (right) in "Attack The Block" (2011)
I heard about this film from the wonderful writer/podcaster Marc Bernardin who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Scum & Villainy with Kevin Smith. Thank god he told me about this film... NOW TO BE FAIR... I did have to watch this movie with subtitles due to all the British slang. That was also Marc Bernardin’s recommendation (well at least for us Americans). But holy shit does John Boyega knock it out of the park. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the film JJ Abrams saw and he said I want that guy for my Fin. It was the film debut of Joe Cornish, Boyega and composer Steven Price. It’s a rockin roll ride, feels like a midnight movie you’d see at the SXSW film festival. I know we’re in quarantine but it does feel like a midnight crowd movie if that makes any sense. (After uploading the poster I saw it premiered at SXSW lol)
John Boyega in "Attack The Block" (2011)
Roller coaster of fun genre bending action. I had HUGE Edgar Wright vibes watching this so if you’re a fan of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, World’s End, Scott Pilgrim you might enjoy this one.. plus Nick Frost being in it almost makes it feel like an Edgar Wright film anyways. Fans of the original From Dusk till Dawn (1996) might enjoy this too because, similarly to Edgar Wright’s The World’s End (2013), ATTACK THE BLOCK has one of those... feels like 2 movie genres marrying halfway through. And I’m only saying that because I know a lot of people who were turned off by From Dusk Till Dawn/The World’s End due to their genre mixing. But I f*cking live for that sh*t. So if you like that stuff, this one goes right up there in one of my favorite Action/Sci-Fi/Horror/Comedies.
Written by Sam Gall on 04/03/20
CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0
Trailer for "Attack The Block" (2011):
Rent for $3.99 or buy for $12.99:
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