Summer Movie Recommendation: Attack The Block
I just got back home from the movie theaters where I saw a free advanced screening of Attack The Block, a film produced by the people who brought you Shaun of the Dead. The film is slated for a limited release in the States in July and I would highly recommend watching it.
Not wanting to give much away, the film follows a teen gang in South London who find themselves amidst an alien invasion and struggle to defend their block from it. The film casts many teen actors but has a notable appearance by Nick Frost.
I absolutely loved the film and found that not only was it filled with action and comedy, but tons of heart. Moreover, I would simply state that I found this movie way more impressive than Super 8, which I thought was just okay.
My problem with Super 8 was that it felt like two films: an alien attack (action) and a kid dealing with the loss of his mother (emotional) (and also not a spoiler). As a result, I never really felt attached to any of the characters in the film and I found myself always wanting to just watch the action parts. It wasn’t until the very end of the film where the two began to intermingle and by then, it was way too late since the film was over.
Attack The Block really succeeds where Super 8 failed. It has characters that you invest in and root for during the film. The action and the emotional response are intertwined throughout the film and I never found myself wishing a scene would end. Not only does the film give you an entertaining and comedic story of aliens, but it touches on the hardships of living in an impoverished neighborhood in South London without preaching.
In any case, I know there are a ton of huge movies that are coming out this summer and there’s a good chance that many people might overlook this film. But if you find yourself with an opportunity to see it, I would highly recommend it.
