Combining District 9 and The Monster Squad in the setting of Kidulthood, Attack the Block wears its invasion-genre love on its sleeve like the imitation Adidas-stripe of its council-flat characters. But while Joe Cornish’s madcap comedy-action tale of an inner city gang’s attempt to survive an alien invasion of their monolithic apartment complex was clearly a labour of love, the results are mixed. Turns out love isn’t all you need – focus helps, too.
The teenage gang is mainly comprised of unknowns, and the young actors fare well. Vulgar, aggressive and full of bravado, these kids are far too cynical and harsh for boys so young. But as the aliens attack, both their endearing vulnerability and fierce loyalty to each other is revealed. However, their working-class roots aren’t treated as merely fact, but an exploited feature. Add in a fop-haired, middle-class hipster (Luke Treadaway), prejudiced policemen and Nick Frost’s tracksuited weed dealer and Attack the Block soon turns into Attack Of The Accented Stereotypes.
There are some good one-liners and characters, most notably two nine year-olds determined to gain some street cred, but it’s never as funny as it should be. Frost aims to inject some laughs, but though affable as ever, he’s distractingly at odds with the tone of the film and actually just serves to show up the rest of the cast.
But visually, Attack the Block shines. Using the complex’s drab greys and harsh yellow streetlamps, Cornish brilliantly uses shadows to create an eerie atmosphere – a skill that’s highlighted by the eventual reveal of the aliens. Lupine-gorilla silhouettes with glowing fangs, the creatures prove a brilliantly effective way of working around budgetary constraints. Cornish also creates a thrilling pace, timing his explosions and battle sequences so that the action never lags. There’s never enough time to focus on the flawed and predictable plot.
Joes Cornish is undoubtedly a talent, but overall his genre-loving film is for true genre-lovers only.