Attack the Block
2011 · Directed by Joe Cornish
Original language: English
- action
- comedy
- science fiction
The story
A South London teen gang must team up with the other residents of their housing estate to protect the neighbourhood from a terrifying alien invasion.
What it’s like
Gritty, saturated night-time South London: sodium-orange streetlamps, dim stairwells lit by flickering strip bulbs, and the cool blue-white flash of alien bioluminescence against black tower-block walls. The camera stays mobile and close, often handheld and tight on the teenagers as they sprint, tumble and scramble through estate courtyards, lifts and rooftops, with the occasional wide shot of the grey housing blocks under a smoky sky. Sound is a driving mix of grime and hip-hop beats, sudden silences before a jump scare, and the crack of fireworks layered over everything. The vibe is scruffy, streetwise and energetic, with a deadpan humour that keeps the menace from ever feeling heavy. Pacing is brisk and rarely lets up, and the emotional core is a group of kids who start out as menaces and gradually become a crew worth rooting for. Violence is frequent and cartoonishly brutal but not especially gory, with fear and tension for much of the runtime, some strong language, and cannabis use throughout. It suits a Friday night with friends or a late-night watch for people who like genre thrills with a sharp, local voice.
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