Attack the Block (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Tired of P

  
  Question: Have you ever walked down a dark street only run into a bunch of hoodlums and hope they aren't about to mug you? You think, "Why aren't they home, doing their homework, or playing video games?" Hoodlums? Did I really just use that expression? Holy cow,… More
  Question: Have you ever walked down a dark street only run into a bunch of hoodlums and hope they aren't about to mug you? You think, "Why aren't they home, doing their homework, or playing video games?" Hoodlums? Did I really just use that expression? Holy cow, I am getting old. Anyway, I will admit when I see a group of teenage boys hanging around on a corner, in a park or such, I automatically think they are up to no good. I don't base this on any experience of my own, but I think it's just inbred into us as we grow up - to think the younger generations are just going to make mistakes when in a pack. With that all said, the boys in Attack the Block are hoodlums that do attack innocent people and make the mistakes you think they will, however, if all hell breaks look you will WANT to want them by yourside. Did I just lose you all? Sorry, my vagueness rises again. But it's a must to keep you all in the dark about the story on this one...and it's just what I do in my reviews, right? Anyway, Attack the Block is a British film that I believe is destined to become a cult-classic. Why do I say that? Well, just look at the genre categories this movie falls under. It's a perfect recipe. And if my 12 year-old son was older, I know he would love this film, but I am not showing it to him for a few more years: lots of bad language, blood, violence and humor that will go over his head. (I know, I am such a mom.) However, I guarantee this will be on his list to see as soon as he catches a whiff of it. It was practically made for him (and his generation). So, here's the gist of the tale: A group of British teenagers, living in South London, with nothing better to do hangout on their neighborhood block. They make a mistake and there's payback. Drugs, guns/swords and lots of bad language are strewn throughout the story. Aliens are involved. Okay, that's it, no more details. However, if you are parent of a teenage boy, you may never trust what your son tells you again when they call you to tell you what they are up to or why they are late if you see this film. Except for Nick Frost, Simon Pegg's best bud, I didn't recognize any of the actors in Attack the Block, but they all did a fantastic job at taking this irreverent tale and making it completely believable. So, have fun watching this film; I surely did. My favorite thing: The two youngest boys. They had me in the giggles. My least favorite thing: That sometimes I couldn't understand all the British slang. Rating: R Length: 88 minutes Directed (and written) by Joe Cornish, Studio Canal, 2011. Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Luke Treadway, and Nick Frost. Genre: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi. Review: 9 out of 10

• Directors C

  
  An amazing and unique science fiction film featuring lots of black comedy, memorable characters crafted by a wonderfully picked "new" cast and thrilling action sequences. Attack the Block is even more than a best of British film with its memorable quotes, horror and humour.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones, Jumayn Hunter, Danielle Vitalis, Paige Meade, Simon Howard, Terry Notary Director: Joe Cornish Summary: When aliens attack a South London neighborhood, a teen gang pulls… More
  Cast: Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones, Jumayn Hunter, Danielle Vitalis, Paige Meade, Simon Howard, Terry Notary Director: Joe Cornish Summary: When aliens attack a South London neighborhood, a teen gang pulls together to protect their turf by any means necessary. But extraterrestrials prove far more formidable than anyone they ever jumped on the streets. My Thoughts: "I wasn't sure what the film was really about and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I ended up with was a great movie. The kids in the film were fantastic as was the massive gorilla-dog alien monsters. The glowing teeth was a nice touch. The movie is funny, has action, some horror, and a great group of characters. It didn't shy away with the bloody scenes either. All of it meshed really well together and Joe Cornish pulls off a great Sci-fi flick. I liked how Cornish has you feeling a certain way towards these kids in the beginning and how he quickly changes your mind by the end without you really realizing it. Great flick!" Sam: We should call the police. Pest: You'd be better off calling the Ghostbusters love.

• Lewis C

  
  Moses versus the monsters. Attack the Block is the most entertaining sci-fi action movie I've seen since Super 8. The two movies don't have much in common beyond main casts full of great youngsters and plots that revolve around aliens and dip briefly into deeper issues,… More
  Moses versus the monsters. Attack the Block is the most entertaining sci-fi action movie I've seen since Super 8. The two movies don't have much in common beyond main casts full of great youngsters and plots that revolve around aliens and dip briefly into deeper issues, but they're both examples of some of the best science fiction to be had in recent years. The movie veers from amusing to tense to serious, but every part of it works.

• Tim S

  
  I was unfortunately let down by Attack the Block, which I was assured by friends that it was pretty good, and based on the good word of mouth I had been hearing. The biggest problem with the film for me is the lack of attachment to any of the characters. I was under the impression… More
  I was unfortunately let down by Attack the Block, which I was assured by friends that it was pretty good, and based on the good word of mouth I had been hearing. The biggest problem with the film for me is the lack of attachment to any of the characters. I was under the impression that this film was a bit of a farce and I didn't have to take it too seriously, but I was wrong. In order for me to take it seriously, I need to get behind the characters, and I can't relate to a bunch of know-nothing south London thug wannabes with no redeemable values and extremely thick British accents. Usually accents don't bother me, but when people are talking a mile a minute, it's difficult to keep up with if you can't understand them clearly. The film also feels uneven. It never quite reaches the heights of enjoyment, and it all falls back on the characters and the way things are set up. No one is relatable so I don't care about any of them. On the positive side, the alien design is pretty cool, but it ends up being a waste. The only recognizable actor in the film is Nick Frost, and even he is underwhelming. The bottom line here is that Attack the Block has good intentions, but fails on a character level, a story level and also in tone. Had it been more comical, I probably would have enjoyed it.

• Anthony L

  
  Attack the Block is a story of redemption shown through the eyes of a few young hoodies who are under attack from extraterrestrials in a south London Council estate. What a fantastic idea! I think the film has been largely misunderstood by many of its critics, this isn't about… More
  Attack the Block is a story of redemption shown through the eyes of a few young hoodies who are under attack from extraterrestrials in a south London Council estate. What a fantastic idea! I think the film has been largely misunderstood by many of its critics, this isn't about race or class, it's about redemption. Joe Cornish is from London, as am I, and anyone who lives here will tell you that no matter where in London you live, there is a council block within a few roads from where you live, that is if you don't live in one yourself. Joe Cornish is writing about what he knows and where he comes from. Inner City vs. Outta space, the idea of aliens invading a neighbourhood like this instead of either landing in some middle-American cornfield or blowing up the White house is very refreshing. I think the issue a lot of people have though is with the kids themselves, Moses being the ultimate anti-hero. There are a lot of kids around London like the ones in this film, ma lot of them no where near as nice or as intelligent though, others unfairly stereotyped. It's certainly a problem that needs fixing. There is nothing quite as infuriating about being intimidated by a 12 year old kid and there is nothing as frightening than a 12 year old kid with a knife you doesn't care about anything. This makes it hard for us to cheer our 'Heroes' on in this film, for the most part I was hoping the Aliens would kill them all but then that wouldn't be very nice. Redemption and sacrifice may seem a little far fetched biased on the characters but it was a nice way to end the film and not an impossible concept in real life. Maybe I (and many others on imbd forums) have looked for a depth that isn't actually there and maybe it's just a cool idea - no one bitched like this with the original Assault on Precinct 13 which is essentially what this film is, albeit in saaaaaaf Laandaaan. 3 1/2 stars because I like the idea and I think it's a great directional debut, it's just not as good as it sounds, although I'd take this over Super 8 any day! One thing though, no Adam Buxton cameo?

• Jonathan H

  
  Competently made, but Attack the Block doesn't add up to much more than the sum of its parts. First time director Joe Cornish choreographs the action well, but after a while, I found myself thinking, "What's the point?" At best, this film is entertaining -- nothing… More
  Competently made, but Attack the Block doesn't add up to much more than the sum of its parts. First time director Joe Cornish choreographs the action well, but after a while, I found myself thinking, "What's the point?" At best, this film is entertaining -- nothing more, nothing less; at worst, it's a cinematic vision without much depth.

• Justin Y

  
  Joe Cornish brings aliens to London and turns <i>Attack the Block</i> into a science fiction success.<p>At only 80+ minutes, there isn't a whole lot of time to waste on a small-scaled alien invasion, which is why there isn't much in the way of an award… More
  Joe Cornish brings aliens to London and turns <i>Attack the Block</i> into a science fiction success.<p>At only 80+ minutes, there isn't a whole lot of time to waste on a small-scaled alien invasion, which is why there isn't much in the way of an award winning story; however, <i>Attack the Block</i> gets right to the point and keeps it going until the very end.</p><p>The design of the aliens is a highlight. Not only does it fit the definition of savage, but their look also takes advantage of the night setting and atmosphere. They also wreak havoc with some surprisingly bloody violence.</p><p>If there is a disappointing side to this picture, it has to lie with a good portion of the major characters. While somewhat growing with the film, these young teenage thugs are difficult to route for, even against the menacing aliens. Nonetheless, John Boyega is a pretty effective leader of the bunch. Jodie Whittaker is a delight as the innocent female dragged into the mess.</p><p><i>Attack the Block</i> isn't epic in any way, shape, or form, but it does entertain for its majority. Worth exploring.</p>

• Jacob E

  
  Well, this is proof that Brits do EVERYTHING better than Americans, isn't it? I haven't seen a film this briskly paced and jammed packed with fun AND horror in... Ever? I seriously think this might be the modern cult film ladies and gentlemen. I'm calling this now, but… More
  Well, this is proof that Brits do EVERYTHING better than Americans, isn't it? I haven't seen a film this briskly paced and jammed packed with fun AND horror in... Ever? I seriously think this might be the modern cult film ladies and gentlemen. I'm calling this now, but 10 years from now, people will talk about this movie the same way people talk about "Donnie Darko", in the sense that it's hideously underrated and should have done much better at release. The film starts with (almost literally) a bang and never really stops. It gives us opportunities to catch our breath from time to time. These scenes allow for character development and a LOT of great humor. This film does almost everything right. The only complaint anyone can lobby against this film is that the monster design is kind of cheap (they're made of pure black fur and have glowing teeth, that's it), but they're certainly serviceable and terrifying when necessary. Factor in that this is a director debut and it's more than worth the price of admission. Check it out bruv!

• Robert C

  
  A fun little sci-fi / horror film, that doesn't take itself too seriously to spite the fact that (for the most part) it is very well put together. While the basic premise is simple and the bulk of the plot points are not very original, there are enough clever, intense, gory… More
  A fun little sci-fi / horror film, that doesn't take itself too seriously to spite the fact that (for the most part) it is very well put together. While the basic premise is simple and the bulk of the plot points are not very original, there are enough clever, intense, gory moments and impressive acting to keep you engaged. It was really quite enjoyable.

• Brad W

  
  Attack the Block is a alien movie that is original in almost every way. Its a horror movie so there are some very tense and thrilling moments and actually scared me more than I thought it would. The comedy is pretty hilarious, there are many pop culture references which I love about… More
  Attack the Block is a alien movie that is original in almost every way. Its a horror movie so there are some very tense and thrilling moments and actually scared me more than I thought it would. The comedy is pretty hilarious, there are many pop culture references which I love about comedies. So many alien films take themselves too seriously but this movie is just having fun with what its given, and I'm surprised it went so well seeing as it had a very small budget. It was really hard for me not to love the film, there are so many different things to love and it felt so original and I can honestly see this as a cult classic in a few years, you all watch, I believe it will be. The story follows a gang of teens who try save their town by stopping an alien invasion after killing one. But they soon discover killing one alien will be much harder then killing an army of them. The plot was really simple which is one of the reasons I loved it. it was easy for everyone to just completely love with its great comedy and thrilling and scary moments. Its characters consist of a bunch of smart ass kids who I honestly thought were just incredible. This actually showed what true teens are like in a way, they think they are really tough and all we want is to be a hero of their town, everybody wishes they could get a chance to be a hero. They also were hilarious, you can tell they just play video games all day and try to be a tough gang, but end up turning out to be scared kids who just want to help their town. I thought they formed it to be fun for everyone who enjoys cheesy horror movies with some good comedy to make it an original storyline. The cast is a group of young actors and a few well known actors, either ways I liked them all. John Boyega plays the leader of the gang, I thought he played it very well and actually felt much sympathy for him because I could tell somehow he has just had a bad life, for a young actor you can tell he is going to be doing a lot more. Jodie Whittaker was actually my one problem with the film, she is the main female protagonist and it seemed like she was just there to whine and annoy us. Other cast members like Alex Esmail, Nick Frost, Franz, Drameh, Leeon Jones, and Howard Simon were all memorable and I loved their performances. Attack the Block has some aliens that at first I looked at them and was like WTF? But soon you grow to love how cheesy and original they look, and the characters constantly mock how they look so it made it even funnier. One small problem I did have however was that it starts off maybe a little TOO quick, I mean its just starts and in like three minutes an alien invasion just happens, we do not get to know the characters at all we just end up working with what we got, but soon I loved the characters so it was not a huge problem for me. This movie was like one big video game, it was bloody, dark, humorous and I can easily see it being a video game people would play. Alien movies either go two ways, they either suck like Battle: Los Angeles or they or very good like Spielberg's E.T. or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but Attack the Block take alien films to a whole new level of originality, its not as good as the Spielberg films but its sure is going to be a classic in a few years. This is a movie that is great for those who enjoy alien movies such as me, you will love how fun it is and at times scary it is, I highly recommend this.

• Chris W

  
  Blending together sci-fi, horror, action, comedy, stoners, and coming-of-age story, this is an energetic, creative, low-buget indie that is a blast to watch, and makes for quite an impressive directorial debut for Joe Cornish. The story takes places on Guy Fawkes Night and concerns… More
  Blending together sci-fi, horror, action, comedy, stoners, and coming-of-age story, this is an energetic, creative, low-buget indie that is a blast to watch, and makes for quite an impressive directorial debut for Joe Cornish. The story takes places on Guy Fawkes Night and concerns a group of rowdy, young, thuggish gang members who, after mugging an innocent woman, are confronted by an odd creature who suddenly falls from the sky. After killing it, they decide to somehow use it to make them famous so they take it to a drug dealer friend of theirs named Ron for advice. Soon after, more of these creatures begin arriving, and the film shifts into a tense story of survival as the gang hold up in their Block (apartment complex) to fend off an impending alien invasion. Based on the premise, this could have been nothing more than a cheap and silly B-Movie creature feature. However, the film, thanks to all involved though, this is a smart, fun, and creative ride that makes the most of its limitations and actually manages to mix all the various elements together quite well, making it more of a character study that happens to involve sci-fi monsters. The film has a cast of almost completely unknowns, save for a fun supporting role from Nick Frost as Ron. This, like many other things, works to the film's advantage, forcing a bunch of newcomers to prove themselves without getting to rely on a bunch of big names for support. They pull it off, especially John Boyega as Moses, the film's lead. I hope he has a long career ahead of him, because he shows great potential. The creature design is minimalist, almost amateurish, but that's okay becuase the creatures also have a unique look to them, namely their luminescent fangs. It also helps that the film takes the less is more approach and doesn't over do it by showing them too often with complete clarity. For a film about aliens, the film actually has a strong plot, and one where the aliens aren't really the full focus. It's about a group of characters who are not at all likeable, but because of various circumstances and situations, are given a legitimate chance to redeem themselves, learn a lesson, and change in a way that doesn't come off as forced or unnatural. Seriously. The characters are introduced in the worst way possible, and the film actually takes some time before they start to change. More films need to take note of stuff like this. The film has decent writing, surpringly assured direction, and a great sense of style. The cinematography is pretty nice, and like I keep saying, the film is creative with how it tells its story. The thick accents and the slang are perhaps a tad overdone and take some getting used to, but they don't render the film incomprehensible. If you pay attention to context, you can figure out things fairly quickly. I said the writing was decent, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. I mean, with a film like this, you do have to suspend disbelief, but I think that even then they could have handled some parts of the situation. At least the film did have some good social commentary and depth, even if it's a little unpolished and a tad unsubtle. All in all, I was quite surprised by this one, I had heard all the hype and praise, and that made me wary, and at first I myself wasn't totally won over, but in the end, this film proved itself worthy of all the great things being said about it. This one's a real gem that you should definitely give some attention to.

• Michael S

  
  "Attack the Block" is fresh, simple fun that completely succeeds as both a creature feature and comedy. The cast is incredibly likable and the direction and tone are spot-on. Most every recent Hollywood blockbuster can learn a great deal from the energy and style of Joe… More
  "Attack the Block" is fresh, simple fun that completely succeeds as both a creature feature and comedy. The cast is incredibly likable and the direction and tone are spot-on. Most every recent Hollywood blockbuster can learn a great deal from the energy and style of Joe Cornish's nimble-budgeted gem. Worth revisiting just to relive the excitement all over again.

• Aaron N

  
  Pest: That's an alien bruv, believe it.<br/><br/> Attack the Block is wholly original and entertaining, believe! I have recently seen Super 8 and Paul, which serve as fun films that do a lot to pay as much tribute as possible to Spielbergian-era films of the 80s… More
  Pest: That's an alien bruv, believe it.<br/><br/> Attack the Block is wholly original and entertaining, believe! I have recently seen Super 8 and Paul, which serve as fun films that do a lot to pay as much tribute as possible to Spielbergian-era films of the 80s (mostly), but Attack the Block is a film that acknowledges what similar genre films of the past have done and creates its own fresh take on an alien invasion story. While shot on a low budget with many new and young actors, this film far exceeds similar, recent alien invasion films, due to its level of authenticity and confidence one can glean from the filmmaking portrayed here. Coming from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block is a wonderful blend of sci-fi, horror, action, and comedy that I could only wish to see break out as a mainstream success, but will easily become a cult classic.<br/><br/>read the whole review at http://thecodeiszeek.com

• Tyler C

  
  After a lot of thinking, I don't think ATB is perfect, but it's still a helluva lot of fun, and it has the word "cult classic in-the-making" written all over it.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Attack the Block is electric, youthful and brimming with energy. The alien design is a particular triumph. Sadly, its teen protagonists are obnoxious, dimwitted thugs, an unshakable fact that makes it hard to root for these kids and even harder to like this modern British offering.… More
  Attack the Block is electric, youthful and brimming with energy. The alien design is a particular triumph. Sadly, its teen protagonists are obnoxious, dimwitted thugs, an unshakable fact that makes it hard to root for these kids and even harder to like this modern British offering. Jodie Whitaker plays Sam, the sole sympathetic character in the film. Continuing the 2010-2011 trend of predominantly electronic scores (The Social Network, Hanna, Drive, Contagion, among others), duo Basement Jaxx supplies the music for this action comedy. This, along with the quick pace and swift camerawork, makes Attack the Block sufficiently fun, but it would've been much more engrossing if we actually cared whether these idiots die or not.

• c0up  

  
  'Attack the Block'. An absolutely perfect blend of over-the-top, cartoony action and humour; witty and playful from start to finish. Has there been a better small scale Alien invasion film? Bravo, Joe Cornish! The slang of the London youth added an unbelievable amount of… More
  'Attack the Block'. An absolutely perfect blend of over-the-top, cartoony action and humour; witty and playful from start to finish. Has there been a better small scale Alien invasion film? Bravo, Joe Cornish! The slang of the London youth added an unbelievable amount of charm and humour to the affair, and the music, so so right, but I found the social commentary angle a little light on, especially when explicitly stated, and feel the film could have survived fine without it.

• Al S

  
  An insanely enjoyable and remarkable debut film from Director, Joe Cornish. A wickedly entertaining and flat-out awesome action-adventure comedy filled with science fiction and horror and just has fun with it without being a spoof. An instant classic. Alien invasions dont get much… More
  An insanely enjoyable and remarkable debut film from Director, Joe Cornish. A wickedly entertaining and flat-out awesome action-adventure comedy filled with science fiction and horror and just has fun with it without being a spoof. An instant classic. Alien invasions dont get much more fun than this. An inventive, sharp, smart and wildly original film. It`s filled with wild action, great comedy and wonderful characters. A fantastic ride from begining to end. A fast, exciting and very thrilling movie thats just a joy to watch.

• Zack B

  
  [short DVD review] Does exactly what you want it to do: fun, posh, creative with the gore, and not overly sentimental. Lags at times, and has a weird "oh, that's what's going on!" segment, but makes up for it with its pointed "why do our kids end up like… More
  [short DVD review] Does exactly what you want it to do: fun, posh, creative with the gore, and not overly sentimental. Lags at times, and has a weird "oh, that's what's going on!" segment, but makes up for it with its pointed "why do our kids end up like this?" message that doesn't get in the way of the sci-fi fun.

• Matt G

  
  Finally, the first great horror film of 2011, and quite possibly the best film of the year. Attack the Block is entertaining, scary, hilarious, and original. What makes this film so great is it's originality, which is defined by the films simple storytelling of what would happen… More
  Finally, the first great horror film of 2011, and quite possibly the best film of the year. Attack the Block is entertaining, scary, hilarious, and original. What makes this film so great is it's originality, which is defined by the films simple storytelling of what would happen if an alien invasion occurred in a dark, dangerous hotel complex. Attack the Block is not well known, and it is a disappointment because I would expect mainstream audiences to love a film like this, but many American's most likely won't understand the British humor (and the very strong British accents). Nevertheless, Attack the Block is a very great film that is destined to become a cult classic. Attack the Block is the simple story of a group of dangerous and stupid misfits who, after robbing an innocent woman, find an alien in a car, and kill it. Soon after a lot of commotion happens, the boys befriend the girl, and aliens begin attacking their block (apartment building). Sounds pretty simple right? Wrong. Throughout this one night, there are several gang fights, human emotion, and lots and lots of alien blood. The main character, Moses, is the main focus of the film and we are focused on his emotional transformation throughout. In this review, I will not say anything negative about this film, because there is nothing negative to say about this film. To me, this is the kind of experience I want at the movies each and every time. This film is unbelievably funny throughout, and quite scary actually. I'll admit, I jumped at a few of these alien pop-outs. But all-together, what we have here is something incredibly special and very, very original, very funny throughout, well-acted, and perfect in every single way, shape, form, or alien. For a debut, Joe Cornish does amazingly perfect in every way. He makes all the right shots, and seems to know exactly what he's doing and should have other independent filmmakers scratching their heads and making better films (I'm talking to you, Wayne Wang). We are also very lucky to have the great Edgar Wright as an executive producer on the film, and his frequent film star Nick Frost, who is downright riotous as a drugged out flatmate. The film is well-written and well executed and I am glad I saw it (twice already!). I realize that there isn't much to say when you have yourself a perfect movie, so I shall rap up here. Attack the Block is awesome, that's it, it's just plain fun and excitement for everyone and has great effects on such a low budget. We are presented with fantastic performances, a stellar soundtrack, and a smart, funny, well written script. With all that said, we additionally have a very strong directorial debut from Joe Cornish that makes me wonder what his future projects will be. Ultimately, Attack the Block is simply brilliant and by far the best film of the year. Highly recommended. Note: After 20+ times watching this film, it has became my favorite of the year.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings