ATTACK THE BLOCK
Rating: R
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MSRP: The Blu-ray is set at $35.99, the DVD is $30.99. A lower price can probably be had if you sneak into a shameful mega-retailer. Amazon has the blu-ray for $22.99.
Running Time: 88 minutes
What’s Going On?
It’s like that exclusive, nameless club that no one can find, but everyone is talking about. ATTACK THE BLOCK earned widespread raves but only a small audience, suffering greatly from its limited release. A new invasion classic, ATTACK pits UK street toughs (that phrase is true blue hipness, I know) against a horde of aliens who resemble Rorschach ink blot monsters that swallowed a pack of glow sticks.
Who’s In It:
The mostly young cast is led by John Boyega, with Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadway, and Alex Esmail. Frost is producer Edgar Wright’s frequent co-conspirator so his appearance feels compulsory, enjoyable, but compulsory. Boyega is fresh to the second oldest profession and on the rise after his commanding turn as Moses, the gang’s leader, not…”of biblical fame”.
If You Like…:
THE GOONIES, small scale invasion stories, and British street language that toes the line between poetry and gibberish–this movie was made to love you.
Special Features:
Five featurettes including, “Behind the Block”, “Unfilmed Action”, and “Meet the Gang”. Three commentaries are included: one with the cast and writer/director Joe Cornish, one with just Cornish and Nick Frost, and one with Edgar Wright and Cornish. No, there is no track with Wright and Frost. Yes, I know.
The Technical Gist:
I’m a fan of smallish budget sci-fi films like SERENITY, SUNSHINE, and MOON because they don’t overuse special effects to blot out the story or the remarkably human performances that often live within the genre. The downside to this is that these films don’t really offer any goodies when they move to Blu or DVD. In short: It’s visually sound, maybe even pretty, but it sure ain’t breathtaking.
The Verdict:
The abundant special features help hook #Blockheads who were lucky enough to catch ATTACK in theaters. If you haven’t seen ATTACK THE BLOCK yet, rectify that, bruv. What I mean by that is, BUY IT because one viewing is not enough. For more, check out Manny’s review of the film from this year’s LA Film Festival.
