In.A.Dash.Media

I attended an advance screening of ‘Attack the Block’ a film written and directed by Joe Cornish and this year’s SWSX favorite and it’s not hard to see why. One word. AMAZING. The movie takes place in South London, where a bunch of up to no good teenage boys have to battle aliens to protect their block. The tagline ‘Inner City Meets of Outer Space’ is so central to the movie’s theme because the setting plays to the movie’s true to reality charm.

After killing the first alien, they triumphantly carry the carcass around the neighborhood only to find there are more, way more. Armed with fireworks, bats, swords, knives, bikes, clever one-liners and their brave leader, Moses, played by John Boyega, they make it their mission to kill them. Through a cast of relatable characters the story unfolds into a night with so many twists and turns, and unexpected outcomes you can’t help but laugh out loud, squeal, and thoroughly enjoy yourself. The film is considered ‘low budget’ by Hollywood’s standards but it blows most of these big budget green lighters out of the water.

It starts off with a mugging and I thought it was going to be another banal racially charged storyline but I was wrong. It had the perfect mix of social commentary, coming of age, action, adventure and human compassion. In such a limited amount of time and with such a sizable cast, the character development was evolved and the storyline was practical and true to the life of a South Londoner. It’s been a very long time since I actively enjoyed a movie experience and this is one not to be missed.

Check out Starr’s interview with lead actor John Boyega here

‘Attack the Block’ is out in select theaters on Friday.