Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Attack the Block Blu-ray Movie Review

Close Encounters of the furry glow-in-the-dark kind.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 9, 2011

Welcome to the end brother.

The unusual and the fantastical has long since been a staple of fiction, be it on page or on the screen, both large and small. Man has an innate draw to experience the abnormal, the scary, the worst case scenario from the comfort of his own chair, tucked safely away in a theater, a living room, on the back porch, or out on the beach. Fiction is the ultimate escape from reality, and there's no doubt that 21st century fiction, at least so far, favors a look into the destruction of man and his environment by multiple means, whether his normal way of life is upset by a virus, an EMP blast, zombies, vampires, and even aliens. Attack the Block is the latest in the ever-expanding sub-genre of world-threatening attack flicks. It's a localized story of an alien invasion and the battle to repel the beasties by a group of London hoodlums bent on protecting their turf at all costs. It's quite the unusual picture. It's not in the same vein as more straightforward alien invasion movies like Battle: Los Angeles; instead, it's a more playful picture that focuses on real-world, untrained, unprepared, confused, and frightened people who must do battle with something they don't know, armed only with their wits and whatever weapons they may find along the way.

Defenders of the block.

The setting is London, England. Hoodlums rule the streets, mugging at will and fearful only of being caught by the police. One such group, led by the stalwart and street-smart Moses (John Boyega), successfully mugs a scared young lady named Sam (Jodie Whittaker), but she's spared more than just the loss of her ring and her money when a meteor, a stray firecracker, something, crashes into and destroys a nearby car. Sam manages to get away when Moses turns his attention to the crash. He finds in the car a frightening beast, the likes of which neither he nor anyone in his group have ever seen before, which he promptly kills and parades around town as a grotesque trophy. They take their kill to local pot growers Ron (Nick Frost) and Hi-Hatz (Jumayn Hunter), hoping to keep the beast in their fortified growing area for safekeeping while they try to figure out how to cash in on their good luck. Those ideas of fortune and glory quickly disappear when they realize that they're facing more than a one-of-a-kind freak. As more creatures drop from the sky, Moses and his gang -- soon again teamed up with the reluctant Sam -- must learn what they're dealing with, figure out how to stop it, and save their block, all the while avoiding the clueless local police department that can't seem to understand the reality and gravity of the situation the gang is trying so desperately to alleviate.

Attack the Block may not be the end-all, be-all of Alien Invasion movies, but its unique take on an old story, not to mention its uncanny ability to play as both a serious and a light picture at the same time, make it a welcome addition to the genre canon and a must-see for anyone who fancies these types of pictures. However, it's the sort of movie that requires the right expectations to fully enjoy. This isn't an ultra-loud, visually chaotic, stylistically polished shoot-em-up. Instead, it's a balanced look at an attack from the ground level and involving people who may not be the most relatable bunch ever to grace the screen, but who capably turn from zeros to heroes in the film's brisk sub-90 minute runtime. There's not a lot to the movie. It's a few chase scenes mixed in with moments of plot exposition and character development, but the movie knows its limits and its place. It all comes in a balanced, highly watchable package. It stretches the limits of believability in a few places -- aside from the whole "alien invasion" angle -- but it never becomes a frustration nor does it ever completely ignore the rules of common sense.

Ultimately, it's Attack the Block's ability to elevate itself well above what its premise dictates it should be that is its best asset. On the surface, "hoodlums versus aliens" sounds like the plot of a bad TV movie or an unnecessary franchise-stretching sequel (Leprechaun in the Hood, anyone?), but in the hands of Director Joe Cornish, the film proves to be a well-made and entertaining little slice of fantastical cinema, a picture that's all about easy entertainment and that comes without much need for anything else. Technically, the movie fails to create a wider sense of chaos and it leaves a few stones unturned, but the laser-like focus on its limited range and small collection of characters actually gives the movie more breathing room and plenty of opportunity to flesh out the players. The constricts of the storyline don't allow for more broad and traditional narrative and expository elements, but that sense of first-hand confusion and dealing with an unknown and ever-growing chaotic situation only makes the movie more appealing in context. Its shortcomings, then, are often sources of strength. It doesn't reveal too much and there's room to argue that it's perhaps a bit too vague by the end, but that sense of immersion into a contained area actually gives the movie a more complete feel than it might have enjoyed if there was a more tidy structure and traditional all-is-revealed style.

Attack the Block Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Attack the Block lands on Blu-ray with a proficient and pleasing 1080p Blu-ray transfer. Sony's image yields a positive film-like texture; it's nicely detailed and accented by a light layer of grain. However, faces often have a slightly pasty, undefined look to them, but considering just what a dark image this is, there's little room for brilliant definition to begin with. Still, wet pavement, building façades, and clothing textures as seen in the well-lit apartment buildings look as good as any high quality Blu-ray out there. Colors aren't terribly bright, but as noted this is a relatively dark image. They're well balanced and natural when in adequate light to appreciate what's there, and the glow-in-the-dark creature teeth really shine no matter the setting. Unfortunately, blacks sometimes border on crush and sometimes gravitate towards an unwanted shade of dark gray. The print is in perfect condition, yielding no evident scratches or dirt, just as expected of a brand-new release. Light banding is visible in a few shots, but other maladies are absent. It's not the most attractive image by its very nature, but this is another handsome, well-constructed transfer from Sony.

Attack the Block Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Attack the Block isn't all about wild sound, incessant effects, and endless explosions. Nevertheless, there's plenty to enjoy about Sony's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is wide and spacious, gently natural in movement and slightly more aggressive when need be. Music is full and satisfying, crisp and accurate throughout the entire range. The track yields plenty of directional effects, notably in the form of fireworks popping all over the listening area early in the movie and later zipping from side to side and front to back. General ambience is quite good, too; even the most indistinct but mood-crucial effects help to bring out the most in every scene, no matter what it has to offer. Bass is well-pronounced but never overexerts itself. Dialogue is center-based and never becomes lost under any surrounding and supportive elements. This isn't a world beater to be sure, but it is a sound, well-balanced, and highly immersive presentation that supports the movie quite well.

Attack the Block Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Attack the Block arrives on Blu-ray with a mammoth assort meant of extra features, headlined by a trio of audio commentary tracks and an hour long documentary.

• Audio Commentaries: Attack the Block contains three audio commentaries. There's a "Junior Commentary" with Writer/Director Joe Cornish and Actors John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Simon Howard, and Leeon Jones; a "Senior Commentary" with Writer/Director Joe Cornish and Actors Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway, and Nick Frost; and an "Executive Producer Commentary" with Writer/Director Joe Cornish and Executive Producer Edgar Wright. Each commentary proves a worthwhile endeavor, particularly for the film's biggest fans. It's perhaps a little overboard, but kudos to Sony and the cast and crew for putting so much effort into giving fans the most thorough collection possible. Oddly enough, the bright spot across all three comes at the very beginning as Cornish and his younger actors discuss what they like and don't like about "DVD" commentaries. The tracks contain a general assortment of information, with discussions revolving around the casting process, the things that make the film work, the ins-and-outs of the script, life on a movie set, technical information, and much more. The tracks are very well-balanced and, given the time, each is worth a listen.
• Behind the Block (1080p, 1:01:23): This is a fun and incredibly comprehensive look at a movie about "an attack on the block" takes viewers into the casting process, shares the details of the shoot, offers a raw glimpse into life on the set, examines the process of filming various scenes, and plenty more. This piece does a fantastic job of transporting the viewer from the living room to the set. Fans will love this authentic look into the making of Attack the Block.
• Creature Feature (1080p, 20:09): A detailed look at the making of the film's creature effects.
• Meet the Gang (1080p, 4:08): This supplement introduces audiences to the film's young stars.
• Unfilmed Action (1080p, 4:59): A look at some of the cutting choices that were necessary to finish the picture under budget. The piece is accompanied by various storyboard sequences and supporting audio.
• That's a Rap (1080p, 2:23): Cast members create a piecemeal rap tune.
• Theatrical Trailers (1080p): U.K. (2:06) and U.S. Red-Band (2:42).
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live.

Attack the Block Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Attack the Block plays like a scrappy little underdog. It's not the biggest or most complex movie out there, but it's honest, comfortable with itself, and most important, entertaining. It's not a movie that's going to redefine a genre or kick the already saturated alien invasion movie market into another, heretofore unrealized, gear, but it's a solid entry into a crowded field, and its different take on an old story gives it a boost that just another "blow stuff up" movie couldn't deliver. Sony's Blu-ray release of Attack the Block features solid video and audio to go along with a healthy assortment of extras. Recommended.