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Attack the Block Review

Movies.com Critics

4.0

Dave White Profile

Bruvas 'R' Good Enough... Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    75

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The movie, which should have been titled "Defend the Block," illustrates once again that zombie, horror and monster movies are a port of entry for new filmmakers. The genre is the star.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    There's a vaguely Spielbergian quality to Cornish's skill at balancing the sense of shared adventure with genuine danger.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    There could be a few more scares and laughs, but it's a blast to be drawn into this urban ecosystem that is, to us Yanks, itself a bit alien.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Attack the Block reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

British sci-fi action movie is clever but gory, druggy.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this smart but violent UK alien invasion movie from some of the folks behind cult faves Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz features lots of cartoony sci-fi monster battles, with heavy gore (expect to see severed heads, spurting blood, limbs being torn off, and more). Language is likewise strong, with streetwise teens constantly using "f--k" and other words, and pot-smoking is a major event in the characters' lives -- some of the teens spend the entire movie stoned, and they hang out with a drug dealer who keeps a special room filled with pot plants. Beneath all of the iffy stuff, though, there are messages about working together and learning to respect others.

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. What effect does it have? How does it feel when characters die? Would it have a different impact if the movie had a more serious tone?
  • What does the movie have to say about inner city teens? Are they "bad" kids or "good" kids? What makes them do iffy things?
  • How does the movie portray drug use? What are some real-life consequences of similar activities?

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: Former adversaries learn to work together to battle a greater threat, and in the process they learn to respect and empathize with one another. They exhibit teamwork to triumph over some terrifying odds.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: Teamed up against a greater threat, the heroine holds a grudge against the muggers for a long while but eventually comes to see their true personalities, as well as their bravery. The street thugs eventually show themselves as good-hearted kids, with a great deal of built-in pride and bravery. Their leader especially turns things around with his selfless acts and heroism.

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: Strong (albeit cartoonish) sci-fi violence, with several battles against monsters from outer space. Monsters are killed, as are some humans; images include severed heads, face-ripping, throat-ripping, leg-biting, spurting blood, and other gory scenes. Viewers see knives, swords, guns, and various other weapons (including a rocket).

  • sex false1

    Sex: Occasional sexual innuendo.

  • language false5

    Language: Very strong, almost constant language, including nonstop use of words like "f--k," "s--t," "t-ts," "balls," "pube," and more.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false4

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Pot smoking is a major pastime in the teen characters' lives; some are stoned throughout the entire movie. They hang out with a drug dealer, who keeps a special room filled with pot plants.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.533
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

Attack the Block review by Jasmerrin
Fantastic. Proof that there is such a thing as a good sci-fi/horror/comedy.

5

ATTACK THE BLOCK by michel22
Great fun movie. Tarantino and Ritchie meet The Goonies.

5

by cmringle

5

Attack the Block review by Dana Jones
a new classic is born

5

by sach1022_fan

5

Great fun by jmaple4
This movie was a lot of fun and was well directed. Grab some buddies and watch this. I had a blast and enjoyed a movie that didn't pull it's punches.

5

Attack of the young Brits by rerabb
What a timely movie. Not only great unknown actors, but a movie that moves quickly and deftly with great writing and ok enough special effects.. the effects are not an essential aspect to this film. The coolest aspect to this film is the insight it gives to the underclass in Britain that is in fact rioting on a nightly basis as the film is out. In the case of the movie they are at war with alien monsters and the establishment. So one gets a timely look at the subculture that is in fact in open revolt in England right now. Otherwise still a great film

4

Surprisingly Entertaining And Lots Of Fun. by Alon Patterson
In my experience sitting out there in the audience day after day, and I mean that literally, it's not that often I get to see a film that keeps me so engaged I forget I'm watching. This one did. End to end, this little import plays like a Hollywood champ, made with a micro budget in comparison. That's talent, plainly speaking. Were it not for the rare indiscernible British dialogue, at least to my American ear, this film would have definitely gone into wider release. It's that good. This is what Super 8 might have been without the sanitized language and politically correct kids. I thoroughly enjoyed this film despite my occasional language difficulty. See it. It's well worth the ticket price. You won't be disappointed..

Read all Attack the Block reviews at Fandango
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