I have to give a sigh, not one of boredom and irritation but one of wonder and possibility. Out this week is a British movie that isn’t a costume drama, James Bond movie or gangster flick. It was a gritty tale of life in the big city – the UK does that kind of movie well – but in this case, we had some aliens and comedy thrown into it too.
Directed by Joe Cornish of Adam & Joe fame, we join a gang of South London teens who mug a nurse Sam (Jodie Whittaker) on her way home. A light shoots from the night sky as they are in their criminal act and suddenly a strange creature is in their midst. The gang, led by Moses (John Boyega), chase after the being and kill it, mistakenly bragging all the way. Unfortunately, that isn’t the end of it for them. More aliens, larger and more venomous follow and decide to hunt the gang down in their tower block.
The mainly teenage cast keep you with them though it was tricky to feel complete sympathy after they start out mugging Sam. She in the end joins forces with them to try to defeat the aliens. Though the comedy can sometimes be hit and miss, you’ll be taken along on an exciting ride and, like I said, it’s novel to have an alien in a South London tower block.
Cherrydial 