Attack the Block, starring John Boyega and Nick Frost

Here's the thing, alien invasion movies have become so tiresome over the years it's like they've all been pressed out of a genre conveyor belt. Even something like Cowboys & Aliens, a big budget debacle with no shortage of superstar talent, fell pray to rote dialogue and cliche. Don't even get me started on that generic fluff Battle: Los Angeles.  Enter Attack The Block, the festival darling that critics have been buzzing about for what seems like forever. Directed with gusto by the relatively unknown Joe Cornish, the film is essentially a love letter to the science fiction of our youth, and pulpy urban smash-ups from the likes of Walter Hill(The Warriors, Streets of Fire). Attack the Block is a the type of transformative flick that has cult status written all over it.

Gone are the stoic, whitebread American heroes defending the planet over some tired notion of altruism.  In their stead are a ragged crew of South London street thugs, led by the dark and charismatic Moses(newcomer John Boyega). Kicking off with the gang mugging Sam(Jodie Whittaker), a nurse who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Meanwhile an alien arrival is taking place amidst the roar of overhead fireworks. Distracted by the presence of one of the shadowy creatures, they hunt it down and kill it coldly. Their act of seemingly callous violence brings violent retribution throughout their neighborhood, with the least likely of heroes forced to defend their block.

Cornish, making his energetic directorial debut, seems to have found a kindred spirits in his fresh faced cast. In particular Boyega, who has the powerful features of a leading man with a harder edge. Authenticity wins out, and the natural manner in which all of the young stars related to eachother is something that can't be faked. It's not often that someone like Nick Frost can be considered a calming influence in any film, but the Shaun of the Dead star is used sparingly and efficiently as a clueless local drug dealer.Whittaker isn't merely window dressing or a woman looking to be rescued. She's tough and just as fearless as the thugs she's forced to work with. All of these characters have layers to them that feel genuine.

The pace rarely slows, and in the few moments when it does the powerful techno funk soundtrack stays amped. Cornish's script is light, but manages to seamlessly weave in themes of social injustice, the circular nature of inner city violence, and loyalty. You'd never know this was Cornish's first feature. He has the deft direction of a veteran filmmaker, and seems to specialize in multiple styles, all of which are utilized to maximum effect. Long tracking shots instill tension and fear as the glowing fangs of the alien beasts stalk their victims.The creatures are simply, but effectively designed. They look like furry shadows with monstrous razors for teeth. Yet they aren't totally terrifying. The creatures look like something Spielberg would've dreamed up in the 1980s, and in fact there are lot of touches that will remind you of some of his classics like E.T. and Gremlins. So...yeah, it's like E.T. mixed with The Warriors. As crazy as that sounds, it works.

Having so much attention from the smart marks of the festival circuit can have drawbacks. The film has been hyped to a ridiculous degree, and if it fails to find a box office niche here in the States you'll get the usual outcry over another great film crushed by the mainstream Hollywood machine. In this case I might be one of those people. Attack the Block is a breath of fresh air. Tell those friends of yours who only go to the movies when the latest Transformers or superhero movie comes out to take a chance on this instead.