Diverse Position Sci-Fi

Week 12: Diverse Position Science Fiction

Attack the Block (2012) dir. Joe Cornish

            We first meet our heroes—who also happen to petty street thugs—when they rob a young nurse on her way home. The group of boys are a stereotypical picture of urban youth, in dark hoodies with switchblades, but they also have a great sense of humor and adventure and, in their own way, a subtle kindness. When an alien creature comes crashing through a parked car like a meteor, their boyish curiosity and tendency for violence comes out as they prod it, chase it, beat it to death, then drag it around the neighborhood like a prize.

            Killing and stashing the creature turns out to be a horrible mistake, as it turns out to be a pheromone-ridden female and the target for a massive invasion of the fearsome male creatures. The boys end up making an unlikely ally with the nurse when they take refuge in her apartment, all in the same building they live in also known as “The Block”. The leader of the group, Moses, a stone-faced kid who won’t even apologize to the nurse for robbing her saves the group multiple times with his knowledge of hiding spots and fighting techniques (no doubt learned from his thuggish behavior).

            The movie is speckled with fast-paced humor in engaging South London slang, through this band of unlikely characters that are very believable and consistent in their personalities. That’s why it’s so terrifying that not all of them will survive this attack. This movie has some genuinely frightening and violent moments that leave the viewer anxious for the boys’ safety, all the while playing with the concept of “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” sentimental moments.