Attack the Block

Name: Attack the Block
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Released: July 29, 2011
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Alex Esmail, Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 227 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 227 Ratings

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Attack The Block

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Movie Details & Credits

Screen Gems | Release Date: July 29, 2011 | R

Starring: Alex Esmail, Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega

Summary: Attack the Block is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. It turns a London housing estate into a sci-fi playground. A tower block into a fortress under siege. And teenage street kids into heroes. It’s inner city versus outer space. (Optimum Releasing)

Director: Joe Cornish

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 88 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Joshua Rothkopf

Jul 26, 2011

Starring a tough-minded band of scrappy teens who actually do some solving, it's the movie "Super 8" wanted to be - or should have been. Read full review

Mark Holcomb

Jul 26, 2011

The smartest, funniest cheap monster-movie import this side of June's "Trollhunter," Attack the Block is a near-perfectly balanced seasonal trifle: Anchored in social realism yet determinedly goofy, it's neither too eager for laughs nor overtly preachy. Read full review

Peter Travers

Jul 28, 2011

It's hot, fierce, funny, vicious and ready to bite, baby. Read full review

David Rooney

Jul 24, 2011

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

Rene Rodriguez

Sep 1, 2011

The movie is more interested in making viewers consider its disenfranchised protagonists from a fresh perspective. The fact that the film accomplishes this without a trace of gooey sentimentality is a small miracle. Read full review

Movieline Stephanie Zacharek

Jul 28, 2011

The picture's finale isn't as smart as it ought to be. Cornish tries to make a damning social statement, but the only thing you take away from the movie is how cool it is to kick alien ass. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Jul 28, 2011

Attack the Block is the other alien-invasion movie opening today, the lousy one, the one from Britain. In Britain, it's probably just a regular bad movie, but here - with accents that are barely comprehensible and in-jokes about council flats, not to mention a swerving handheld camera and some of the cheapest effects since "Night of the Lepus" - it's surprising this thing ever got released. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheSmoldier

Feb 18, 2012

I feel like people should ignore most of the slightly-negative reviews this film has garnered. People seem to accept that AtB is a tightly made blast of a movie, but get turned away by the characters' petty-criminal beginnings. The film in no way condones what the characters do, and neverI feel like people should ignore most of the slightly-negative reviews this film has garnered. People seem to accept that AtB is a tightly made blast of a movie, but get turned away by the characters' petty-criminal beginnings. The film in no way condones what the characters do, and never simply forgets that their actions early on are inexcusable. Where normal heroes would simply start off admirable, and continue that way, AtB gives us people we begin disapproving of, and challenges us to come around over the film's duration, just as it challenges them to acknowledge, understand, and ultimately regret their actions.

Go see it, it's great fun.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

PumpkinCellar

Dec 1, 2011

One of the best films to get to the cinema in years. Absolutely refreshing change to the tired old Hollywood clichÃ©s. Captures youth culture and class inequality perfectly. A clever film with enough humour and atmosphere to keep you enthralled from start to finish.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DumDumDugan

Nov 13, 2011

Definitely one of the better movies I have seen recently. Its nice to see a summer movie that doesn't just focus on huge amounts of action and massive explosions with boring characters and very little character development. It's a mix of action, horror and comedy with an interesting plot andDefinitely one of the better movies I have seen recently. Its nice to see a summer movie that doesn't just focus on huge amounts of action and massive explosions with boring characters and very little character development. It's a mix of action, horror and comedy with an interesting plot and setting, a good script, some great acting. A great directorial debut from Joe Cornish and hope to see more from him and the cast of actors in the future.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

j30

Nov 13, 2011

Attack The Block is an extremely entertaining movie that deserves the same praise Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz received.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drlowdon

Feb 25, 2018

When a group of teenagers attack and kill an alien creature they end up getting more than they bargained for.

Attack the Block in an alien invasion movie by way of TV show “Misfits”. The plot is pretty simple but everything moves along at a good pace, the special effects are well done andWhen a group of teenagers attack and kill an alien creature they end up getting more than they bargained for.

Attack the Block in an alien invasion movie by way of TV show “Misfits”. The plot is pretty simple but everything moves along at a good pace, the special effects are well done and the performances from people such as John Boyega and Jodie Whitaker (who have both gone on to have successful careers) are very good which all makes for a pretty entertaining film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rikiege

Dec 7, 2012

The alien movies will never be the same.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

lamp_shadow

Sep 15, 2014

This movie teases you initially with extraterrestrial comeuppance being visited on thuggish criminals and deftly defies your expectations by centring the plot firmly on them and their triumphs. Unfortunately at that point you're left with zero empathy for the protagonists and the filmThis movie teases you initially with extraterrestrial comeuppance being visited on thuggish criminals and deftly defies your expectations by centring the plot firmly on them and their triumphs. Unfortunately at that point you're left with zero empathy for the protagonists and the film settles into a waiting game whereby time passes while you continuously hope they meet unfortunate ends. The humour present in the film doesn't counterbalance this deep central flaw.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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70	#70 Best Movie of 2011
82	#82 Most Discussed Movie of 2011