Attack the Block

One of the most imaginative and energetic spins on the alien invasion genre in years comes from first-time feature director Joe Cornish and a gaggle of mostly unknown young actors. A group of slang-slinging boys in the London ‘hood, led by the charismatic Moses (John Boyega), square off against a posse of blind, gorilla-like aliens in a battle to save the world, or at least the part of it occupied by their downtrodden housing project. Cornish’s pace is relentless and his script is loaded with choice one-liners delivered by brave but wet-behind-the-ears street warriors. Even more impressive are his resonant observations about class warfare and the prison-like nature of the public housing block. Attack the Block rewards both deep and superficial viewings, and it’s a hell of a good time. –Matt Semansky