Tuesday 29 June 2010

4 Lions

Chris Morris, writer for The Day Today and Brass Eye turns his attention to suicide bombing in his feature film debut. A move which has courted the controversy often associated with his output.

Typically, the film questions our views and assumptions about suicide bombers. The prejudices and injustice within society that might anger those more likely to be persuaded by jihad. What security is offered by our security forces and what is the cost? These questions and many more are raised in an engaging and sometimes emotional film.

It is also very funny. All but one of the terrorist cell are buffoons. They lark and pratfall about, constantly bickering with no real understanding of the faith they profess to follow. Many have failed to see the humour or contend that to laugh you must wilfully find it funny at the expense of the underlying messages. I would say it is perfectly possible to be moved while laughing and to laugh at the rediculous is not to miss the serious point being raised.

If you didn't like Brass Eye or The Day Today this won't be for you but this is right up in my favourite films of the year and I expect it will stay there. Funny, moving, engaging. I should have written the review before it left cinemas.

Tuesday 15 June 2010

The Losers

A bunch of special ops soldiers working for the CIA are framed during an operation. Stranded in South America they are offered assistance in reclaming their lives by a sultry femme fatale.

If this sounds like the opening spiel for the A-team you pretty much know what's going on here. This tries to update the much loved 80s show by adding some grit and modern sleekness but it falls short.

There's just enough witty repartee to entertain but not enough to make me care about the characters. They only shoot bad guys. Innocent parties in the way get tranquliser darts which seems cliched. The action is fun but mostly unspectacular.

The Losers are diverting, not dreadful but they could have been better than that. Guess I'll just have to wait for the real A-Team.