Four Lions

One of two problems that British films have suffered from in the last couple of decades is that they look too much like made for TV films . It's an obvious fault but perhaps an understandable considering that a massive amount of totally British financed movies were produced by Channel 4 films and have a production team who started off in television . The second oft quoted criticism is that a British film can't sustain its first half . Even a fairly successful critically acclaimed film like 28 DAYS LATER suffers from this . In which case FOUR LIONS whilst never looking truly cinematic does tend to buck the trend by picking up in the second half This is a film that courted controversy before it even opened . " How dare anyone even consider making a comedy film about terrorists " screamed the tabloids but the British press - unlike the twisted comedy genius that is Chris Morris - aren't known for their sense of humour . The humour in the first half of the film is relatively hit and miss . There's some occasional laughs but much of the jokes centre around a bunch of wannabe jihadists standing around talking to each other and the jokes start to wane This would have been the best half in most other Brit flicks but once their plan comes to fruition and decide to bomb the London marathon things start to pick up . Morris creates near the knuckle mean spirited humour at its darkest . People dying poignant violent needless deaths has never been funnier . And just remember it's only a film - no human beings, terrorists or honey monsters were harmed during its making

A film not given its full credit due to its "controversial" content. From rubber dingy rapids to blowing up the internet to Barry (the most extreme member of the gang) it is hilarious. Will probably come with an advisory warning in the near future and what a shame that will be. A MUST SEE

I was delighted to have stumbled upon Four Lions. This fast paced comedy / drama is quite controversial in that it mixes the serious subject matter of a sleeper cell of suicide bomber terrorists with dialogue that sounds like it has come straight out of any episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. It is hilarious and silly but somehow it never once escapes reality (like Spinal Tap does) so that we actually believe such bungling, misguided people like this might actually exist. It also portrays the jihadist as a human being with flaws, which is something some people simply might not want to contemplate, given the stereotypes that exist in the Fox News world. Each wacky scenario that is portrayed could actually happen, making this satire highly engaging (in a Slapshot fashion) and allowing us to feel for the characters. The violent ending leaves us wondering exactly what we were laughing at and why were we laughing at it. Four Lions is one of the most thought provoking films I have ever seen.

Chris Morris has never been one to shy away from subjects that others would call taboo or simply just wrong and that isn't going to change with his latest film 'Four Lions' the story of a group of wannabe suicide bombers. Not the most jovial of subjects I hear you cry, but how wrong could you be? For here we have not only a truly funny film but also a poignant one and one of the best British films of the last decade. Meticulous to detail Morris spent over five years researching the films central themes of terrorism and religion and a lifetime of studying human behaviour and it's only with this foundation that he, along with co writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong (Peep Show), could have made such a brilliant film. You will laugh and hard, then you will realise what it is you are laughing at take a breath and then laugh some more. In the same way that the recent American remake of Battlestar Galactica dealt in allegories of the war on terror, politics and human nature but just happened to be set in space 'Four Lions' just happens to be set in a terrorist cell and in his own admission Morris admitted that he wanted to explore group dynamics that could be found either in a football team, a club of sorts or the guys in this movie. It is so cleverly done that at no point is the film patronising or preachy it just makes you think about the absurd nature of how people think and what lengths they will go to for something they believe in. The film also contains some scenes of the gang spending normal time with their families, even discussing their plans with the children and it's in these scenes that we given over to the idea that they are ordinary people about to do something extraordinary. The cast play their roles, not only with great comic timing, but with an understanding of the subject matter that reflects in their performances. The script is so sharp that not only will you miss stuff on first viewing you will be quoting it for months to come. It is well shot and perfectly paced but let's not forget that this is satire of the highest order and in that there will be elements that might not appeal to all. But if you think you can stomach it then let me assure you that you will see one of the funniest films from one of Britain's most underrated and genuinely talented comedians. Rubber dingy rapids.

I remember the first time I saw this film, thinking it was one of the funniest I had ever seen, and I haven't seen many that have made me laugh as much since. Chris Morris is known for black comedy and 'Four Lions' is certainly fantastically dark. The plot, the characters, the dialogue - everything about the film is funny. The stupidity of the main characters combined with the absurdity of their plans make this a truly hilarious film and a great piece of entertainment. 'Four Lions' is a comedic gem. A rare naturally funny film that is guaranteed to make you laugh.

I missed this at MIFF 2010, but caught this today with Aidan, who's Canadian. The film is a black comedy about a small group of self proclaimed suicide bombers in England. Not the first subject to make people laugh, but Chris Morris is known for his satirical and often controversial TV programs does a reasonable job with what is tricky subject matter. The cast are very good in this and play the characters well, although I wonder if the portrayal of them as mainly being a bit stupid doesn't reflect badly as a statement. But perhaps that's the point, these people aren't hardline radical extremists, they are pretty average people and average people don't really know anything about suicide bombing. The film is for the most part quite entertaining, however as it drags on it becomes less so and in fact turns quite tragic as the men find themselves stuck with a dilemma of whether to carry out the plan or to give themselves up. What starts as a 'funny' look at the notion of suicide bombing, belief and religion, turns into a serious and disturbing look at the same. The film also faulters on it's length, running at 100 minutes, felt like too long, with the same joke about being dumb played over and over. There are some funny moments, such as Faisal doing different 'accents' to buy bleach or a small but great cameo from Julia Davis of 'Nighty Night' fame. But the comedy is few and far between and that means you are left with a film, that whilst I enjoyed more than I expected, I hoped to have enjoyed more. more of my reviews at my site iheartfilms.weebly.com

I knew that Four Lions was about an Islamic terrorist cell made up of "home grown" UK terrorists, I knew that it was a comedy, and I knew that the man behind it was Chris Morris, a man whose TV satire can sometimes be a bit too savage for its own good. And this film is a bit savage, too. But, let's be fair, it is very, very funny. The film takes the form of a fly on the wall style documentary, following a mismatched group of Muslims - sincere family man Omar, moderate idiot Fessal, complete idiot Waj, diffident Hassan, and psychotic idiot firebrand convert Barry. Barry's master plan is to inflict jihad on a mosque to that Muslims will rise up because they will think Jews did it. This film is uncomfortably close to home, and never mocks Islam, although it does mock the way some people interpret Islam for their own ends. But it also mocks the police and the establishment. And, with the exception of Omar, who has a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish and why (one may not agree with him, but he is sincere and devout about his intentions), all the others are deluded to a lesser or (usually) greater degree. What happens in this film isn't funny in the slightest but, often, the way it happens is very funny indeed. I laughed out loud a lot, to my great surprise. But it is very, very, dark.

This is the sort of film at first glance you believe shouldn't work. Just looking at what it's meant to be, a parody/comedy about British Muslim terrorists. My first thoughts were 'Too Soon?'. But then I realised this is just a mockery on something that has had a big impact on us all. The film is based around a group of Jihadists that are planning to cause a terror attack on Britain but the group leading this attack is just full of oddballs which gives for great slapstick comedy and some memorable quotes that served the film well. Christopher Morris has done himself good with this film and the final ten minutes were really an eye-opener to me. I recommend that this film should be seen by people who won't take this film seriously, it's a gimmick. That's the only reason the film's story worked, if it wasn't funny the film raters wouldn't have let this film be shown. So take the 100 minutes or so to sit down and enjoy laughter all the way through. 9/10

Have just caught this on Film 4. In my humble opinion it is up there with " Monty Pythons Life of Brian" as a very funny satire on religious 'nutters'. The gag with the Crow had me in tears of laughter. Well done to Chris Morris, it shows up so called "home grown terrorists" for the pathetic (but dangerous) creatures they are. However this film is so funny it actually decreases the sometimes unfounded fear (whipped up by the tabloid press) that is instilled in the population. The acting is first rate. The cast play it seriously, which only emphasise the humour even more. Have since watched it again, and it's one you can return to repeatedly and still get the same laugh out loud experience. I feel very sorry for the poor reviewers that didn't get it!

Home grown Asian suicide bombers are not an obvious choice for Comedy. But Director Chris Morris makes a surprisingly good job of it in a work which is skilfully written and performed. The best humour has a ring of truth about it. And so it is true here. The plot moves from satire, to slapstick to straight forwards storytelling, and back, at quite a pace leaving the audience to make its own mind up about whether certain bits are intended to be funny, or just turn out that way. That ambiguity is probably the film's strongest suit. A strong cast of Jihadists struggle to get a team together, struggle to get to a Training Camp in Pakistan from which they are sent home in disgrace, indeed they struggle to complete any task successfully. Yet they are not portrayed as buffoons. Never before has Muslim culture been lampooned like this, yet Morris shows it in such a way that they are Everyman jokes and should not cause offence to anyone. The fact that this is low budget works to its advantage. The script and acting win and the documentary style filming gives it an authenticity which is vital for the humour to prosper. Riz Ahmed stars as Chief Jihadist Omar, but Nigel Lindsay steals the show as a Caucasian Muslim convert. Preeya Kalidas has a frustrating, underwritten role as Omar's wife. A nurse, and a mother we never really get her insight into the prospect of her husband, and father of her son, embracing martyrdom, even though she pokes fun at an over zealous cleric when he visits their home. At 100 minutes, the film ends when it needs to, in dramatic and compelling style and does not out stay its welcome. For some this will not be funny enough, for others it will simply be in poor taste. But we should be proud that this sort of comedy simply could not be made in America, and is the first cinematic attempt to deal with a relatively new, and disturbing, social phenomena.