Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa

ALAN PARTRIDGE : ALPHA PAPA

Director : Declan Lowney

Year : 2013

Genre : Comedy

Rating : ****

 

After an 11 year absence from our screens, the brilliant Steve Coogan revives his beloved character Alan Partridge for his cinematic debut, the hilarious 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa'. Continuing the story of the failed TV star now radio DJ, 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' is a fantastic treat for fans of both the character and indeed great comedy in general. Full of laugh out loud dialogue, a number of excellently directed scenes and classic Partridge-isms, the film is a love letter to a character who inspired much of the British comedy written today. While the film isn't as comedically flawless as the first series of 'I'm Alan Partridge' or the best moments from 'Knowing Me : Knowing You', 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' is still a damn good time at the movies and if you are a fan of the surreal, absurd and downright silly, then this film was made for you.

After failing to make it as a TV presenter and a successful author, Alan Partridge has now become one of the most popular DJ's on North Norfolk Digital radio. Happy in his job, Alan finally seems to have found a bit of stability in his life (mostly thanks to the help of his doting assistant Lynn). But his peaceful existence is soon interrupted when it transpires that the radio station has been bought by a multinational conglomerate and is being rebranded as Shape; a funky new show that appeals more to the younger generations. Facing redundancy, the DJ's of North Norfolk Digital fear for their jobs and try to impress the new managers, well, all except Alan of course whose ego and bloated self love blinds him from the imminent firing. However, as luck would have it, Alan's job is safe and instead, Irish DJ Pat Farrell gets the chop. Unfortunately, rather than leaving quietly with grace and his head held high, he refuses to go without a fight and armed with a shotgun, he takes the remaining DJ's hostage, even threatening to kill if his job isn't reinstated. It is now up to Alan Partridge to deal with the hostage negotiations and try to save the lives of his colleagues and friends. As the story grows and the media coverage becomes more intense, Alan becomes a household name and soon he is seen on every screen in the country. Just the way he likes it.

Unlike many other films based on a successful TV series, 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' manages to maintain the essence of the character and continue the vibe of the show while still remaining cinematic and clearly made to be seen on a big screen. The budgets may be higher and the production may seem more blaze, but thankfully, director Declan Lowney keeps the ingredients that made Partridge such a phenomenal comedic force in the 1990's. TV shows like The League Of Gentlemen and On The Buses have all tried to move from the small screen to the big screen and in the process, they have lost the alchemy that made the series' so entertaining. Now, I'm not saying that 'The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse' is bad in any way, it is just not as ambitious or as funny as the show that preceded it. Conversely, 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' is just as, if not funnier than the series that it follows and thankfully Steve Coogan doesn't play the character up in any way, well anymore than we are used to. Most importantly, Alan is still Alan; the same egotistical, misogynistic, mean spirited man whom we all adore and whom we all identify with in some strange, perverted way.

A low budget British comedy disguised as a Hollywood blockbuster, 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' contain scenes which are fantastically exciting and even perilious. There are moments where you are scared for the characters on screen and there are even points where the movie almost seems to edge into exploitation; but always with it's tongue firmly in it's cheek. It is completely good natured and is purely made to make people laugh and it succeeds spectacularly. Not since 'Despicable Me 2' have I heard such raucous laughter from an audience and it was an absolute joy to see people gasping for air and trying to stabilise their breathing after being winded by a particularly scabrous or vindictive quip. There is a good mixture between chuckles to big belly laughs in the movie and this contrast really help to make the central comedic scenes pack more of a punch. The screenplay is full of instantly quotable dialogue and fires jokes like a comedic machine gun. A barrage of constant laughter and a joy to see such an iconic character on cinema screens all help to make 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' ones of the highlights of the Summer.

To say that Steve Coogan is just perfect as Alan is obvious; he owns the character and no one in a million years could play the archetype as well as he could. It is not just the dialogue that makes Partridge so spleen burstingly funny. It is the body language, the rhythm of the speech and the ridiculous accent that makes the character so three dimensional. Anyone can do a voice but it takes a truly gifted comedian to create a separate entity; Peter Kay did it with Brian Potter, David Jason did it with Del Boy and Steve Coogan does it with Alan. The biggest joy for me as a huge Partridge fan is that the film gives a starring role for Alan's overworked aide Lynn, played fantastically by Felicity Montagu. Throughout the TV series, we see her being treated terribly by Alan and in this movie, she is finally given a chance to let him know what she really thinks about him. She is clearly loving every second on screen and it is a joy to see an actress having such fun with a role. As well as Lynn, Geordie Mike gets a cameo and even the obnoxious Dave Clifton gets some form of redemption by the end of the film. For Partridge lovers, this is what we have been waiting for, a film full of in jokes and references that only the maddest and eagled eyed of fans will notice. However, if you are unfamiliar with either the character or the TV show, the references in  'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa'  may completely go over your heads and may spoil your viewing of the movie.

At a brisk 90 minutes, the film doesn't outstay its welcome and while there are a few times when the movie appears to lose momentum, the comedic genius of Coogan and the snappiness of the screenplay distracts from any faults the film may have had. The action scenes are surprisingly thrilling and very well directed and there are a number of scenes which are genuinely emotional. It will be interesting to see how this film plays worldwide because I have a feeling that it will get very mixed reviews from the American critics especially, who are not familiar with both Partridge and the overt British humour. Back here, it has done exceptionally well; critically lauded and making nearly £3 million pounds on it's opening weekend; beating both 'Percy Jackson : Sea Of Monsters' and the atrocious 'Grown Ups 2' to the hallowed number one spot. Who knew that a cheap British spinoff film would beat Adam Sandler at the box office? In your face Sandler, serves you right for making garbage! I really hope that this film isn't the swansong for Alan Partridge. British comedy has pretty much gone down the toilet now and we need people like Steve Coogan to reinforce our love of our own home-grown humour. I would not blame him for wanting to retire the character; it must be frustrating being recognised purely because of a fictitious person you play on screen. But please Steve, keep Alan going. He's too good not to. If however this is his final farewell, then god speed Alan Partridge; we will miss you.

'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' : JURASSIC PARK!