{"id":8969,"date":"2010-08-30T05:55:04","date_gmt":"2010-08-30T04:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.filmdetail.com\/?p=8969"},"modified":"2010-08-30T06:08:46","modified_gmt":"2010-08-30T05:08:46","slug":"uk-dvd-blu-ray-releases-monday-30th-august-2010-four-lions-sherlock-bbc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filmdetail.com\/2010\/08\/30\/uk-dvd-blu-ray-releases-monday-30th-august-2010-four-lions-sherlock-bbc\/","title":{"rendered":"UK DVD & Blu-ray Releases: Monday 30th August 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Four Lions<\/a><\/strong> (Optimum):\u00a0When\u00a0this project was first announced, it promised to be another taboo-shattering project from Chris Morris, one of the most brilliant satirists of his generation.<\/p>\n

After pioneering work in radio (On the Hour<\/a>) and television (The Day Today<\/a>,\u00a0Brass Eye<\/a>) which lampooned media and politics with diamond-sharp precision, it seemed like a bold and fascinating prospect.<\/p>\n

Set in an unnamed northern town, it centres around four disenchanted young men: Omar (Riz Ahmed<\/a>) is the unofficial leader determined to become a martyr for oppressed Muslims around the world; Waj (Kayvan Novak<\/a>), a recruit who essnetially does what Omar says; Barry (Nigel Lindsay<\/a>), a white Islamic convert obsessed with operational detail; and Faisal (Adeel Akhtar<\/a>), who struggles trying to train crows to fly bombs through windows.<\/p>\n

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For the most part, the feature directorial debut of Morris is highly impressive. The comedy is rooted in detailed research which gives it an uncomfortable authenticity, whilst also providing some stand out set-pieces.<\/p>\n

The performances are excellent, managing to convey the arrogance, ambition and stupidity of extremists, with Riz Ahmed especially good as the ringleader.<\/p>\n

As the film moves into its final third, it manages to combine comedy with the more troubling realities of terrorism, which is an impressive juggling act by the filmmakers.<\/p>\n

It isn’t as ingenious or as polished as Morris’ previous work, but as satire it manages to process one of the darkest contemporary problems with a rare tact and skill.<\/p>\n

Extras include:<\/p>\n