Four Lions

Four Lions

What do you have when you cross terrorists with comedic situations?  You get a rather funny movie with some dark humor. 

Four Lions is about a group of Islamic terrorists that’s seem to not get anything right in their plans to strike terror in England.  Every attempt to be badass terrorists, they screw up every attempt. 

The movie is set in the real world with the bumbling terrorist being nearly slapstick.  It is an interesting take on the serious subject of terrorism.  I like the way the movie handles the serious stuff with the comedic stuff.  It is balanced between a drama and comedy. 

The 2/3 of the movie is clearly a darker take on The Three Stooges and some of the more modern British comedies.  There is clearly a lot of riffing and off the cuff moments throughout the film.  Yet, there is a central theme of these terrorists trying to

One of the more serious aspects of the film has to do with leader of the Four Lions.  He has a wife and child and they are both well aware of his need to be a terrorist and support him.  His wife is very supportive of his actions.  It gives the movie a very serious spin.  I did think they should have explored this subplot a bit more.

The movie takes a turn for the serious toward the third act when the group decides take out a Marathon.  The acting goes from being silly to some down right intense moments with some nice drama.  Pretty much all the main actors and actresses are wonderful.

The movie will turn some people off with the serious subject matter mixed with some goofy moments.  However, I really enjoyed the movie and the way it handled the terrorist issues.  The movie never tries to hit you over the head with a message, there is one, but wraps the message in a story and funny moments. 

Grade:  B