Four Lions

You have got to admire the simplicity of this movie. While the goal for most films is to try and be as epic as possible, using expensive 35mm cameras and big-name actors, Four Lions sticks to the basics. It's a character-driven plot that kindles empathy towards it's main characters, who happen to be as stubborn as they are incompetent. The actors who play them are relative nobodies, but they're good, real good. In fact, they're so likable that it's impossible not to root for them, regardless of the fact that their whole goal in this film is to commit a devastating act of terrorism.

Yes, this laughingly controversial film tells the story of five English Muslims who bumble and argue their way through plotting a terrorist attack on London, tossing around such ideas as blowing up the internet, blowing up a mosque, or blowing up birds.

The great thing about this movie is that it's packed with jokes. When I think of a box office hit comedy like The Hangover, I think of long drawn out choreographed jokes. But Four Lions is rapid-fire back-and-forth like Fresh Prince playing Crossfire. But at no point does this movie laugh at itself. These guys mean business. They are serious Mujahideen soldiers who just happen to have a combined IQ of a walrus.

Who cares if there are some head-scratching moments in the plot. For example, Sofia (Preeya Kalidas) never once verbalizes an opinion towards her husband's (Riz Ahmed) fate. Sofia stays in the kitchen rolling dough and adding a pretty face to the male dominated cast, while her husband is in the living room planning ways to blow himself up. The fact that she's supportive of him when his comrades are aren't doesn't make any sense, but who cares, logic is for quantum physicians, not for these guys. Absolutely hilarious.

Stars: 5/5