"A year after that was taken, the angels took her."
"Must have been a few of them."Not only is the Alan Partridge movie true to the TV incarnation, it is also - thankfully - wonderfully funny. By taking on the Hollywood siege genre and applying it to the relatively mundane settings of Norfolk and North Norfolk Digital Radio (rather like Shaun Of The Dead's take on zombie films), it allows the Partridge character to be his recognisable self as well as enabling some inspired takes on conventions, such as Alan becoming the police/hostage go-between and the car chase at the end. The regular characters are also wonderful: Felicity Montagu is as always a true delight as Alan's PA Lynn, and although Simon Greenall's Michael gets disappointingly little screen time, what is there is hilarious. Colm Meaney was cast well as the sacked-DJ hostage-taker, providing an effective mix of menace, pathos and comedy to play against Partridge. It is however entirely to Steve Coogan's credit that he sustains the character over a whole movie with a confident and nuanced performance that is immensely enjoyable to watch. There are so many funny lines, visual gags and ridiculous set-ups that keep on coming right to the end that makes Alan Partridge Alpha Papa one of the best comedies of this year.
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