FILM REVIEW: DAD’S ARMY (PG)

This is undoubtedly a film for an audience aged fifty-plus, but for those familiar with the original sixties/seventies comedy series – this movie remake delivers.

For this review ESP’s film critic Gav Miller roped in his own Dad, so over to Rob Miller for his view…

Dad’s Army pays homage to the iconic show by staying loyal to its roots, and the strong British cast – with Catherine Zeta-Jones adding that touch of glamour – provide a hefty helping of comedy within a noteworthy storyline that actually works very well.

The rag-tag Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon – which includes the household names of Captain Mainwaring (Toby Jones), Sergeant Wilson (Bill Nighy), Private Godfrey (Michael Gambon), Lance Corporal Jones (Tom Courtenay) and Private Pike (The Inbetweeners’ Blake Harrison) – have to deal with visiting female journalist Rose Winters (Zeta-Jones) and a German spy as World War II draws to its conclusion.

And for the most part it holds up pretty well – despite the odd lull from time to time – particularly for the target age demographic it’s aimed at.

It is definitely an acquired taste – and probably won’t quite cut it with a younger audience – but fans of the original series should find more than enough nostalgic nods to make this more than watchable.

That coupled with its fair share of laughs, makes this an enjoyable slice of British comedy cinema that ‘veterans’ should lap up.

Don’t panic – it’s really rather good.

Rob Miller (Dad of ESP’s film reviewer Gav Miller) [youtube id=”eLEhGWIdWag” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Cast: Bill Nighy, Toby Jones, Michael Gambon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Blake Harrison, Tom Courtenay, Daniel Mays, Bill Paterson, Mark Gatiss, Annette Crosbie, Alison Steadman, Sarah Lancashire & Ian Lavender

Running Time: 1 Hr 40 Mins

Director: Oliver Parker

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