First Take: Dad’s Army- wartime comedy done moderately well

PLOT- Based on the classic BBC sitcom, the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard face a new threat towards the end of World War 2- a German spy who happens to also be a journalist.

This film has received a very mixed response from critics around the UK, but I personally thought that it was an average film that lacks the big laughs of the TV series. The performances are mostly very good, with the creme de la creme of British talent including Michael Gambon, Bill Nighy, Toby Jones and Catherine Zeta-Jones providing that Hollywood touch to the film. The writing from Hamish McColl is at points, very entertaining, but lacks the amount of humour that the trailers had implied, although this is more than made up for by the outtake reel during the end credits. However, Oliver Parker’s direction cannot be faulted, and the cinematography stays true to the source material, even going as far as to replicate the closing credits of the TV show. I might not be the target audience for Dad’s Army, but I left the screening feeling satisfied with the film, yet disappointed with the lack of a big comedy moment.

Rating- 3/5

6 Laugh Test- Passed