Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

Declan Lowney | 2013 | ★★★
Following several memorable appearances on the small screen over the past 20 years, Steve Coogan’s best known creation (in the UK, at least) makes his big screen debut in this seldom hilarious but nevertheless consistently engaging siege comedy. Coogan is unsurprisingly excellent, as the ever heedless DJ tasked with mediating between the police and a gone-postal sacked radio presenter, who is holding his former bosses hostage. Good support comes from Colm Meaney, as the gun-wielding loon, Tim Key, as Partridge’s on-air sidekick, and – amongst many others – Felicity Montagu, as his long put-upon personal assistant. Well crafted, with plenty of good gags, Alpha Papa proves pleasantly diverting.