Four Lions (2010)

When details of the plot of the film Four Lions got out, there was more than a little bit of controversy. One would expect that a comedy about suicide bombers would cause that reaction. However, after viewing the film, I can attest that it does not mock the Muslim culture. What it does mock is idiots, and there are some mighty fine ones in this very funny film.

In Four Lions, a group of British jihadists are about to make the big time when two of their members (Omar, the group's leader, and his naïve friend Waj) get the opportunity to attend terrorist training camp in Pakistan. They prove they are not yet ready for primetime when they accidentally blow up other terrorists, and thus are sent home.

Joining Omar and Waj are some very interesting characters. Barry is a white man who has converted to Islam, and is the most extreme of the bunch, forcing his more gullible comrades to complete initiation tactics like drinking their own urine. Also, joining them is Faisal, who appears to be the daftest of the bunch, with his idea of training crows to be suicide bombers. But on the other hand, crows taking over the task from people does seem like a good idea.

The men decide to make an impact right in their home city of Sheffield, England by blowing themselves up. There is some disagreement as to whether they should do it at a mosque, or some other alternative venue which wouldn't result in the killing of several innocent Muslims. Without giving away too much of the plot, neither situation comes to pass, but there are still explosions aplenty. Even the explosions are done in a comical, Monty Pythonesque manner. There are no blood and guts in this film.

For those looking for an explanation as to why men would willingly become a martyr by blowing themselves up, you're not going to get it in this film. Some of the men themselves don't seem to know why they are doing it - once again going back to the fact that they are just simply not too bright. So while this film may not provide many answers, it does the fundamental thing that movies should do — it entertains, and it does so thoroughly.

Four Lions is a terrific comedic film. It does for suicide bombers what This Is Spinal Tap did for rock 'n' rollers. It is a movie that could have gone terribly wrong — it could have been extremely offensive. But all the pieces came together to produce a film that is respectful, sad at times, but more often than not it is hilarious. Four Lions is a smart film about stupid people, and it is one that you should definitely check out. It also features the best use of a Ninja Turtles costume since Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of The Ooze.

Four Lions is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars