20 years after Alan Partridge first appeared in BBC Radio's On the Hour. Now Coogan revisits his enduring TV character for a big-screen action-comedy Alan Partridge Alpha Papa. Movie that knowingly skewers British media and culture, also relentlessly hilarious and deeply embarrassing in that british kind of way.

 
Alan works his mouth at that Norfolk radio station with his ‘Mid-Morning Matters’ slot. But its an uneasy time at Norfolk radio station as corporate takeover has happened. This of course means a new rebrand for the radio station to make it seem cool and edgy. Alan becomes aware that either he or longtime colleague Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney) are set for sacking. In typical Alan Partridge style he betrays his would-be pal to the new owners to protect his own job.
Unhappy with his firing Pat (who looks a bit like that bloke off Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) goes slight postal and breaks in with rifle at his side during the rebranding party. He takes the current staff and the new management hostage, and demands a return to the old-fashioned public service outfit. Pat is a decent man driven to the edge. Still believing Alan as a trusted pal he asks for Alan to be his link to the authorities and the general public.
As the siege becomes national interests Alan increasing ego grows along with his celebrity status. Alan only sees the possibility of promotion and new fame by acting as Pat's spokesman.While he and Pat broadcast the siege with coffee and chit chat. Alan mounting fear of Pat finding out the truth leads to an amusing sequence of Alan losing his trousers and chance of defusing the siege.
Alan Partridge is what die hard 6 should have been. A low-fi situation where the main protagonist can't quite rise to the challenge. But we love watching him try. Intriguingly for a comedy, there's a real sense of danger and tension with some great physical comedy.

It's the dialog that really shine with paralysing oddness and laughter. Every phrase is funny, as are the pauses and facial expressions inserted by the adept cast. Much of it springs from each person's specific neurosis. Coogan gives a seamless performance that creates a believable buffoon: a loser who isn't actually stupid. Just gets his metaphors mixed when flustered. Seems to get easily distracted by all kinds of tiny business. Once you just take in the hilarity of his view of the world, Alapa Papa becoming an hilarious movie about what was better in the old days. 

Give the hollywood action blockbuster a rest. Forget Wolverine with his knives and forks for hands. Watch a real man in action movie slash comedy. And give Alan Partridge Alpha Papa a chance. 
4 out of 5 I am siege face ! waffles