The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse

The League Of Gentlemen was one of the best comedy television shows of the Nineties, managing to mix the humorous and the deeply unpleasant to great effect. I was looking forward to their first feature film and am relieved to report that for the most part it is a success.

Its main advantage might be considered its biggest flaw, which is a slightly confusing plot, in which three characters go from Royston Vasey to the "real" world to confront the actual League Of Gentlemen - the writers playing themselves - who are planning their demise by writing a historical epic, The King's Evil.

Full marks to Dyson, Shearsmith, Gatiss and Pemberton for taking a different spin and not just churning out The League Go Boating, or A Gentleman's Holiday With Sensible Shoes, which would have been the easiest thing to do.

The King's Evil is quite funny and gives the League the chance to live out the Hammer Horror-style fantasies that they love so much. The other stuff doesn't work so well, although the film overall can be deemed a success. Despite flawless performances, they seem to take great pleasure in portraying themselves as horrible as possible. Also, it's good to see David Warner playing the villain.

The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse may appear confusing and grotesque to those who don't know them. However, for those who do, they retain their cult status and the film should enhance their reputation.