Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

When a colleague is sacked, Alan Partridge thinks he�s dodged a bullet. However, the bullets have only just started flying; Radio Norwich is not doing so well and the axe will have to fall somewhere. In typical Partridge-style, Alan comes to everyone�s aid by offering a simple solution: sack Pat! (Well, not everyone�s aid.) The bosses go for this plan and Pat gets the chop. However, that�s when the action starts.

Pat (Colm Meaney) returns, shotgun in hand, taking hostages. Police arrive with a negotiator, but Pat only will speak to one person. Guess who? Strangely enough, the only thing Pat seems to want is to keep presenting on the show with Alan. Partridge chats, or people die. Initially reluctant, Alan starts to enjoy the attention and fame the siege generates for him.

Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci seem to have achieved the difficult task of successfully transferring a TV series to the big screen. The timing and gags are even better than the original. Steve Coogan is right on form reprising his former role; always trying, but always falling short, of being cool, witty, with it, the ladies man, the list goes on. Alan might be stuck in the past but the humour certainly isn�t and still connects. And of course, the film just wouldn�t feel right without Felicity Montagu resuming her old role as the ever-faithful secretary, Lynne.

As Alan says while being tugged off by Pat, �We�re better than that�. Oh no, we�re not! Bring it on!

Natalie Tyldesley