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While I have a bazillion reviews to my credit here on IMDb, I must tell you up front that I am not the best person to be reviewing this movie. This is because I have never seen the TV series on which this film is based and I am not particularly familiar with Steve Coogan. So, unlike many viewers, this is my first time and I cannot compare the movie with the show.

The film begins with some corporate folks coming to the radio station where Alan (Coogan) works. They are there to make changes and he and the staff are pretty scared. It appears that Alan is the big change and he's going to be let go. But, being a weasel, he manages to focus their attention on someone else--Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney). However, when Pat is instead fired, he loses it and goes on a shooting spree. He also takes a bunch of hostages and it's up to Alan to try to help the police to get the folks out alive. However, being a weasel, he also hopes to gain a lot of attention for himself and thus improve his ratings! In fact, as the film progresses, you really see that this is Partridge's #1 goal.

This movie is a very funny and EXTREMELY dark comedy. Such topics are usually NOT the basis for a comedy and the film manages to tackle a sick topic like this and still make it very watchable. However, at times, the film does have a few lulls--not serious ones but the pacing could have been just a bit better. Worth seeing--especially if you like your humor pitch black in tone.

Radio DJ Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) works at a local station in Norwich. They are taken over by a big corporation. He crashes a board meeting and discovers that it's either him or Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney). He backstabs Pat who gets fired. Later Pat comes back with a gun to take over the station. Pat demands to talk through Alan in exchange for three hostages. The cops press Alan into the radio station.

I was a bit concerned when shoots were fired but the movie never missed a beat. It kept the quick fire jokes going. I'll be honest that I've never heard of Alan Partridge. Although Steve Coogan has obviously honed in on the character. His machine gun delivery is really sharp. Even if you miss one joke, the next one is coming right on top of you. Colm Meaney has the high energy to keep up with Coogan.

There have been numerous movie versions of popular British TV series over the years. And the results have by and large not been good. Most of the time, they seem to go on holiday. At the very least, they always make the story 'more cinematic'. They involve the sitcom characters in a larger than life story. Or they go to Spain. I've never understood the logic of this approach, as the sitcoms are popular in the first place for being about a particular small-scale situation. Once the characters are transported out of this, a crucial part of what makes them work in the first place is lost. I can't help but think that film-makers continually mis-read the public on this point. What we want in a film version of a loved TV show is more of the same but for 90 minutes as opposed to 30. This leads on to Alan Partridge.

'I'm Alan Partridge' was in my opinion one of the funniest TV series ever devised. In particular the first season was comedy gold from start to finish. So, what of the movie version? On the whole it was pretty funny but it did feel the need to incorporate a 'big story' into the narrative. Again, this makes no real sense, seeing as Alan himself is so very amusing because he is a mediocre TV presenter who lives in a realistic world. The humour comes out of the fact that his situations are believable and mundane. In this film the writers have felt the need to involve him at the centre of an armed siege and he gets involved in life or death situations. In a similar way to the 'Are You Being Served?' team going to the Costa del Sol for a group holiday, this story is not true to the character and doesn't really play to his strengths. The storyline is overall a little lame and it awkwardly fits in important characters from the series like Michael and Lynn – both of whom aren't very well used. Partridge himself is funny – very funny at times – but even he isn't really on top form, simply because the writing isn't as good as the TV series. Steve Coogan is always worth watching though and anything with Partridge is as well so the movie is worth seeing if you are a fan of either. It's still a good enough comedy but just pales a bit considering the quality of the TV show and the unnecessarily unPartridge-like story-line. So, overall it's pretty funny but like all cinematic versions of British TV series, a little frustrating overall; although in fairness, it's one of the better attempts but probably only due to the genius of the Partridge character.

I love Alan Partridge. Great show. Great character. He is a man for the ages... However, all series do not translate well into film, and if you're like me, you're hopeful but hesitant.

Well, I'm happy to say that the film preserves the characters, humor and dynamics of the show. Although in the first fifteen minutes or so I wasn't quite 'sold' that this is the Alan I know, the Alan I've come to love; the film really finds it's stride once the siege starts.

We've seen peevish Alan. We've seen cowardly Alan. It is only now--in this film--that we bear witness to heroic Alan, and I'll be damned if he isn't somewhat, reasonably heroic...

To sum up, the story fits Alan and doesn't venture outside it's station (a lesson that certain secretaries should learn well). It really plays to the series strengths and has some of the best Alan moments we've seen. All of that being said, I'm not sure how those unfamiliar with Alan Partridge will feel about the film, as it does cater to fans of the series for the most part.

Steve Coogan is one funny guy; he really is funny. He has this quirky sense of humour that is rare. His comedy can range from dry to outrageous. And in regards to this film you see all the variations. It's almost constant; one liners, funny voices,crazy faces, witty remarks, smart references.

It is an enjoyable story which shows how something as simple as a dj's grievance over losing his job can create a barrage of laughs.

Yes, it isn't Coogan's best work, but was good to see Alan Partridge in a motion picture. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and doesn't mind a bit of silly comedy.

"I'm trying to save your head, shoulders, knees and toes." Alan Partridge (Coogan) is a famous DJ who works for a station that has just been bought out. When rumors about firings begin to swirl his friend and co-worker Pat Farrell (Meaney) thinks he is on the list so he does the only reasonable thing, he takes the station hostage. It is up to his friend Alan to defuse the situation, but things don't go as planned. I have never seen him do this character before so I was sure what to expect from this. Almost immediately I was laughing and that continued throughout the movie. There is quite a bit of British humor in this but it is more main stream American then say a Monty Python or Shaun Of The Dead is. Coogan is great in this and I wouldn't hate if they made more movies with this character. The easiest way to describe this is like a British Anchorman with the constant over the top antics and the make-it- up-as-you-go feel. This isn't a movie for everyone but I really thought it was funny and I recommend this. Overall, very funny movie, I really liked it a lot, but again it's not a comedy for everyone. I give this a B+.

First things first... I hear, for some people, Alan Partridge is the epitome of irritating. I've heard him described as one of the most hated TV characters of all time. However, with only this movie for reference, I have to say I strongly disagree. True, he is a bit full of himself and has a tendency to say inappropriate things... but who doesn't? He's certainly FAR more appealing than the 'young and hip' brigade that want to fire him after they've taken over his Norwich radio station. Was his persona here toned down from his TV shows? I haven't a clue... he just comes across as a slightly dotty, but ultimately charming middle aged bloke.

There's are lots of little laughs everywhere, and Steve Coogan is a master of understated wit. Keep your ear trained for some of the best gags. Colm Meaney also makes an impact as the Irish DJ, who must be the most non-threatening hostage taker in history. But being such a fan of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, it's hard to imagine him as anything but the bumbling Miles O'Brien. Oh well, that's my problem. Another laudable aspect is the hearkening back to the old ways of telecasting: when you could say stuff on the airways, without every word being scanned by a committee. AND you could play music that wasn't on the 'approved' list.

Hi, Al? My request is The Chicken Song by Spitting Image. Go on, fire it up. 7/10

As a fan of Alan Partridge I was looking forward to seeing this and I wasn't let down. I'm not sure what people who haven't seen the TV shows will make of it but for fans this is a big treat.

The plot is pretty flimsy but when you have a character like Alan Partridge you really don't need much of one. The jokes and laughs keep flowing and whilst some miss the mark there are plenty of scenes that will have tears running down your face. Some of the old favourites like Lynn and Michael (slightly superfluous in this) are here but this is all about Alan.

It plays like a very long version of an episode but it's face paced enough to never get tedious and the film just flies by. This is a film that can be enjoyed by anyone and may even garner a new generation of Partridge fans.

Alpha Papa is a comedy that actually makes you laugh and is highly recommended.

Every die hard Partridge fan will love Alpha Papa. Although as usual the adverts/trailers did show a lot of the funny moments so as they were coming on screen you find yourself thinking & leading in to it.

Partridge has always been brilliant with the one liners and to show so many of them during the trailers was pretty bad form.

Saying that though, it was still great. Great to see Lynn & Micheal again, although there was not much of Micheal in the movie his scenes were still pretty funny.

I went to see it on its first day out in Ireland and so far there's no reviews of the title on IMDb, so im wondering where the low score has come from.

It currently stands at 7.2..... and the visual diarrhea of "This is the End" stands at 7.8... So clearly there is something wrong with the system if any Alan Partridge product rates lower than something written By Seth rogen.

But then again.... that will always be the problem with Alan. It is and he is too intelligent for the masses.

Steve Coogan and Colm Meany played their roles very well, and all in all it was a delight to watch.

Text-book! Back of the net.

There is a long and far from noble history of British television comedy shows 'spinning-off' into cinema release feature films.

It was an extremely popular exercise in the early to mid 1970s when On the Buses, Till Death Us Do Part, Are You Being Served?, Bless This House and a host of other popular television shows were given the big screen treatment.

Invariably, the transitions were pretty cringe worthy. Most of the films were mediocre at best and, in the main, absolutely woeful. Notwithstanding, some of them were commercial hits. In 1971, On the Buses was the top earner at the British box office proving more popular than such classic films as The French Connection and Diamonds Are Forever. Perhaps it was no coincidence that the next film in the Bond Series featured a London Routemaster bus getting well and truly smashed up.

But then, like lava lamps and flared trousers, these low-budget, low-brow films fell from fashion. Seemingly embarrassed by such hoi-polloi crowd pleasers, British film-makers entered a prolonged phase of making movies that everybody liked except the public. Hands up anyone who ever paid money to see a Peter Greenaway film? And then it started again. The Inbetweeners was first off the block. Following the tradition of its 1970s forebears, it took its characters from their normal domesticity and sent them off on holiday (Holiday On the Buses, 1973, Are You Being Served?, 1977). The result was an over-extended but far from execrable film which proved commercially successful and paved the way for more to follow.

It is on this background that Steve Coogan has resurrected his egregious creation, the broadcaster Alan Partridge.

Originally a character created on BBC radio, Alan Partridge came to greater public attention in the ground-breaking 1994 television comedy series, The Day Today. His insufferable persona proved popular and enduring with the public and his own television series followed. Alan Partridge was in many ways a precursor to Ricky Gervais's David Brent in The Office - superficial and narcissistic with an elevated opinion of his own worth; the humour of both characters stemmed from mundane social embarrassment where they were totally oblivious to their own failings and inadequacies. When Steve Coogan took an unnecessary swipe at the David Brent character in the media, it was difficult not to be drawn to the conclusion that there was professional jealousy at its root.

Twenty years on, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, finds him working for North Norfolk Digital Radio. He has clearly been unable to re-invent himself for the modern era. His always dated style of broadcasting is now even more toe-curlingly appalling. Had the film simply developed this thread of humour – a fish out of water, old fashioned, tie and blazer badge Tory totally unaware that the world had moved even further on, they may have mined some good comedic ideas. Unfortunately, this concept went begging.

Faced with possible redundancy, Partridge shafts his friend and colleague Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney) to ensure that it is the Irishman that gets the sack. Unhinged by his retrenchment, Farrell returns to the radio station during a party armed with a shotgun and holds the staff hostage. Partridge is drafted in by the Police as a negotiator.

There were some early laughs as the film unfolded but these became fewer and more isolated as the film progressed and the storyline became more preposterous and farcical. There were some odd flashes of the old Partridge magic. The scene where he can't help playing to the small crowd of fans who had gathered outside the station to watch events was laugh out loud funny. But the plot was too thin, the jokes too tired, the direction too pedestrian and the whole premise just too lame.

Alan Partridge is a great comic creation. But if you want to see him at his best, I suggest you get the box sets of The Day Today and Knowing Me, Knowing You. Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa is a pale shadow of these classic comedies.

When I first discovered the premise of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, which is a siege of the North Norfolk Digital building by a disgruntled former employee, I was concerned that, like many big screen adaptations, Alan Partridge was departing from its humble, unspectacular roots.

By half way into the film, my concerns had unfortunately been confirmed. There are gun shots, fire-extinguishers to the face, explosions, armed policeman; it is by no means an action film, but since when was there such commotion in Alan's life?

It was the desperate loneliness, alienation and banality of Alan's life in the original TV series that made audiences laugh and cringe while pitying and sometimes despising the pathetic central character. When I got home completely deflated after watching Alpha Papa, I reminded myself of just how good Alan could be by watching YouTube clips of the 1997 series.

A single five minute scene of Alan attending a funeral captured the essence of the character. The dialogue is so rich, almost every line provided a laugh and I was cringing at Alan's complete and utter social ineptitude. Throughout the series you learn Alan's behaviour, it doesn't take one long to know when Alan has an agenda; he is so self-centred, immature and incredibly tactless that the viewer can read him like a book. It's both amusing and toe-curlingly embarrassing to see Alan converse with people and deal with his many problems.

All of the subtlety and character study is missing in the film. Alan is no longer a sad-man, a complete liability. He's still cringe-worthy, particularly in scenes where he attempts to court a colleague, but none of the gags even scrape the surface of the programme's brilliance.

The gags are really quite tired. They're predictable and rehashed, particularly scenes that initially appear melodramatic but are then abruptly interrupted by an action or one-liner like a needle scratching across vinyl. There's also a genre-aware armed stand-off scene towards the end where the characters have 'humourous', flippant exchanges despite the immediate danger in an 'In Bruges' fashion, only not funny. More than once I found myself sighing with disappointment and embarrassment at just how off-the-mark and rehashed the comedy was.

Just like the film's premise, Coogan's performance is overblown, he needed to reel himself in. There would be flashes of classic Partridge, but generally both the dialogue and slapstick comedy just died. I commend Coogan's skill for miming perfectly to Roachford's 'Cuddly Toy', however it just wasn't as funny as his air bass performance of Gary Numan's 'Music for Chameleons' in the second series. Also, Alan doesn't look right in the film. His appearance is still demonstrably uncool, however he isn't as awfully square and repellent as he was in the series. If anything, Alan's ageing process seems to be in reverse.

The two principal characters of the programme, Lynn, Alan's devoted and criminally underpaid secretary, and Michael, Alan's good natured friend, seldom appear in the film. These characters were crucial in the series as they revealed many facets of Alan's personality, exposing just how self-absorbed and manipulative he is whilst also showing how utterly dependent he is on their attention.

We have the original team of Coogan and Iannucci, however it lacks almost every element that made the series so funny, eminently quotable and re-watchable. It shares very little in common with its televisual sibling, all Alpha Papa has is a caricature of a caricature and a thin, boring siege plot.

The First series of I'm Alan Partridge was IMO the greatest comedy series ever seen, Series two less funny and the recent effort on SKY less so still. Now the to the film. wont go other the plot as others have done suffice to say that Coogan himself said he overacted in the second series of the TV show but sadly for him hasn't stopped him overacting again in this film. Which takes the shine off the film somewhat. Some very funny lines but like the sitcoms of the 70s made into films tends to lose its way as the film unfolds. I certainly didn't think it was anywhere near as funny as certain reviewers on here and i suggest now is the time to kill Alan off.

As I watched this on my trip to London and have no previous connection to Alan Partridge I cannot judge this against the series, as another reviewer has done already (at least). I can say that I like Steve Coogan a lot, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to see it. And he is a very funny guy. The premise itself has some very funny moments indeed, though it sometimes goes sour in a heartbeat (for all the wrong reasons that is).

The movie is somewhat based in reality, but it's an Alan Partridge reality. Still there are too many things that are convenient and most of it is really predictable. Weren't it for the charm of the lead actors and their playing of the roles, I think many more would notice that this runs out of steam quickly (story wise). The finale then is very weird (with police acting even weirder, passive/active wise that is) ... a shorter version would've been much appreciated.

Have to say, this is the funniest film I've seen in a fair few years now. I'm a massive Partridge fan but these cinema outings for TV characters can fall on their face... this didn't...

I dragged the wife along who's NOT a fan and even she had tears in her eyes laughing her head off... whole screening was packed and everyone loving it. If you DON'T like Partridge, you won't like this... simple as that... however if you do, be ready for a fantastic film.

Fair play to Coogen and the writers... to keep the character fresh after 20+ years... and then base a whole film at a radio station for 90+ minutes and entertain, that takes some writings. Go watch... you will not be disappointed and it's Partridge at his BEST!

This is a British comedy. You would probably like it if you like British humour (see what I did there), but because of my current status as "one who has never seen a British comedy," I don't know how Alan Partridge compares. Nevertheless, it made me laugh. Most jokes come very fast, so repeat viewings are recommended (or at least go on Youtube to re-watch some of the better scenes). Honestly, that is my type of humor, the type that you can miss if you aren't listening hard enough. There's a bit of slapstick that will please those of which that humor pleases, but it is classier than most. If you do watch this movie (which I do recommend), watch the skies because many of the jokes could fly right over your head.

I went to see this with some friends on the day it came out. As a Partridge fan you will not be disappointed. The film contains all the best characters from the TV Series and Steve Coogan's brilliance as Alan just made the film so funny. There are constant one liners, looks, expressions, silly voices almost every minute. Everyone in the cinema was laughing out loud throughout the full 90 minutes.

There is also a great sound track and lots of familiar tunes and the scene during the credits will have you laughing throughout.

Excellent film go and see it even if you are not a Alan Partridge/Steve Coogan fan because it is a generally funny film.

Alan Partridge genius buffoonery. Fans of the TV show will not be disappointed. Lots of classic AP one liners. Well worth a watch.

I thought that this wasn't going to be as funny as the TV series as film adaptations never are.

To be frank (i'm not named Frank BTW) - it was hilarious. Cinema was packed at the 21:30 showing (full of men with a few women that had been dragged along - i bet they actually loved it really) and everyone was laughing out loud and tittering every couple of minutes.

The plot worked - initially i thought it wouldn't be able to maintain itself for the films length but it was like an awesomely long episode of Alan. Alan's character actually has enough weight for several films and more interesting formats i think. Alan Partridge the Musical - i would go and see - and i hate musicals.

True brilliance and genius from those who know Alan's mind inside out.

Long live King Alan. The quality shines through - far better than Gervais et al.

An Alan Partridge movie has been talked about and prayed for (by his fans) for years. The natural inclination when transferring a small- screen British sitcom character and moving them to the big screen is to take them out of their comfort zone, and involving them in some big event or disaster that usually ends up with them going to the U.S. for one reason or another. Yet with Partridge, his comedy is rooted in his small-town ideals and small-minded ignorance. You can't take Norfolk out of Partridge, nor can you take Partridge out of Norfolk. Thankfully, Norfolk is just where he stays, and his creator and inhabitant, Steve Coogan, along with frequent collaborator Armando Iannucci have created a script that is well worthy of everyone's favourite Abba enthusiast.

North Norfolk Digital is being taken over by conglomerate headed by shady suit Jason Tresswell (Nigel Lindsay). Station veteran Pat Farrell (Colm Heaney) fears losing his job and goes to Alan, his only 'friend' at the station, for help. Alan, naturally, gatecrashes a board meeting where, upon realising he could also face the sack, convinces them to 'Just Sack Pat'. Pat is fired, but returns at the office party with a rifle to take everybody hostage. Alan manages to flee, but is soon called in by the police, at the request of Pat, to act as a go-between. Alan obliges, and soon sees the opportunity for a career revival.

For a movie, things feel relatively low-key. There's no big stars shoe- horned in to increase ticket sales, nor is there any explosive action to speak of (although there is a hilarious Alan daydream where he imagines a shoot-out). This feels just like the TV show I'm Alan Partridge, only with better cinematography, and is all the better for it. Stars of British comedy normally find it difficult to transfer their success to the big screen (just ask Morecambe and Wise, Harry Enfield, and more recently, David Mitchell and Robert Webb) mainly because they overreach themselves, and end up losing what was so charming and appealing about their characters and comedy in the first place.

This is Alan as we know him - socially awkward, appallingly selfish, and unapologetically self-contained. It's not scream-out-loud funny, but it never really was (with some exceptions - "Smell my cheese!"). What makes Alan so fascinating, hilarious and strangely addictive is the fact that he is just like us, albeit more extreme and absurd. Yet Alan doesn't have the ability to stop and consider his ludicrousness before he says lines such as "We're asking what is the worst 'monger? Iron, fish, rumour, or war?" Coogan is fantastic in the role - he may be one of the finest comic actors this country has ever produced - making Alan somehow sympathetic even though the film doesn't offer any kind of straight- forward redemption for his character. But would we want him to, or would we prefer to see him forever embrace his eccentric nature? Or more importantly, does he deserve it?

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I have been following Alan Partridge since he was just a lowly sports reporter on The Day Today almost 20 years ago.

Since then we have had his disastrous chat show when he ended up hitting the Head of BBC with a turkey in his live Christmas Special.

Then some years later he rebuild his career on the radio whilst living in the Travel Tavern in 'I'm Alan Partridge.'

Partridge now hits the big screen, courtesy of BBC films. Partridge has always been middle of the road, middle aged and conservative.

His creator, Steve Coogan is now almost the same age as his screen persona. Two decades ago, Coogan was still in his 20s when he was inspired by the likes of Alan Titchmarsh to create Partridge.

In Alpha Papa, Partridge works for a Norwich based radio station which has been taken over by a new corporate that intends to fire some of the fuddy duddy presenters.

One of the sacked radio presenter is so aggrieved, he ends up going to the radio station with a shotgun and takes hostages. Partridge finds himself in the middle of a rescue effort.

I expected this to be a humorous version of Dog Day Afternoon. I think I got more laughs at that film than this. There were a few twitters, even a guffaw or two but nothing more.

Colm Meaney and Steve Coogan make a good team as the unhip duo but this would had been better pared down for TV.