Hitting DVD, Blu-ray and VOD today is this British import starring Steve Coogan,. He brings his Alan Partridge character in a hostage story that has some great dialogue wrapped up in a paint-by-numbers story.

Reprising his television character, Coogan stars as Alan Partridge, radio DJ and deluded by his perception of his own fame, including driving around in a sponsored Kia. When Partridge learns that the station’s new owners are either canning him or fellow radio talk show host, Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney), Alan promptly throws his colleague under the bus in order to hold onto his own position.

From there, Pat, in a fit of rage, decides to storm the station with his shotgun and take the entire place hostage until he gets his job back.

Meaney and Coogan are great together, and it’s the moments that they share on-screen that the film works at its best. As mentioned the story is fairly basic, and there are no surprises in the plot, what is fun though, is the layers of dialogue, there are so many wonderful little throwaway lines that I know I missed a bunch of them, and may in fact, have to watch it again just to catch all of them.

Coogan also gets to show a little bit of physical comedy as well, but the film is at its best when he is broadcasting for his show, whether in the studio or in a mobile van. The dream sequence is pretty sweet too though, with a trio of Jasons arriving to help save the day.

While I didn’t love the film, it has stirred my interest, and I may go back and check out the television series, and bits, that spawned it. What is great about the film, as mentioned is Coogan and Meaney.

Picturesque Norfolk serves as the backdrop to the radio studio, and puts me in mind of my once yearly trips to a little village in Plymouth.

The dialogue comes pretty fast and thick, and if you have a hard time understanding some of the UK accents, you may want to throw on the subtitle option.

Partridge is a character that you don’t quite hate, Coogan is too likable to make him a villain, but he is a bit of a tool, concerned only with his own numbers, his own job, and for a while, he really doesn’t care about anyone else.

If you’re a fan of Coogan, or know his Alan Partridge character, this one is a bit of a must. If you can disregard the simple plot, and just settle in for some of the whip-smart remarks, chances are you’ll enjoy yourself.

Alan Partridge is available now!