Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

Considering the awful track-record of UK TV characters given their own feature-films, I'm so relieved Steve Coogan's superlative Alan Partridge makes the transition this well. A project that's been rumoured for around a decade, it feels like the spectacular success of The Inbetweeners has made British TV production companies take the risk with a movie--knowing that even a UK-only hit will be enough to recoup low financial stakes.

Alpha Papa works because the situation is definitely something that suits cinema better than television (slightly), but it's not so grandiose that it betrays the character's small and specific pleasures. Alan Partridge has always been more verbally funny than physically hilarious, so it just makes sense to have a story set inside his radio station (North Norfolk Digital) on the eve of a corporate takeover that sparks a hostage crisis when colleague Pat (Colm Meaney) is sacked and loses his mind.

It's a predicament that puts Alan in a comfortable environment (literally "chatting for his life", as hostage negotiator and Pat's occasional cohort), but during an uncomfortable life-or-death week of craziness where he's suddenly a Very Important Person in the public mind. (I'm actually excited to see what the next Partridge product on television will be, as it would be logical for the character to get a career resurgence in the wake of Alpha Papa's events. He would at least get on Celebrity Big Brother, right?)

I'm just so relieved this film doesn't get too much wrong. The jokes and hilariously overwrought dialogue is intact, Coogan's predictably excellent (in a role he's perfected over 20-years at this point), and fans will appreciate the nods to various Partridge-universe characters and events. I especially enjoyed seeing Alan's long-suffering agent Lynn (Felicity Montagu) and "best friend" Michael (Simon Greenall) again, for the first time since 2002's I'm Alan Partridge (incredibly). Lynn gets a particularly nice sub-plot; enjoying being 'pampered' by the police, as someone with an insight into Alan.

Armando Iannucci interview

The Alan Partridge writer on turning 50, 'Alanistas' and why Peter Capaldi will make a great Doctor Who.

Is Alan Partridge morphing into Tommy Saxondale?

Steve Coogan's inability to escape his most successful character was mined for some of the best material in The Trip, his 2010 collaboration with Rob Brydon and Michael Winterbottom. For a minority however, myself included, it's Tommy Saxondale that's the more complex character and one that has managed to seep, intentionally or otherwise, into the version of Alan Partridge we meet in the 2013 feature-length outing Alpha Papa.

Alan Partridge on why he's grateful to Nigel Farage

After rescuing North Norfolk Digital from a serious hostage crisis, new hero Alan Partridge has had a few months to reflect on his actions.

Alan Partridge's best quotes

To celebrate the release of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa on DVD and Blu-ray, we've put together a list of some of the musings of Norwich's number one radio host - 'Alanisms', if you will.

Alan Partridge stars in Norwich Christmas lights

Norwich lit up a Christmas lights display in tribute to Steve Coogan's fictional radio DJ Alan Partridge.

Alan Partridge: I wish I'd had one fewer children

Regrets? North Norfolk Digital's legendary DJ - who bears an uncanny resemblance to comedian Steve Coogan - has a few. Like having one too many children, mocking the owners of Japanese cars.... oh, and shooting a man dead on his TV talk show.

Steve Coogan may 're-animate' Alan Partridge for sequel

Steve Coogan has said that he may "re-animate" Alan Partridge for a sequel to Alpha Papa.

Film review: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

Alan Partidge: Alpha Papa is an odd beast; more like an extended TV episode than a feature film.