Movie Review - Hot Fuzz
At the suggestion of my pal and fellow Diplomacy Grand Poobah Jim Burgess, we finally made the trek back to the movie theater this weekend to see Hot Fuzz, a British send-up of typical American cop movies such as Bad Boys, Lethal Weapon, or the deservedly-maligned Point Break. Jim had raved that it was the funniest film he had seen in quite some time, and I am happy to report that Hot Fuzz did not disappoint. Not even having to suffer through coming attractions featuring such talentless human refuse as Adam Sandler could lessen our enjoyment!
The film stars Simon Pegg (who also co-wrote the film) as Sgt. Angel, the star of the London police force. Unfortunately for him, he does his job far too well, making everybody else on the force look bad. His superiors transfer him to the quaint village in the countryside, where Angel's strict police tactics don't necessarily agree with the rest of the populace. There he is paired with Policeman Butterman (played by Nick Frost), the son of the chief and a general goofball. In typical buddy film fashion, Angel begins to sense something sinister in this idyllic town, while Butterman tries to teach his new partner how to lighten up and have fun.
The movie really gets going once the bodies start to drop, until we're left with tongue-in-cheek ridiculing of just about every American cop movie cliché in the last 25 years. The humor is smart and silly and just tight enough to work in almost every instance, and the performances are first-rate all-around.
Instead of blowing your money on yet another failed romantic comedy or one of the multitude of big-money Hollywood sequels this summer, take an afternoon and search out Hot Fuzz instead. You'll be glad you did.
Incidentally, if you are a fan if the film Shaun of the Dead, this is done by the same people and includes some of the same cast. I hadn't seen that film previously, but on the way home Heather had us rent it. Don't bother, its okay but doesn't stand up well at all after seeing Hot Fuzz.
The film stars Simon Pegg (who also co-wrote the film) as Sgt. Angel, the star of the London police force. Unfortunately for him, he does his job far too well, making everybody else on the force look bad. His superiors transfer him to the quaint village in the countryside, where Angel's strict police tactics don't necessarily agree with the rest of the populace. There he is paired with Policeman Butterman (played by Nick Frost), the son of the chief and a general goofball. In typical buddy film fashion, Angel begins to sense something sinister in this idyllic town, while Butterman tries to teach his new partner how to lighten up and have fun.
The movie really gets going once the bodies start to drop, until we're left with tongue-in-cheek ridiculing of just about every American cop movie cliché in the last 25 years. The humor is smart and silly and just tight enough to work in almost every instance, and the performances are first-rate all-around.
Instead of blowing your money on yet another failed romantic comedy or one of the multitude of big-money Hollywood sequels this summer, take an afternoon and search out Hot Fuzz instead. You'll be glad you did.
Incidentally, if you are a fan if the film Shaun of the Dead, this is done by the same people and includes some of the same cast. I hadn't seen that film previously, but on the way home Heather had us rent it. Don't bother, its okay but doesn't stand up well at all after seeing Hot Fuzz.
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