Phoenix TV Blog: Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Me and my friend went to see this movie as a break from work. The trailers made it look enjoyable enough and the day in the life of a policeman idea was quite intriguing to me. It was also quite interesting to know it was made by the makers of Shaun of the Dead which was actullay a very good zombie watch.

Edgar Wright’s fast paced action slash comedy actually has a clever plot to it and is reasonably gripping unlike the usual simple minded adrenaline pumping action genre. Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), a humourless and almost overly competent police sergeant who sets the archetype of a physical enforcer of the law is banished away to a quiet Gloucestershire village by his superiors who make their jealousy of his superiority and their resentment palpably clear in doing so. The first half is gentle and painfully slow as he meets the residents of Sanford (all British actors) and a dim-witted though lovable police partner Danny (Nick Frost) and his father the police chief (Jim Broadbent). The pace really picks up half way through as the two officers are surrounded by a series of fatal so-called ‘accidents’ – very shocking deaths too! Extremely loud, lightning fast car chases, gun fights and exaggerated camera work ensue.

The script of this movie is well done and you will likely get many laughs from the humour and wit (Timothy Dalton – James Bond 4 – was particularly funny) and it was gripping enough for me not to get bored. It has some genuinely memorable and surprising twists e.g. involving a swan. Simon Pegg does a great acting job, as do most of the residents in the village and the comedy factor was what made this movie shine and it can certainly not be called a spoof. However I found it hard to appreciate the combination of action plus quasi-serious scenes and situations and the comedy. This is probably due to this movie being made by creators of zombie movies which normally have a similar kind of feel to it and I personally found the exaggerated action moments where our heroes survive ridiculous experiences e.g. explosions, over the top. The action went a little too fast paced as Hot Fuzz progressed and wasn't half loud in the pictures.

I was thankful for the fact that the male-bashing was actually low on the scale. The scene where Pegg’s character is arguably cheated on and dumped by his girlfriend because she didn’t see enough of him (of course she would never have selected him if he wasn’t so successful) annoyed me a little but I forgot about it quickly as Pegg was not a wuss who let such things get to him. There was violence against men and women for the most part – many exciting methods of elimination. A little boy (not a woman) gives Timothy Dalton a pop in the balls which normally qualifies a movie for a heavy burning bra rating by default but Pegg double flying side kicks an old lady in the face which is unusual so it is not too much of an issue. Because Hot Fuzz is supposed to spoof Point Break and Bad Boys – which are made reference to in the movie - this would likely be a film feminists and other man-haters would describe as overflowing in machismo and testosterone but this time the giving and taking of violence as far as gender is concerned is impressively equal in this movie.

There is also a policewoman who unlike most females in positions of power (yes even comedy/action) who are bitchy and over self-righteous, she is just like her male peers and treated the same way and very likeable – smiley and eccentric. A few comments about ‘police officer and policewoman’ and ‘sexism’ but she laughs it off – silly but nothing to get in a twist about.

Pegg himself plays a good 'police' man who is determined to do his utmost best to make the world a safer place for everyone at the risk of his life and though his actions make this clear he makes a very touching speech to Danny his police partner who is also very likeable and funny.

Overall this is not a groundbreaking movie and is a tad too long and slow moving at the start but a very enjoyable feature that while not being perfection, is not a spoof or anything to be taken seriously and it is strictly for putting smiles on faces. I didn't find the movie excellent because I generally am not a fan films that promote guns and related violence but hey - Canada manages to do fine as far as gun crime is concerned. How much this movie will appeal to you will probably vary - probably not in the ‘love it or hate it’ way.