Kerry and I saw Hot fuzz at the cinema yesterday. We already knew that Simon Pegg is a comedy genius, Shaun of the dead had pretty much convinced us of that, but for all our eagerness and high expectations of his new film we had still underestimated him. I haven’t laughed that hard for a long long time.
The plot a la Wikipedia:
Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He’s so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel’s superiors send him to a place where his talents won’t be quite so embarrassing — the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford - where there hasn’t been a recorded murder for twenty years.
The cast reads like a who’s who of British contemporary comedy (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Bailey, Steve Coogan, Martin Freeman, Stephen Merchant) as well as a healthy splattering well known actors (Timothy Dalton, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Edward Woodward).
Just as in Shaun of the dead, the film walks the tightrope of clever cultural references, hilarious physical comedy, and occasional outrageous gore without ever tipping over into spoof territory. While it’s the comedy that will cause you to come out of the cinema and straight back to the box office queue to buy a new ticket, the plot and characterization are strong enough to give the film depth.
I’ve never reviewed anything on this blog before, mainly because I haven’t really thought that people would be that interested in my opinion. But this is different, this isn’t a review - it’s a blatant advertisement. Hot Fuzz deserves a wide an audience as is humanly possible, that way Pegg (and co-writer and director Edgar Wright) will make more films. And the world needs more films by Pegg and Wright.
Hot Fuzz was released in the UK yesterday, and will be released in the USA on the 20th of April. Go and see it or you are not allowed to read my blog any more.
Dude, I’m looking forward to seeing this - I absolutely loved ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (the morris dancing beating scene especially).
I didn’t know Edward Woodward was in this; he was one of my heroes during his ‘Equalizer’ days, and led me to my enthusiasm for the work of Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police, but now back in the The Police).
If I’m honest I didn’t realise it was Edward Woodward untill the credits. He has a beard you see and I’m very poor at recognising actors.
Oh, I can’t wait! I can’t wait! I saw the ad for this a month ago and knew it would be good.
Of course, we’re never allowed to go out of the house to watch a movie, so I’ll probably have to wait for it to arrive on Netflix!
I saw Hot Fuzz yesterday as well (being a Bill Nighy fan I couldn’t wait longer than absolutely neccesary) and thought it was hilarious. I just saw the trailer again, and am sure I will see the film again in the weekend. It’s brilliant, Simon Pegg is indeed a comic genius, and what a cast!
Personally think Simon Pegg is a genius. Got the boxed set of Spaced series 1&2 a couple of moons ago. Ended up watching the all of the episodes back to back.
Can’t wait to see Hot Fuzz.
I sooooo have to see this! I loved Shaun of the Dead (notoriously dudelet’s first trip to the cinema with me at the age of four months) and can’t wait.
I saw it a few days ago and i’m going to be blunt. This the best comedy i’ve seen in years - it may not be better than shaun of the dead but it’s sure just as good.
This hilarious film gets a 9/10 from me.