2008 Woodie Awards
Action comedy great second effort for writers Wright, Pegg
By Ivan Moore
Rocket Movie Critic
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Focus
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Brought to you by the same masterminds that brought the clever zombie tribute "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz" is a takeoff on just about every action movie ever made, including some distinct shout-outs to the Keanu Reeves heist flick, "Point Break" and the Martin Lawrence/Will Smith action sequel "Bad Boys II."
"Hot Fuzz" features many familiar faces for "Shaun of the Dead" fans, including "Shaun" himself, Simon Pegg, starring as by-the-book super-cop, Nicholas Angel. His partner, Danny Butterman, is played by his "Shaun" co-star, Nick Frost.
These actors have great chemistry and prove once again that they are the formidable comedy team of the goofball, Frost, and the straight-laced, Pegg.
The characters in "Hot Fuzz" are a mix of bumbling British police and country-folk that seem to have been trapped in the 1940s.
Some famous British actors fill the "Fuzz" cast, including "Moulin Rouge!" alum Jim Broadbent as Inspector Frank Butterman and the original "The Office" star Martin Freeman as the Met Sergeant. Finally, Bill Nighy, who recently has appeared in "Love Actually," "Underworld," "Notes on a Scandal," "Flushed Away" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean," as Met Chief Inspector Kenneth.
Nighy has a filmography longer than workaholics like Nicolas Cage and he is classier and better in any one of his roles than Cage has been throughout his entire career. Nighy only has a small role in "Fuzz," but he is always great to see.
"Fuzz" follows Angel as he blows through police training school to become London's most decorated and hardcore officer.
Fearing that he makes the other officers look bad, London's police chief sends Angel to the calm, quiet country town of Sanford to disappear.
But while in the country, Angel's don't-trust-anyone attitude uncovers a series of murders that were originally categorized as accidents. He discovers that the murder rate of the town is near zero, but the accident rate is unbelievably high.
Wanting their quaint country town to remain untouched from controversy, the citizens of Sanford are reluctant to believe Angel's claims.
The action and comedy that ensues is subtly funny and cleverly crafted. Many of the same devices used in "Shaun" are used in "Fuzz," like the jump-cut time lapses and running gags.
For an action movie spoof, somewhere near the middle you might be wondering where all the action is. The first 30 to 40 minutes are spent setting up the plot, which makes "Fuzz" a heck of a lot smarter than the movies it takes aim at, showcasing the many characters that will come into play and setting up jokes that will pay off in the end. Patience is a guns-a-blazing virtue when it comes to "Fuzz."
Where the beginning is mostly tea and crumpets, the climactic finish is like Red Bull and scones covered in jalapeño peppers. There is a scene where Angel and Butterman find a farmer's secret arsenal of guns and ammunition and in the end, every shell case is emptied and every gun has a smoking barrel.
Director and writer Edgar Wright, along with Pegg, have gained a lot of street credit after the critical success and cult following "Shaun of the Dead" received.
One of their heroes, the innovator of zombies George A. Romero, included Wright and Pegg as zombies in his "Land of the Dead." Wright was also given the honor of creating one of the over-the-top faux trailers for the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez double feature, "Grindhouse."
Although, "Hot Fuzz" is no "Shaun of the Dead," "Fuzz" is funny and well made. The breakout success of "Shaun" is hard to replicate.
If you are expecting "Shaun of the Dead" in police uniforms, you will be disappointed. Even though it might not be as popular as "Shaun," "Fuzz" is a great second effort and is easy to set apart from Wright and Pegg's pervious work.
It is all too often that comedy directors make the same film over and over again, so reward Wright for straying from the path. Hit the noise and cherries and go see "Hot Fuzz."
Ivan Moore is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.
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