The British writing team behind 2004's hit Shaun of the Dead is back and better than ever. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have shifted from the unique romantic-comedy-zombie genre to take on the world of action films in their latest venture Hot Fuzz. Though it often references/parodies the classic action films that inspired it, director Wright insists it is not a spoof. The frequent references to Point Break, Chinatown, The Matrix and He-Man among others causes debate about how much is in homage and how much is mocking. No matter what conclusion you draw, Hot Fuzz is above all else hilarious.
Simon Pegg stars as Nicholas Angel, a top police officer in London. His work is so outstanding that his superiors force him to transfer so they won't look so bad in comparison. With no other option, the dedicated officer trudges to the supposedly crime-free hamlet of Sandford. Angel cracks down on the slightest deviance and ends up arresting about 20 people before even starting his first day on the job. In the process he mistakenly arrests his new partner Danny (Nick Frost). The repeated costars share an amazing comedic chemistry. Fans of Spaced and Shaun of the Dead might be a little disappointed by the initial lack of bonding between the hilarious man-BFFs. By the time the credits roll, however, you will have forgotten any awkwardness. Danny is the perfect counterpart to Angel's job-obsessed super cop. Danny idolizes Angel and constantly floods him with questions about the "action" he's seen. Danny's obsession with American action films like Point Break and Bad Boys II originally annoys Angel until, in one of the funniest scenes in the movie, Angel himself becomes acquainted with the glory of bank-robbers wearing face masks of ex-presidents.
As Angel tries to become accustomed to the small town lifestyle and his inept colleagues, suspicious accidents begin to befall Sandford townspeople. The first victims are the horrendously awful stars of Sandford's production of Romeo and Juliet (rather than Shakespeare's original, they perform a version styled after Baz Luhrmann's film). After the cast dances and sings to The Cardigans' "Lovefool" nobody could be sad that the lead actors get beheaded by a figure shrouded in black. The killer then stages the deaths as a car accident, which no one besides Angel questions. Danny is the only one who tries to help Angel investigate the growing body count.
Angel's prime suspect, the local grocery-store owner, is played by an incredibly creepy Timothy Dalton. Simon Skinner is Dalton's best role in long time (aka. since Beautician and the Beast-- anyone who puts up with Fran Drescher deserves an Oscar). He plays the creeper extremely/scarily well and steals a few scenes. Nick also has to contend with the Sandford's oddly disturbingly thorough N.W.A. Sadly, this N.W.A. is the Neighborhood Watch Association instead of the ground-breaking rap group. The cast of Hot Fuzz overflows with famous Brits. Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent and virtually any other British actor with comedic talent. Mr. Filch from Harry Potter even shows up. Cate Blanchett and Peter Jackson make cameos as Angel's ex and a man dressed as Father Christmas who stabs Angel in the hand respectively.
The combination of the cast, the writing and the physical comedy make for a perfect night at the movies. Hot Fuzz provides laughs from start to finish as well as great action, some seriously grotesque deaths and even some scares. Not only is it incredibly funny but it provides good twists. Plus anything that refreshes your He-Man knowledge is worth watching. In fact, "by the power of Grayskull" stop reading and go right now. Hot Fuzz should not be missed!
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