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 HOT
FUZZ
by Amanda Perez
MPAA Rating: R for
violent content, including some graphic images and language.
Suggested Ages: 16+
Released in Theaters: April 20, 2007
Reel Rating: 2 out of 4 Reels
As a
big fan of Shaun on the Dead, I was very excited to see Hot Fuzz. I
thought writers Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, who also wrote Shaun of the
Dead, could do no wrong. I couldn’t wait to
see if they could do for the action movie what they did for zombie flicks.
Unfortunately, Hot Fuzz failed to resurrect the spoofy spirit
of Shaun of the Dead.
Sergeant Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the finest of London’s finest, thus
causing his entire precinct to look lazy by comparison. He’s then
unwillingly transferred to a “peaceful” country village. Sergeant Angel’s
suspicions start to rise as the amount of accidental deaths of the locals
begin to do the same. He and his partner Danny (Nick Frost) try to unravel
the mystery of the murders and conspiracy that are oblivious to the entire
town.
THE WRAP-UP:
I thought the film was going to be an action movie take-off. But the only
noteworthy action in the film happens at the end of the very long two hours
that is Hot Fuzz. The movie is like a horror movie in which the
characters talk about action films. It’s not a parody or a spoof, but more
like a confused hybrid of Scream and Bad Boys 2. Shaun of
the Dead worked because it stuck to one very specific type of movie,
zombie films. Hot Fuzz leapt from one genre to the other. First to
horror with the hooded murders and eerie music, and then back to an action
parody with quick anticlimactic cuts. This grew tiresome very quickly.
The two
finest things I can say about Hot Fuzz are both dug from the grave of
Shaun of the Dead. The hilarious fence jumping scene -- I don’t know
why, but there is something so simplistic in the humor that it always makes
me laugh.And, of course, the "we’re not gay, but if we were, we would
totally do it" chemistry between Pegg and Frost. The charm of these two that
seasoned Shaun of the Dead was luckily able to embalm Hot Fuzz.
This comedy duo’s chemistry is not something that many can do quite so
well.
I have a lot respect for
Simon Pegg from his work on Shaun of the Dead and Spaced. I
admire Edgar Wright for his work on
Shaun of the Dead. I also think his graphic Don’t
trailer from Grindhouse was distastefully perfect. It really pains me
to say this, but if you aren’t a Shaun of the Dead supporter, don’t
see Hot Fuzz. If you did enjoy Shaun of the Dead, see Hot
Fuzz. You will appreciate the silly humor, but don’t expect too much.Amanda Perez is a
freelance journalist from Orange County, California. Email her at
aperez949@hotmail.com.
JANE'S REEL RATING
SYSTEM:
One Reel – Pathetic. Even
the Force can't save it.
Two Reels – Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Read my other reviews
HERE.
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