Well, people are going to think I'm a bit of a dick for this, but I just didn't find it funny.
I know everybody else is going mental for Hot Fuzz, and I can see why people might be over-generous; there's a lot of goodwilll out there for the Spaced cast and crew, and justifiably so. Spaced was a genuinely charming, innovative and well-constructed bit of kit. Shaun Of The Dead, which Hot Fuzz is inevitably going to be compared with, was a canny extension of the TV show, and played very much to their strengths - quirky, knowing humour, a strong, if not earth-shatteringly original plot, and recognisable, and (most importantly) likable, if not lovable characters.
So what's with the robotic hero of Hot Fuzz? Or the cavalcade of ego-driven star turns? Or - unforgivably - the paper thin plot that descends into ludicrousness. The fact that the last half an hour is a sequence of mindless cop film heroics that the rest of the film purports to satirise doesn't endear it to you either.
Crucially, it's signifiacantly less funny than anything else they've done. It's not even that the jokes are that bad - they just didn't seem bothered to put many in. Countless references to other, better, and - tragically - funnier films do not a brilliant comedy make.
Okay - it's not as bad as all that. There are still a few good gags, and Nick Frost pretty much saves the film with a surprisingly endearing sidekick routine. But Pegg is hopelessly miscast as the stoical (read, charisma vacuum) hero. He might cut it as a shambling everyman, but he's no Clint Eastwood.
Part of the joy of Shaun Of The Dead was the supporting cast. It might have been named after Pegg's character, but he shared the screen with a believable bunch, with the whole film to flesh their roles out in. Hot Fuzz might boast a more stellar cast, but they flit in and out of the film, mugging frenetically and reeking of self-satisfaction as they identify themselves with the new emperors of Britcom.
Emperors they may be, but where's their bloody clothes?
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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I watched this last nite and fell asleep, started off really good then went down hill very fast. good review.
l-m-n-o-p 18.04.2007 19:43
Although I completely disagree with you I really liked your review, short but straight to the point, and you deserve credit for your title... I wish I was that witty!
clarej69 06.04.2007 22:06
Im glad im not the only person who didnt like this film!
Good review
A major British hit, a lorryload of laughs and some sparkling action? Well have some of ... more
that. Its fair to say thatHot Fuzzproves that Simon Pegg and Edgar Wrights brilliantShaun Of The Deadwas no one-off, serving up a superbly crafted British homage t...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A major British hit, a lorryload of laughs and some sparkling action? Well have some of ... more
that. Its fair to say thatHot Fuzzproves that Simon Pegg and Edgar Wrights brilliantShaun Of The Deadwas no one-off, serving up a superbly crafted British homage t...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 weeks...
Messers Pegg and Frost return with this rollickingly hilarious take on the cop action ... more
movie. Top London cop Constable Nicholas Angel (Pegg) finds himself reassigned to the sleepy West Country village of Sandford. The quaintness is soon to be interrup...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Hot Fuzz (2 Disc Special Edition) [2007] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78050421.jpg "Hot Fuzz (2 Disc Special Edition) [2007] [DVD]")
Apr 4th, 2007
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