My two cents

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2009)

There seems to be 50/50 split between those who like this and those who think it is absolute trash. For my part, I enjoyed it but you definitely have to be a fan of straight action movies to really get the whole feel of what the director, Edgar Wright and the writer/star, Simon Pegg were trying to do here.
This is not a direct parody of action/thriller/buddy movies. It really stands on its own but all the clichés of these movies are put in here, some meant as parody and some for purpose. It's a dangerous combination but Wright/Pegg pulls it off. The actors who play it absolutely straight and especially Nick Frost must be credited by giving the rather ridiculous plot some resonance. Nick Frost as Danny Butterman is absolutely brilliant because the character is kind of sad but at the same time you never feel sorry for him.
The movie is a bit too long and it ends with a cheat that is a bit hard to swallow. Still, the other way around may have been too depressing for what is essentially a comedy (think Lethal Weapon 2). What can you do? So, over the top? Definitely. But engaging and you really have to admire the care that was put into it.