Genius!! You have to see this movie!!

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2007)

British films are often criticised for low budgets and their focus on small-town misery. Actually, the latter is probably a necessity of the former, but none of this is the case with 'Hot Fuzz'. Comedies don't need to rely on expensive production values, but Simon Pegg & co. have a brilliant knack of fusing a series of mismatching styles and on Hot Fuzz they intersperse the rural village storyline with all the high-octane thrills and gore of big budget action flicks. Fans of Pegg's brilliant nineties TV comedy 'Spaced' won't be surprised when they are spontaneously jerked out of a scene in a sleepy village police station and thrown into a montage of psychedelic imagery coupled with a drum and bass soundtrack.
But this film is far from 'cult' only, and will not disappoint anyone looking for laughs. It's not just a 'spoof' of cop films; it is more of a pastiche. Think more 'Scream' and less 'Scary Movie' (thank the maker) in that it references other cop/buddy movies as part of its plot line. 'Shaun of The Dead' fans will also be pleased with the movies moments of gore. Aside from one dodgy CGI moment involving some garden shears, the special effects are spot on and make you proud to be British.
Get over any fears you have of seeing British films at the cinema, and go see this movie. It is a work of genius. Encore, Mr Pegg!!