A daring and enjoyable comedy starring Simon Pegg

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2009)

I will admit to you, the film does start off slowly, and the finale is very over the top. Plus the murders are unashamedly brutal. But Hot Fuzz is a hugely enjoyable, original and daring comedy. It is fast-paced fun from start to finish. And all this is helped by a sharply observed screenplay, next to flawless comic timing and a wonderful performance from Simon Pegg playing it straight as the over zealous cop. The supporting actors do just as brilliantly with Nick Frost the standout and Jim Broadbent brilliant as always. Paddy Cosidine and Rafe Spall are hilarious as the two Andys, and Timothy Dalton is a pleasant surprise as Simon Skinner, and steals every scene he's in.
The camera-work is very dark and brooding, and there are some clever homages to other movies of the genre. At a little over two hours, the film is perhaps a little too long, but the film constantly goes at a break neck pace so it doesn't matter. The plot is rather original and daring, about Nick Angel getting promoted and being relocated to the hamlet of Sandford. The direction from Edgar Wright is solid throughout and has this appropriately offbeat style. Overall, a very affectionate, daring and enjoyable film. 8.5/10 Bethany Cox