Hilarious, bloody and rather clever action spoof.

Rating: 8/10 (22 June 2009)

I wasn't expecting much from this very British spoof on the action genre (and, to some extent, a lampoon of gory murder mysteries). However, it is done with considerable style and energy and has some genuinely hilarious moments. Coming away from this film, one feels pleasantly surprised. It isn't just a low-brow comedy designed to provide easy laughs – there's much more going on here. Cross references to earlier movies, witty one-liners, a wacky yet very clever plot, terrific performances, genuinely suspenseful death scenes. the list goes on. There are flaws - but not too many!
Ace policeman Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is too good for his job. As his London superiors explain to him, he's arresting so many crooks that he's making the rest of the force look bad! So, they ship him out to the quiet country village of Sandford, Gloucestershire, a peaceful haven where nothing bad ever happens and the residents proudly tout themselves as the Village of the Year, a competition they've won for countless years in a row. Initially horrified at the prospect, Angel soon realises that all is not what it seems in this "perfect" rural village. A series of seemingly tragic accidents raise Angel's suspicion – he believes foul play is afoot, and with the aid of his oafish new partner Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) sets out to uncover a dark conspiracy. Angel is convinced that a cunning murderer is at work, but what is their motive and who could it be?
Hot Fuzz is a parody of the highly derivative buddy cop flicks that Hollywood has been churning out for a couple of decades – the likes of Bad Boys, Point Break, and Lethal Weapon are gently ridiculed throughout. Likewise many of the murder sequences are reminiscent of the ridiculously elaborate set-ups in slasher movies. Hot Fuzz contains its share of bloodthirsty mayhem, but it all seems done in a weirdly good-natured way which encourages laughter rather than distaste. One scene in particular – a church steeple being dropped onto an unsuspecting victim – is simultaneously gory and hysterically funny. There are flaws, as I mentioned previously. One of them is the (deliberate?) over-editing in a few sequences, which is irritating rather than clever. Another is the way the film seems to have about four separate climaxes and ends up nearly out-staying its welcome. Pegg establishes himself as a genuinely likable leading man, while Frost is broadly amusing as his overweight, under-intelligent partner. The supporting cast is a delightful gallery of old pros – Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Paul Freeman, Bill Nighy and Stuart Wilson – all of whom seem to be having an absolute ball playing against type. All in all, Hot Fuzz is a hugely enjoyable parody of the action genre and a refreshing treat in this era of endless sequels, remakes and rip-offs.