Hot Fuzz

[cd213]

I just got back from a preview screening of the new film from the guys that brought you Shaun of the Dead. This movie is called Hot Fuzz. Unlike Shaun which was a rom-zom-com, this film was a play on the buddy/action films like Bad Boys. It was co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, co-written and starring Simon Pegg and co-starring Nick Frost.

 

Simon Pegg plays Nicholas Angel, a big city (London) cop who is the best cop on the force. He is so good that he is making everyone else look bad. Because of this he is given a promotion to Sgt. and forced to relocate to a small town where there is no crime. The town that he movies to has won "Town of the Year" for a few years running. After Sgt. Angel moves in people start getting killed, or having accidents as the towns people say. Angel thinks it's murder but the town people don't believe him since "it's been 20 years since anyone was murdered" as Inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent) says. Angel takes his partner PC Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) to find out what is going on.

 

This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Nick Frost stole the movie as he did in Shaun of the Dead. This movie had ever cliche in the book from any buddy/action film you can think of. The supporting actors were just as good as the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Timothy Dalton was great at the scruzzy supermarket owner. Jim Broadbent was very funny as the inspector and Nick Frost's dad. Edward Woodward of The Equalizer fame had a great small role as well. Also, look out for the actors from Shaun of the Dead reprising their role of "towns people." Also, look out for an uncredited cameo from Cate Blanchett.

 

On a scale of 1-5 I would give this film a 4 1/2.

 

 

 

After the screening there was a Q&A with Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. I was also able to meet all three and get their autographs on my copy of Shaun of the Dead. This film comes out on April 20, and I plan on seeing it more then once!

[NoCalMike]

This is on my must-see list. We had a sneak peak here in Sacramento for Shaun, which sold out, so I hope we get one for Hot Fuzz as well.

[Downhome]

I'm going to try to go to a screening of next week, complete with a Q&A as well. Thanks for posting your review and thoughts, sounds great.

[PLAGIARISM!]

Enjoyed the film. Not as good as SOTD, and when it started I was expecting a love in with just one 'oh look who it is' after the other, but Dalton was a great villain and Nick Frost is very good despite a lack of experience.

[Downhome]

Canadian Destroyer213, how long did the Q&A and everything after the movie actually last?

[AndrewTS]

I had heard it was opening April 6th. Ah well, no biggie. Is it going to be getting a wide release or no?

[cd213]

Canadian Destroyer213, how long did the Q&A and everything after the movie actually last?

 

It lasted for about 30 minutes or so. The guys were really cool. Like I stated afterwards I met them. They hung around for a while talking with everyone and signing everything that people had. Security was cool to allow this to happen.

[Garth]

I have a lot of love for this film. I especially love the scene with Simon Pegg talking to each one of his superiors. Each was more brilliant than the last.

 

I'll always have a soft spot for Edgar, he's pals with the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster and got them onto the soundtrack for SOTD. What a guy.

[Downhome]

Just as I said I was going to do, I did go to the screening and Q&A in Atlanta, GA this past Wednesday night. It was, without a doubt, my favorite event that I've ever attended in my life. The theater was packed, and I'm pretty sure that they had to turn people away. I got there very early, and stood in line (I was about six back or so from the front) for a few hours. Little did I know that I actually had a priority pass and didn't have to stand in line, but hey, what are ya gonna do?

 

Anyway, the theater was totally packed, so I'd say there were about 350 to 450 rabid Pegg, Frost, and Wright fans in all, depending on how many the theater actually holds. The movie received numerous standing ovations and extended periods of applause once the movie was over. During the movie, everyone was laughing, clapping, and everything else. So much so that we all missed a few follow up jokes quite a few times, so I'm going to be sure to go watch the movie once it's released wide.

 

The main bit that got the loudest pop was when:

 

Simon Pegg delivered a dropkick to the face of a shotgun wielding granny!

 

After the movie was over and the credits started to roll, you could just tell that everyone in the theater was blown away by what they had just watched. The Q&A then started with Pegg, Frost, and Wright and it lasted around one hour. All three of them told great stories, talked about their careers, and just had fun with the fans as they interacted with us all. It turns out that Wednesday was actually Nick Frost's birthday as well, so we all sang happy birthday to him twice as he was given a birthday cake. After all of that was over, anyone who wanted to meet the three guys and get autographs and pictures could do so. I got all three of them to sign my Spaced box set as well as my R2 version of Shaun of the Dead.

 

If any of you live near where a screening will be taking place, go to it! I drove about two hours or so to get to the theater in Atlanta, and waited outside for around three or four hours, and it was more than worth it.

 

As for the movie itself, my opinion is more than likely skewed because of everything that took place, but I liked it just as much as Shaun of the Dead, and it gets my highest recommendation. Even if you can't watch a screening of Hot Fuzz, then at least go watch it when it opens wide.