HOT FUZZ REVIEW
UNAPOLOGETICALLY STYLISH
Nick Frost (left) and Simon Pegg (right) in Hot Fuzz (Universal, StudioCanal)
Tom Ball
Hot Fuzz is directed by master of montage; Edgar Wright. It is the second instalment in his makeshift ‘Cornetto Trilogy’ succeeding Shaun of the Dead (2004) and preceding The World’s End (2013). All three films star the timeless and ever lovable Simon Pegg and Nick Frost who remain one of this countries most successful cinematic dynamic duos. Who also starred in the two other Cornetto films as well as their stateside success; Paul (2011).
Pegg portrays perfectionist policeman; Nicolas Angel who gets ironically transferred from London’s Metropolitan Police Service too Sandford in Gloucestershire for constantly showing up his jealous colleagues. After arriving in Sandford he meets his new right-hand-man in Frank Butterman (Nick Frost). The two then embark on an investigation of the ages. Uncovering the secrets of a painfully ordinary town in England’s West Country.
The film is laced with the infectious and iconic editing styles that guide us through a somewhat insane but endlessly hilarious storyline. The tone is set instantly with an introductory montage that sums up Wright’s immaculate filmmaking prowess in the best part of 60 seconds. The perfectionism exercised throughout this sequence and the one following it only reflects Angel’s perfectionism as a police officer. On the other hand, it shows up the one dimensional and lazy approaches of popular Hollywood comedy. Edgar Wright doesn’t amuse with witty and/or crude written humour. He uses it as a side dish to a feast of visual comedy that has stayed etched into my memory more than any other Adam Sandler one liner. It also doesn’t make me worryingly question whether I’m too old and whether I’m too young at the same time like the ‘Sand-man’ does. Now obviously there is a benefit to the the comedy I am perhaps unfairly criticising. It is easy to watch. Come films that rely heavily on improv as well as humour through dialogue does feed into an experience that is easy to digest for a night-in. Therefore, it does beg the question; Is Hot Fuzz easy to watch? and the answer is an emphatic yes. It has all the giggly one liners and looks a hundred times as good delivering them from the South West of England as apposed to the beautiful metropolitans of Los Angeles and New York.
We are immediately setup with the key dynamic of the film. Angel’s unrivalled dedication to his duty as a Police Officer existing in the world of the lenient and welcoming. A brilliant example of the contrast between socially and economically diverse urban cities and the secluded and family orientated rural areas that take the law lightly. This issue is explored very precisely yet draws out the most enthralling conversations between uptight Angel and his friendly new neighbours. Angel’s suspicions about the teens are complimented with all the juiced up drama of an 80s action film. Crash zooms, dramatic close ups brilliant represent Angel’s displacement in the world he's been put in. The film then begins a journey that unravels mysteries behind the town all while Angel discovers much about himself. Furthermore, the best exercise in Pegg and Frosts unique and much loved on screen friendship. They both share an admiration for each other. They introduced to each other as complete opposites but work so brilliantly to create Britain’s shining star in the ‘Buddy Cop’ genre.
Pegg and Frost are surrounded by a cast that perform their roles as strikingly British community members excellently. They feed the dynamic between Angel and the rest of the town very well. Their welcoming and friendly personalities comes across as rather unsettling yet so easily appreciated as a someone who was raised in rural England myself. The film exists within a breeding ground of The UK’s best cinematic talent. Future Academy Award winner; Olivia Colman and now Hollywood regular Rafe Spall appear as members of the service in the film. Wright went on to direct stateside hits Baby Driver (2017) and Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010). Those films administered the same stylish, show-off styles and generate significant success and proclaim for Wright. It can only be said that the faith was manifested through Wright’s preceding masterpieces.
Hot Fuzz remains an important mast laid down by UK cinema. It deploys all the incredible romantic British details that allow to exist on our very doorstep. However, the film administers some of the best looking action sequences I've seen and blows many big budget Hollywood comedies out the water when it comes to laughs. The amusement of one liners involving beards, Bad Boys II and Cornetto’s cover every form of comedy you can imagine all while being one of greatest displays in visual comedies cinema has offered up. Wright also makes the film everything it should be. It’s aware of what it is and isn't pretending to be anything its not. Making it unapologetically stylish.