A tough-as-nails English policeman jump kicks a feeble old lady in the face. So much for dry British wit. Surprisingly though, it’s over-the-top scenes like this and many others peppered throughout the film that make “Hot Fuzz” work. This action-comedy is written and directed by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, the same duo responsible for 2004’s hilarious zombie romp “Shaun of the Dead.” The film follows the exploits of Sergeant Nicolas Angel (Pegg), formerly of the London Metropolitan Police. Angel investigates a series of murders in Sandford, England, a sleepy country village where the crime rate is very low but the “accident rate” is curiously high.
If previous experiences with British comedy films have left you scratching your head or wondering how anybody can possibly understand what any of the actors are saying, then “Hot Fuzz” is made specifically for you. While there’s plenty of “Monty Python”-esque silliness to go around, it’s obvious that the writers of “Fuzz” intended to make a film that would be accessible to audiences in the US. As a result, much of the humor resembles the clever works of American parodies such as “South Park” and the “Austin Powers” movies.
Pegg’s performance is supported by a stellar ensemble cast that includes Nick Frost as an overweight constable obsessed with cheesy American action films, former-007 Timothy Dalton shines in a farcical role as a devious supermarket manager, and Paddy Considine (“24 Hour Party People,” “In America”) and Rafe Spall as a pair of surly, mustachioed and incompetent detectives. There are also cameos galore, ranging from well-known British comedians like Martin Freeman (“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “The Office”) and Steve Coogan to heavy-hitting dramatic actors such as Bill Nighy and Cate Blanchett.
“Fuzz” derives much of its charm – and all of its laughs – from Pegg’s frustrating interactions with Sandford’s local townsfolk, including the Neighborhood Watch Association and it’s bumbling police force. In one scene, two victims heads are removed in an auto collision, and are described by one officer as having been “decaffeinated.”
“Hot Fuzz” isn’t destined to become a classic, but it is an exceedingly fun film and a great way to spend two hours. If you’re looking for sight gags and over-the-top humor, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re a comedic anglophile, there are pikey references and Cornetto jokes abound. “Hot Fuzz” has laughs for both yanks and limeys alike.
