Hot Fuzz

After a record-breaking arrest record, Police Constable Nicolas Angel (Simon Pegg) is promoted by his superiors (Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman) to Sergeant of a tiny precinct in the country town of Sanford-Glousteshire, a model village that mysteriously is free of crime. Heading up the station is Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent) assisted by the rest of the officers including his son, Danny (Nick Frost,) with whom Angel forms a friendship. Shortly after his arrival, Sanford experiences a series of grisly murders which the rest of the police force writes off as simple accidents. What he eventually uncovers turns out to be something truly odd and even a bit disturbing.

Hot Fuzz is an adrenaline rush even in the calming moments. The quick edits and close angles bring the film's pacing into close-quarters, along with well-used jump-cuts and appropriate scoring appropriately cause the adrenaline to flow generously and efficiently. Every action movie convention is used, including the impassioned speech by our hero to the bad guys before the big showdown. It's an excellent combination leading to a well-written and heartfelt film. And I love the British Comedy!!

This is one of my favorite films; I could seriously watch it over and over and over again, and still have room for one more time after that. The construction of action, drama, comedy and thrills builds a brilliant piece of cinema. The casting with Pegg, Frost, Broadbent and Timothy Dalton rounds out a quality performance of all involved. The sets are brilliant, together with beautiful color and great costumes, rounding out a beautiful package.

I particularly enjoy the monologuing, particularly Simon Pegg's Angel's. He is the perfect balance of sensitivity and ice-cold calm with a bit of in-your-face swagger. He's got that stiff, British charm I love so much which is another reason why this is one of my favorites. He's cast perfectly against Broadbent's disturbing geniality and Dalton's wickedly hilarious menace. Also well-done is Nick Frost as the comic relief and warmth of the piece. Also memorable are spot-performances by Bill Nighy and Martin Freeman.

Just brilliant...enough said!!

****

IN: Martin Freeman

OUT: Jim Broadbent

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