Hot Fuzz [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done very well for themselves with a series of films taking a modern, humorous look at the films that they (and I) grew up with. Shaun of the Dead was a great pastiche of the schlock horror genre, and Hot Fuzz was a perfect take on action films.

Utilising every cliché in the book, we are treated to the tale of one man's mission to bring law and order to a sleepy rural village. Taking off everything from the Bill to Die Hard, and passing through every station in between, it's a rollercoaster of a ride packed with thrills and mystery. And jokes. Lots of jokes. It's hilarious.

Added into the mix is a fine roster of British actors. Jim Broadbent is absolutely superb as the commander of the local police force. Sterling work comes from Timothy Dalton in a great riff on his Bond characterisation (crossed with an Agatha Christie villain!) and the late Edward Woodward, who plays an elderly version of the Equaliser with his usual charm. Paddy Considine, Bill Bailey, Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, Paul Freeman and, basically, anyone who is anyone in British TV and film get a llok in. Central to all of this is the pairing of Pegg and Frost, who's easy going friendship holds the whole film together and stops it being too much of a rambling mess.

I absolutely loved this film. It's a funny, affectionate look at films I love, played out with great charm by a cast who are obviously enjoying themselves enormously. 5 stars.

The Reel Heroes edition offers a different sleeve, but is otherwise exactly the same as the normal Blu Ray in terms of extras.

Hot Fuzz is an excellent film. I have yet to be dissapointed with this team's work. Hot Fuzz continues the trend of Shaun of the Dead where it pays homage to a genre while creating and developing its own characters and story.

In Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg is a good London cop - so good he is promoted to seargant in a small town where he is supposedly useless because nothing ever happens. His partner is the inept Danny, played by Nick Frost - who is just as funny and a bit more useful than he was in Shaun of the Dead (well, he doesn't screw up as much). Cameos read like a who's who of british comedy with Steve Coogan, Martin Freeman, and Bill Bailey making appearances.

A lot of reviewers have stated that this just isn't funny. It's funny, but Pegg and Wright, in penning the script have gone for some big in jokes, carefully inserted that to the regular movie goer, may go over their head. There's also a type of humour here that not every film goer will get. Part of Simon Pegg's success as a comedian is his dry, deadpan delivery. In many ways he reminds me of a young Bill Murray.

This film doesn't seem as successful because the action genre is just not as much in our current mindset as the horror genre. So one liners and fun dialogue exchangers are replaced by a lot of visual gags. Unfortunately, this means the characters aren't quite as developed as they are in Shaun of the Dead. This isn't a big deal - it's an action movie after all - but it was one of the charms of both Spaced and Shaun.

The finale of the film (possible spoiler) however, features a pitch perfect action scene. Here, the filmakers show their range by creating a brilliant action sequence that also has many of their trademark hilarious moments. It's not Shaun funny, but it still shows these guys have a lot more up there sleeves. So what's next - sci fi? western?

This film is sensational! From the stunning lead performance of Simon Pegg, through to the wonderful supporting roles of Edward Woodward, Nick Frost and Timothy Dalton this film is quite frankly flawless. An engrossing and engaging story is slickly directed by Edgar Wright. The film's fast pace and sharp visuals never compromise the character development or the engaging story ark. If you require CGI, high budgets or pointless empty plots this is not the film for you. However if like me you are tired of turning up to over-hyped, under thought-out, weak Hollywood films, this may be for you. It is both essentially English and also probably the best of British. It is dark, funny, insightful, moving and original. If you do not like this film I suggest the next thing you review is a mirror. Five and half stars.