HOT FUZZ: The Forum Reviews Options

[Wife Of Rolex]

NOTE FROM CHAPMAN BAXTER: We've decided to turn this thread into the central repository of all the Hot Fuzz reviews scattered across the forum. It has been stitched together using posts from several other threads, so you might notice some odd continuity.

I am going to say something I thought I'd never say. Just over 2 years ago I bought a DVD that contained the digital information which allowed me to watch the film Shaun Of The Dead. Since then I have viewed it to be the best ever film ever made ever. I thought it was very - no, more than that - very very unlikely that a film made after it would come along to surpass it and that has very much been the case...

...until now.

Hot Fuzz is by far the best ever film ever made ever. At least the best ever British film ever made bar SotD. Nothing about this film is a letdown - if anyone says different, they're lying! Everything is on such a level of brilliance it blows anything else out the water. The acting is spot on, the editing is brilliant, the dialogue is superb - not a word or delivery is wrong, the action sequences are both brutal and beautifully shot, the soundtrack is fantastic and the direction - naturally - is wicked, but the over-riding and clear reason this film is so great is the writing. Simon and Edgar haven written a tight and flawless script which has been shot to perfection. They have excelled themselves and should be thoroughly proud of what they've produced. The hard work has paid off and then some.

This is the best I've seen Simon act. He plays it totally straight and it works for the script brilliantly. Simon does a subtle and beautiful job of giving Nicolas Angel screen presence. He's the complete hero and you find yourself falling in love with Nicolas/Simon 10 times over. Nicolas is the ultimate cop and, if handled wrongly, could've come across as an anal so and so. But Simon gives him subtlety, pathos, determination and a sexy physicality. In short...


Nicolas Angel makes Shaft look like a fuckin' Ewok!


The other thing about Nicolas is his touching partnership with Nick's character, Danny Butterman. Nick really comes into his own in Hot Fuzz. As Danny Nick gives him natural comedy to great effect - with particular deft use of timing (just see what he can do when the script is of this quality) but more stunningly, a melancholic tone that shows just how much he's grown as an actor in the slightly heavier scenes.

The blossoming partnership is a joy to watch unfold and you feel a real friendship grow between the characters. While the script doesn't dwell on the schmultzy side of things much it still retains a tenderness that balances out the action and comedy with well thought out design.

The other aspect that screams at you as you watch it - especially so on a big screen - is just how much thought and effort has gone into every shot. The camera work is stunning and right from the opening scene you feel you're in the middle of what's going on. You're in the Sergeant's office, you're on the train with Nicolas, you're in Somerfields. The dialogue too, it's just word perfect. Clever play on words pepper the script and swearing is used as it should be, not for the sake of it. It's just diamond.

There's nothing half-hearted in Hot Fuzz, not even the brief cameos. The plot, too, works fantastically and the pace never lets up. The twists are well done, gore is plenty but not ridiculous and crucially...it's very very VERY funny. Your ears will be shot, your nerves will be blown and your laughing gland will get a firm two footed kick in the face!

If you love Shaun Of The Dead then you'll love this either just as much or even more. Watch this film and LOVE IT!!!


Other things from the film...

- Clever references to Shaun Of The Dead

- He-Man

- Rafe Spall - Damn hot!

- A brilliant nod to Simon and Nick's pub quiz team days

- An 'Oh, was that him!' name in the credits

- Simon in a vest/open shirt - even hotter than Rafe!

- An extra bit of Bill Bailey

- A couple of stalwart Spaced shots



To Simon, Edgar, Nick and everyone else who worked on Hot Fuzz...you're bloody brilliant.



Wife Of Rolex

[dolfyn]

Yeah, but did you like it?

Nicolas Angel makes Shaft look like a fuckin' Ewok! 

Nice twist on a Spaced quote there, Wifey. Thanx for the review.

Feel the love.
dolfyn.

[Wife Of Rolex]

Yeah, but did you like it? 

Er...yeah. Yeah, it was alright.



Wife Of Rolex

[Heff]

excuse me while I have anticipatory palpitations on the floor....

[m0r1arty]

It's almost like waiting for Christmas again when you are wee...

I cannae wait!

-m0r

[Imlovinit]

Great review Wifey!

[Jimmay]

gore is plenty but not ridiculous

HAHAHAHA. Did you go to the toilet during some of it or something? I loved the gore but the whole film is ridiculous, and thats why I loved it so much

[dolfyn]

I loved the gore but the whole film is ridiculous, and thats why I loved it so much

Well, all action movies are ridiculous if you look at them with cold hard logic. But the good ones make the ridiculous believable. And that's why they're fun.

Feel the love.
dolfyn.

[Jimmay]

Well, all action movies are ridiculous if you look at them with cold hard logic. But the good ones make the ridiculous believable. And that's why they're fun. 

Feel the love.
dolfyn.

True. I think where this film excelled was that the plot, gore, action sequences and shmultzy bits (including the music) were really over the top but because it was deliberate and directly compared to Point Break etc. it made it the whole purpose of the film...if that makes sense.

[curtinparloe]

HAHAHAHA. Did you go to the toilet during some of it or something?

I nearly did during the review.

[Wife Of Rolex]

HAHAHAHA. Did you go to the toilet during some of it or something? I loved the gore but the whole film is ridiculous, and thats why I loved it so much

Well, all action movies are ridiculous if you look at them with cold hard logic. But the good ones make the ridiculous believable. And that's why they're fun. 

Feel the love.
dolfyn.

Dolfyn pretty much gets what I meant. By ridiculous I meant laughable, which the gore in Hot Fuzz isn't. It's brilliantly done. In some films the gory bits can come across as a bit shit but here it's just right.


Wife Of Rolex

[Jimmay]

Dolfyn pretty much gets what I meant. By ridiculous I meant laughable, which the gore in Hot Fuzz isn't. It's brilliantly done. In some films the gory bits can come across as a bit shit but here it's just right.
Wife Of Rolex

I know what you mean, but there was one bit where the gore was stupidly over the top, I think you know which bit I mean, but the unexpectedness of how muchb of it they showed made it hilarious.

And I agree with you that the swearing in the film was only put in when needed and not every other line. Made it much funnier whenever they did swear.

[feckless_dykey_p...]

Great review, Wifey! I'm on tenterhooks now

[theevilresident1...]

Thanks for a great review!

[Wife Of Rolex]

I know what you mean, but there was one bit where the gore was stupidly over the top, I think you know which bit I mean, but the unexpectedness of how muchb of it they showed made it hilarious.

And I agree with you that the swearing in the film was only put in when needed and not every other line. Made it much funnier whenever they did swear.

Well yeah, when the... and then... and it...

But still fantastic.

Great review Wifey! 

Great review, Wifey! I'm on tenterhooks now 

Thanks for a great review!

Thanks, glad you like it. I can't tell you how much of it was just swirling around my head on the bus home. I was bursting by the time I got online!


Wife Of Rolex