ONE HARSH CRITIC: Hot Fuzz

fileId:3096224744103118;size:inter; Hot Fuzz: A Review

I'm hard on films. That's just my nature. It takes a near perfect film to leave me with much to say that isn't strictly negative. If you don't like it, I guess you're reading the wrong column.

That said, it's really hard to be "harsh" with a spoof like Hot Fuzz. While Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the minds behind this knock on action films, might not call it a spoof, I'm going to. Because that's what it is. Spoofs, by nature, are bad as they are intended to make fun of a genre or style, and therefore, criticism should really be thrown out the window. Spoofs just are what they are.

fileId:3096224744103112;size:inter; So keeping that in mind, I'll just come right out and admit that I liked this film. It was laugh out loud funny - ridiculous in every way. The story was well thought through, and was right on target, mocking blockbuster action films in all their great badness. It was over the top, cheesy and played up famous action moments from action films as far back as the mid-sixties.

The story, which isn't really that important, is of Sergeant Nicholas Angel (Pegg). The top cop in fileId:3096224744103113;size:inter; London, he made his squad look bad by breaking all Metropolitan Police records and surpassing the community's expectations. In short, he raised the bar to a higher standard than his colleagues cared to strive for. So they transferred him.

Sent to a small village in rural England, Angel was determined to uphold the law no matter how small the infraction. If a town had no crime, he was going to hand out parking tickets. It was his job.

But something wasn't quite right. A string of freak accidents didn't look like accidents, and Angel was the only one with the eyes to see it. Eventually, he mounted enough evidence against the perpetrators of these murders, and with his force of few, launched an assault on the ring of criminals.

fileId:3096224744103114;size:inter;

Hot Fuzz ends with a shoot out that would make Jerry Bruckheimer proud (well, maybe not since it is making fun of his pet genre). It also left an audience cheering. This film is just fun, from beginning to end, so I say drop the $10.75 and go have a laugh.

Just remember: It is what it is.

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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent

You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday night at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com/.

You can keep up with Josh's postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: http://filmmaker1997.gather.com/, and then select the orange "connect" button on the left hand side of the page.

You can find Josh and other Movie Correspondents, celebrity content and connect with other movie buffs at Movies.Gather.com.


	Aha! Great review, here. My son just went to see this one with his home care worker and they LOVED it. They came back still laughing about it. I heard it was GREAT. Jennifer Kirkpatrick , Apr 30, 2007, 2:05am EDT


	Nice! I was going to go see this but thought it might not be any good. Now I have reason to go after all. I'll bring Stef with me! Cheers... Michael B., Apr 30, 2007, 3:00am EDT


	We are going to try and see this movie this week......if we do I let you know what we think of it!! donna h., Apr 30, 2007, 6:12am EDT


	Cool, I need a LOL funny movie now! Laura H., Apr 30, 2007, 8:37am EDT


	Excellent review. Thanks! Sounds like my kind of movie! Kimberly Ripley, Apr 30, 2007, 9:09am EDT


	I'll havev to see it. arlene (no shame in my game) w., Apr 30, 2007, 9:12am EDT


	I couldn't disagree more. I detested Hot Fuzz as I did Shaun of the Dead. In both films there are a few funny things scattered through the first 2/3 of the film--then it turns into 30 minutes of violence and gore. The endless gunfights with everyone in the town in Hot Fuzz were tedious beyond words. I kept looking at my watch and debating whether or not to flee. Sadly, I decided against it. These guys think gross and over the top are funny. I cannot imagine them appealing to anyone over 19. I did notice that most national critics liked this pile of crap, and I am contemplating mailing them individual stink bombs. Alan Waldman, Apr 30, 2007, 9:48am EDT


	Thanks for the review. I've seen previews for this movie and wasn't sure if it was going to be worth seeing. I enjoy "spoof" movies, but this one seemed almost TOO campy for me (if that's possible). Glad to hear its actually pretty good. I might just have to check it out. Drunk Monkey, Apr 30, 2007, 10:49am EDT


	I loved Shaun of the Dead so I'm sure I'll like this one too. Some friends have told me its about 20 min too long - did you feel that way at all? Alex M., Apr 30, 2007, 12:21pm EDT


	Thanks for reading guys -- Its not perfect. It drags in places, yes. But you have to go into it with the will to laugh -- and you will. I liked this better than Shaun of the Dead, perhaps because I'm a big horror fan. Check it out... If you hate it, I guess you hate it. My bet is more people than not will at least be entertained (and I hate everything). ONE HARSH CRITIC, Apr 30, 2007, 12:31pm EDT


	Maybe my hubby and I will sneak out for this one. Thanks for the review. We don't get much advertising over here so I never know much about what's playing (perhaps that's a blessing most of the time). Janna O'Donnell, Apr 30, 2007, 12:51pm EDT


	Thanks for the review, but I'll wait for it on DVD. I laughed a little on Shaun of the Dead, but I'm not a big fan of spoof movies, especially when I have to spend $8 to see them. Somehow, I enjoy them better at home. Aurora D., Apr 30, 2007, 2:28pm EDT


	It looks fairly decent, from the ad previews as well. I really enjoyed Rowan Atkinson's 'Johnny English,' so I'd probably like this "Britspoof" as well. It's nice to see something different, a bit off the beaten track, once in a while (or more often). I see Mr. Pegg also narrates those little Dr. Who behind-the-scenes documentaries that have been showing up on PBS lately. His voice does seem to have a familiar ring. What are some of his other films? Thanks for the great review, and have a good week! Visionaerie B., Apr 30, 2007, 7:05pm EDT


	It sounds like it's pretty funny. I may do this one at the local discount show. Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D., May 1, 2007, 1:40am EDT


	Yeah, this was the last movie I saw in Los Angeles, so of course, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I agree, I was surprised by how much I liked this movie, and how loud I can laugh...I think I scared the people sitting in front of me. Rachel S., May 1, 2007, 1:20pm EDT


	You forgot to mention the excellent, excellent cast. Other than that, I couldn't agree with you more; critiquing a spoof like this is unnessesary, since 1) it is a send up of an already silly, over-the-top genre and 2) it is what it is, and doesnt' aspire to anything higher or more meaningful. I saw it a while back in a preview, and the crowd was very receptive. Really silly and a lot of fun! Jennifer M, May 1, 2007, 7:25pm EDT


	Thanks, you changed my mind about this movie. De ( Villagers, 1/2 the carbs all the taste!) M., May 1, 2007, 9:56pm EDT


	I loved Shaun of the Dead, so I'm definitely going to see Hot Fuzz! Donna K., May 1, 2007, 10:36pm EDT


	Good review ... just saw this tonight and it was enjoyable and cute. One funny thing I like about it was the slick segways between scenes, cutting quick and timing perfect. Another thing that kept nagging at me was .... where have I seen all these faces before, who are all these people? A very fun movie. Bruce K., May 2, 2007, 5:37am EDT


	Good review, glad to hear you liked it. I may just go see this film. I was unsure at first but I admit that it does look funny. Thanks! Courtney M., May 2, 2007, 12:58pm EDT


	Thanks for the review. I enjoyed Shaun of the Dead and it sounds like I will enjoy this too. Ryan H., May 3, 2007, 1:08pm EDT


	I can't wait to go see this! I loved Shaun of the Dead and Pegg's sitcom on BBC America (name escapes me now). Kate M., May 4, 2007, 11:04pm EDT


	Well see now, that's what I say about every movie. It is what it is. If you waste your time seeing spirited away, that's your own fault. I have never heard of this one. Thanks jeremy g., May 5, 2007, 1:55am EDT


	My favorite saying "It is what it is" Terry S., May 6, 2007, 9:24am EDT


	Now awaiting your review of Spiderman 3, Josh. Enoch Allen, May 7, 2007, 11:43pm EDT


	I thought the movie was clever and hilarious. I enjoyed as much as I did Shaun of the Dead which became an instant classic for me as soon as I watched it. Lizzybeth S., May 14, 2007, 10:31pm EDT


	I did get to see it last week and we were cracking up! donna h., May 15, 2007, 7:11am EDT


	the best part? your writing that the story isn't all that important! i'll see it, based on that sentence alone! thanks, josh! jessie voigts, May 16, 2007, 10:56am EDT


	Another to add to the old BBQ. Geri T., Jul 6, 2007, 7:31pm EDT


	Thanks for sharing your review! Talea J., Nov 1, 2007, 3:42am EDT


	Hello :o), I just wanted to say I am finally going through what is now under 6,400 pieces of gather new mail that is in my inbox on here. So with that in mind I have finally come to a piece of mail that was addressed to me in regards this article submission you have created to share with the gather community. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your piece with us here at gather. :o) And I hope you have a Happy New Year... in 2009 :o) Felicia R., Jan 7, 2009, 2:18am EST

ONE HARSH CRITIC: Hot Fuzz

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