Much to Hollywood's dismay, the new British jab at our tacky American culture, "Hot Fuzz," is as humorous as it is clever - a feat most spoofs fail to achieve. From the makers of "Shaun of the Dead" (2004), this film not only makes a mockery of the typical American action flick, but also showcases America's gun obsession while simultaneously tearing apart Britain's own rural, almost unintelligible, culture of the West Country.
In a generation that has lost the ability to deliver sarcasm and wit through comedy, "Hot Fuzz" reassures us that at least somewhere on this side of the equator, people can still make films that are actually funny and not just full of dimwitted potty humor.
The plot revolves around Sergeant Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), a transfer from the "Met" in London, sent to patrol the streets (well, lovely paths) of the safest village in England. Due to his overzealous work ethic, fellow colleagues sent Angel to work alongside his new partner and exact opposite Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) to chase missing swans (yes, literally) and solve other such distressing community issues. As he slowly assimilates into the surreally idyllic atmosphere, the town experiences a series of peculiar "accidents," all seemingly linked and all smelling distinctly of ... murder. With the rest of the department writing his suspicions off as the blood-thirsty, overdramatic ramblings of a disillusioned "city" cop, Angel is left to investigate the goings-on himself.
The film has everything one would hope for in a British comedy: biting sarcasm, innuendos and lewd language contrasted against old women drinking tea. Every scene has multiple meanings and jokes, and every scene will send you to the floor with laughter. After films such as the never-ending series of "Scary Movie" (2001-2006) and "Not Another Teen Movie" (2001), it seemed almost impossible that spoofs poking fun at various genres might have something new or (gasp) funny to offer. Picking up where sarcastic films left off ("Dr. Strangelove" [1964]), Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright give hope to Brits and other dry wits everywhere. With "Shaun of the Dead" and then "Hot Fuzz," these two writers have proven quite the comedic skill.
Thanks to the comparably small size of the island on the other side of the pond, practically every talented British actor appears in the film, creating quite the entertaining ensemble. Ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton plays one of the central members of the town.
Writer/star, Pegg, brings an undeniably hysterical edge to the atypical over-worked turned compassionate hero, and combined with his co-star Nick Frost, the two together make the film. Adding to the gentle pokes at our action-stoked culture, Frost's character, Danny, is utterly obsessed with "Bad Boys II" (2003) and "Point Break" (1991), focusing especially on Keanu Reeves' emotional, captivating scene firing his gun into the air.
"Hot Fuzz" does generally focus on mocking the action genre, playing off of "Matrix" (1999) scenes, utilizing gratuitous violence and cheesy lines, but it also brings to mind overall cultural and political differences our two countries have. It brings a whole new menu of curse words, insults and lewd hand gestures to the table - something we can all benefit from.
Interestingly enough, the only problems with the film are products of the fact that it is making fun of terrible films in general. Thus the action scenes are a little long and the same overdone antics get old after a while, but after all, "Hot Fuzz" had to be so, just to drive the point(s) home.
Yet there is one real downside. Dumbed down by years of Jim Carrey-esque antics, it might take a few seconds for the jokes to connect (that is when you can understand what they are actually trying to say). At least by the end you will feel a little bit smarter, not to mention sassier, and a little more jealous of the James Bond side of the Atlantic.
