Best Films: #101 Hot Fuzz

I may have mentioned in this space how awesome Netflix is before, but let me reiterate: My quality of life has improved by at least 20% since I got it. I even have a girlfriend now! (OK thats a lie, but I did go to a strip bar last weekend)

Anywho, the most recent arrival in my mailbox was this Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright homage to the buddy cop genre. I was unsure of how much I would like it, because I wasn't the biggest fan of their zombie romp 'Shaun of the Dead.' I mean it was pretty good, but I dunno, it just didn't really do it for me.

I guess its just a matter of personal preference and/or sobriety. In hindsight its clear this flick is right up my alley, because I've been known to enjoy a ridiculous cop movie now and again. And 'Hot Fuzz' is certainly that. It's like Bad Boys II, except hilarious, British and watchable.

The first 10 minutes sums it up better than I can (while this video is available). And if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor, watch the video and skip the rest of this post.


Tagline: Big Cops. Small Town. Moderate Violence.

Plot Spoilers: The NWA is a secret society that kills off underage drinkers and mimes so Sandford always wins the annual "Village of the Year" competition.

Memorable Quotes:

Simon Skinner: I think you will find me a slasher... of prices!

repeated line: By the power of Greyskull!

Nicholas Angel: I didn't mean to upset the apple cart.
Det. Andy Cartwright: Oh yeah, cause we all sell apples 'round here, don't we?
Danny Butterman: Your dad sells apples Andy.
Det. Andy Cartwright: And raspberries.

repeated line: SWAN!

Danny Butterman: Ever fired your gun in the air and yelled, Aaaaaaah?

Nicholas Angel: In the meantime, why don't you check out a few of Martin Blower's clients?
Det. Andy Wainwright: Martin Blower represents damn near most of the village. Do you want us to go through the whole phone book?
Det. Andy Cartwright: Yeah, we'll put a call in to Aaron A. Aaronson, shall we?
Nicholas Angel: Please, don't be childish. At least consider interviewing the widow. Martin Blower was clearly having an affair with Eve Draper.
Det. Andy Wainwright: Ohh, and how did you establish that?
Danny Butterman: [pounds table] 'Cause we sat through three hours of so-called acting last night, and the kiss was the only convincing moment in it.
Det. Andy Wainwright: All right, pipe down, biggun'
Det. Andy Cartwright: Here, what else you got, Crockett and Tubby?
Nicholas Angel: Skid marks!
Det. Andy Wainwright: Now who's being childish?

[Danny accidently shoots the town physician]
Nicholas Angel: You're a doctor, deal with it.
Danny Butterman: Yeah Motherfucker

Nicholas Angel: Mr. Porter, what's your wine selection?
Roy Porter: Oh, we've got red... and, er... white?
Nicholas Angel: I'll have a pint of lager, please.

Danny Butterman: Where's the trolley boy?
Nicholas Angel: In the freezer.
Danny Butterman: Did you say "cool off?"
Nicholas Angel: No I didn't say anything...
Danny Butterman: Shame.
Nicholas Angel: Well, there was the part that you missed where I distracted him with the cuddle monkey then i said "play times over" and I hit him in the head with the peace lily.
Danny Butterman: You're off the fuckin' chain!

[while holding a red-haired boy hostage]
Simon Skinner: Stop, or the ginger-nut gets it!

Inspector Frank Butterman: Before you could say 'gypsy scum' we were knee-deep in dog muck, thieving kids and crusty jugglers.

Nicholas Angel: Well, I wouldn't argue that it wasn't a no holds barred, adrenaline fueled thrill ride. But, there is no way you can perpetrate that amount of carnage and mayhem and not incur a considerable amount of paperwork.

Best Character: Here I gotta go with Simon Skinner played to ridiculous perfection by Timothy Dalton. He is a classic example of how Hot Fuzz uses classic cop movie cliches. The Skinner character is a take on the sinister villain in cop movies, totally over the top and obviously evil from the first scene he appears in. I especially enjoy the scenes in the supermarket.

Another reason to see it: An appearance by Stephen Merchant, as a man who has lost his swan. You may remember Merchant from his collaborations with Ricky Gervais in The Office and Extras.