Movies of the Week
Hot Fuzz, Year of the Dog, Avenue Montaigne, Vacancy
See it or skip it? This week's new movie releases By Paul Matthews
Hot Fuzz
The Wicker Man meets Lethal Weapon, Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz does to the conventions of testosterone-fuelled American cop films what his hilarious sleeper hit, Shaun of the Dead, did to those of the romantic comedy and horror genres. Nicholas Angel (Shaun’s Simon Pegg) is the toughest and most assiduous officer on the London police force. In fact, he’s too good. To keep the rest of the force from looking bad, his higher-ups (Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan and Bill Nighy) send Angel off to the sleepy, seemingly crime-free village of Sanford. There, he’s teamed with the cuddly but inept Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), son of the sure-handed police chief (Jim Broadbent) and a zealous devotee of films like Point Break and Bad Boys 2. When dead bodies start to pile up, the station’s detectives seem too ready to label them accidents. As Angel begins to dig, it becomes clear that the town has more than a few skeletons in its closet. The film’s dialogue and unique editing style crackle with infectious comic energy, and Hot Fuzz is note-perfect, well paced all the way up to its absurdly indulgent, action film–homage conclusion. While fans of Shaun of the Dead won’t find Wright’s style as fresh as newcomers will, Hot Fuzz won’t leave anyone disappointed. SEE IT NOW
Hot Fuzz is now playing at the Varsity (55 Bloor St. W.), Rainbow Market Square (80 Front St. E.), Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond St. W.) and others.
