~A village that is too good is dangerous~ "Hot Fuzz" (2007, UK/France/USA)
"Hot Fuzz"
Synopsis
Nicholas Angel, the top elite officer of the London Metropolitan Police, is transferred to the overly peaceful country town of Sandford because he is too competent and makes those around him uncomfortable.
There, he only encounters "super laid-back cases" like drowsy driving, drunks, and escaped swans.
His new partner, Danny, a movie geek, is obsessed with action films and has zero sense of urgency about his job.
The meticulous Nicholas becomes a complete outsider.
However, mysterious fatal accidents begin to occur one after another in the town.
Feeling that something is wrong with the cases being dismissed as accidents, Nicholas begins his own investigation and eventually uncovers the terrifying secret of the "Neighborhood Watch Alliance" that controls the town.
Their goal is to "protect the village's scenery and reputation."
In other words, "eliminate anyone who is unpleasant."
Burning with rage, Nicholas finally unleashes his inner action movie spirit.
He goes on a rampage through the country town, shotgun in hand, and enters into an all-out war with the seemingly kind residents.
Cast
Police Sergeant Nicholas Angel... Simon Pegg
Police Constable Danny Butterman... Nick Frost
Inspector (Chief) Frank Butterman... Jim Broadbent
Simon Skinner... Timothy Dalton (the 4th James Bond)
Staff
Director... Edgar Wright
Produced by Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Screenplay by Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg
Executive Producers: Natascha Wharton
Music: David Arnold
Something of an explanation
"When a super cop from the city is demoted to the countryside, what awaited him wasn't a slow life, but a 'British version of Battles Without Honor and Humanity'!"
A bizarre masterpiece from director Edgar Wright that fuses his love for 'buddy cop movies' with 'British small-town black humor'.
The first half is a 'countryside life comedy that is almost too peaceful,' but the second half erupts into a catastrophe where shotguns and police cars fly everywhere.
Moreover, they play this tension so seriously that you won't know whether to laugh or get fired up.
Nicholas Angel, played by lead actor Simon Pegg, is an incredibly competent police officer.
He was so excellent in London that he pushed his colleagues' mental health further than the criminals did, so...
"You make everyone else look incompetent."
He is sent to the middle of nowhere for that unreasonable reason.
However, that small town of Sandford is a tricky one.
On the surface, it's the 'most beautiful village in England.' But in reality, it's a dangerous self-governing community that will make people disappear to 'maintain the beautiful scenery.'
The script is a masterpiece, with the foreshadowing from the first half being exceptionally clever; almost every casual gag or conversation explodes in the second half.
Furthermore, it is packed with references to other films, and the love for 'excessively intense cop action movies' like 'Bad Boys II' and 'Point Break' overflows throughout the entire film.
And then, the second half.
High-level gunfights, car chases, dual-wielding pistols, explosions, and flying kicks occur one after another, making you wonder, 'They're doing this in a British country town!?'
Moreover, since the average age of the characters is high, the sight of elderly people charging with shotguns will make you feel like you're losing your mind.
The appeal of this film
The greatest charm of this work is that it depicts 'countryside daily life' and 'Hollywood-level action' with the same level of intensity.
In the first half, you are made to laugh by the surreal situation of a 'super cop running around looking for a swan'.
However, in the second half, an incredible piece of foreshadowing awaits, where 'that swan becomes an important combat asset in the climax'.
Furthermore, the progression of Danny, who grew up watching action movies, becoming a real buddy cop with Nicholas is extremely exciting.
It is not just a parody, but packed with 'love for action movies themselves,' so for some reason, you end up feeling moved by the end.
'I want to watch a movie that makes me laugh'
'But I also want action'
'And I want to be impressed by the cleverness of the script'
For such people, I can wholeheartedly recommend this British-made, excessive-firepower comedy.
Thank you for reading until the end.
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