Sure, there’s a lot of blood and gore, with the killer hiding under a black cloak before hacking his victims to death.  He beheads two, leaving them in the middle of the road, and burns another, which gives us a gruesome view of a charred body.  Another falls prey to a church spire, which leads to a positively gruesome demise.  But remember, folks: it’s a parody.  So far from gratuitous violence, this stuff is actually being used to show us just how gratuitous violence usually is in cop films.  It’s a point that is very well made.

The film’s only downside is its mock occult ending—or what you will think is the ending, but which is really only cranking things up for yet another lengthy round.  It’s a bit over the top, even for a parody.  And because the film is too long anyway, it could have easily been hacked, much like one of the victims—yet missed even less.

There’s not a bad actor in the film, which is an absolute rarity.  Pegg is brilliant as the uptight Angel, and his transformation—however slight—makes us like him all the more.  You can’t help feeling sorry for the guy, even as you admire him.  And even though Danny is a real doofus, he’s a delightful one in Frost’s skillful hands.  Broadbent, as always, is flawless.  You’ll also enjoy seeing Timothy Dalton hiding behind a (twitching) mustache, as well as a full ensemble of talented actors that are sure to keep you grinning.

If you can’t take gore of any kind, even as a joke, definitely bypass this one.  If British subtlety is not your cup of tea, you probably won’t get where they’re going, either.  But if you’ve ever rolled your eyes at cop movie antics—and if you enjoy wry humor—you’ll love this cinematic poke in the ribs.  Look a little deeper and you’ll also appreciate the filmmakers’ cynical yet realistic take on organizational and societal apathy, which will resonate with anyone who has have ever tried to buck the herd.

Hot Fuzz is not for kids, but it’s very good, and it’s all in good fun.  ‘Better watch out, Hollywood.  The British are coming.
 
AUDIENCE:  Adults only

DVD EXTRAS:

• Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Commentary
• Outtakes
• “Fuzzometer” featurette
• “The Fuzzball Rally:” Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright on their U.S. press tour
• Miscellaneous short

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  Drinking throughout film (usually beer), including underage drinking by at least a dozen teenagers, who are tolerated by the pub owners but rebuked and arrested by a police officer.  Several people smoke in background.
• Language/Profanity:  Strong.
• Sexual Content/Nudity:  Mild to average.  A few indirect sexual innuendos; a couple committing adultery is gossiped about then begins to kiss onscreen.
• Violence:  Occult images of cloaked slasher/grim reaper style murderer who kills numerous victims by slashing/decapitation; shot of decapitated heads on road; shot of badly burned corpse; shot of man who is brutally decapitated on-screen.