HOT FUZZ (2007)

Summary:

Sergeant Nicholas Angel, London's most effective and overachieving police officer, is involuntarily transferred to the seemingly idyllic, crime-free village of Sandford, Gloucestershire. His superiors, tired of being shown up by his impeccable record, deem him a disruptive influence. Upon arrival, Angel struggles to adapt to the slow pace and quaint eccentricities of rural life, finding himself partnered with the well-meaning but naive Constable Danny Butterman, son of the local Inspector.

Initially, Sandford appears to be a picturesque haven, but Angel's sharp investigative instincts soon detect a sinister undercurrent beneath the surface. A series of gruesome "accidents" begin to plague the village, which the local police force, led by Inspector Frank Butterman, dismiss as unfortunate mishaps. Angel, however, suspects foul play, leading him and Danny into a deep, dangerous conspiracy involving the most unexpected members of the community, all in the name of maintaining Sandford's perfect, award-winning facade.

Keywords: Hot Fuzz, 2007, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Edgar Wright, Action-Comedy, Buddy Cop, Satire.

Plot:

The film opens by introducing Sergeant Nicholas Angel, an exceptionally proficient police officer in London. His arrest rate is 400% higher than any other officer, leading to an unprecedented 9,000 arrests in a single year. His superiors, including Chief Inspector Bob Walker and Inspector Janine, are so overshadowed by his perfection that they conspire to transfer him to the quiet, crime-free village of Sandford, Gloucestershire, claiming he makes them "all look bad." Angel is understandably distraught but accepts his fate, leaving behind his girlfriend, Janine, who is also his superior, and his beloved peace lily.

Upon his arrival in Sandford, Angel is met with a stark contrast to his urban life. The village is seemingly idyllic, populated by eccentric characters, and the local police force is more concerned with paperwork and village fetes than actual crime. He is partnered with Constable Danny Butterman, a well-meaning but somewhat dim-witted officer obsessed with action films and a desire for real police work. Danny is the son of Inspector Frank Butterman, the jovial but seemingly laid-back head of the Sandford police. Angel's initial days are frustrating, as he is assigned to mundane tasks like finding a runaway swan and dealing with minor infractions, while his colleagues treat serious issues with a baffling lack of urgency.

However, Angel's meticulous nature quickly uncovers unsettling irregularities. The first "accident" occurs when a famous actor, George Merchant, and his mistress, Leslie Tiller, are decapitated by a "gas explosion" in their cottage. Angel, noticing the highly improbable nature of the explosion and the convenient timing of a gas safety check, suspects murder. His colleagues, however, quickly dismiss his theories. Soon after, the local tabloid journalist, Tim Messenger, falls to his death from a church tower, crushed by a stone gargoyle. Again, Angel finds inconsistencies – Messenger had a mysterious note about a "meeting" – but the incident is ruled an accident. Angel's suspicions deepen when he discovers that Messenger was working on an exposé that could damage Sandford's reputation.

Angel’s relentless pursuit of answers begins to irk the villagers, particularly the Sandford Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (NWA), a powerful group comprising the town's most influential citizens. During a meeting, Tom Weaver, the solicitor and head of the NWA, delivers a chilling speech about "the greater good" and the importance of maintaining Sandford's perfect image, especially in light of the upcoming "Village of the Year" competition. Angel also encounters the mysterious Reverend Philip Shooter, who seems to know more than he lets on, and the seemingly benevolent but subtly menacing florist, Joyce Cooper.

More "accidents" follow: Joyce Cooper is killed by a falling piece of church masonry, and then the seemingly harmless elderly shopkeeper, Mr. Treacher, is also found dead. Angel, now convinced a serial killer is at large, confronts Frank Butterman, who dismisses his claims and orders him to take a holiday. Angel, however, refuses to back down. He pieces together clues, realizing that all the victims were either outsiders or individuals who threatened Sandford's pristine image or chances of winning the "Village of the Year" award. He also realizes that the NWA members are always present at the scene of the "accidents" or have convenient alibis that don't quite hold up.

Angel’s investigation leads him to the local supermarket, where he confronts the manager, Simon Skinner, who seems to know an unnerving amount about the "accidents." Angel then returns to the police station and reviews old files, discovering a shocking pattern: every year, around the time of the "Village of the Year" competition, there are numerous suspicious deaths that are consistently ruled as accidents. He realizes that the NWA is systematically eliminating anyone who could tarnish Sandford's image. He also makes a crucial connection to the death of Frank's wife, who was supposedly killed in a car accident years ago, an accident that occurred just before Sandford lost the "Village of the Year" award one year.

Armed with this information, Angel confronts the NWA in a secret underground lair beneath the Sandford Castle. He discovers that the entire council, led by Frank Butterman and Simon Skinner, are indeed the murderers. They explain their motive: maintaining Sandford's perfect, award-winning status at all costs. Frank reveals that his wife's death, which caused Sandford to lose a previous competition, was the catalyst for their extreme measures. They believe these murders are necessary for "the greater good" of the village. Angel is captured, and the NWA intends to stage his death as a suicide.

Danny, having been swayed by Angel's unwavering belief in justice and his own growing disillusionment with Sandford's facade, arrives just in time to save Angel. What follows is an explosive, action-packed showdown reminiscent of the very films Danny adores. Angel and Danny, now a formidable duo, retrieve weapons from the police station's evidence locker and engage in a high-octane battle against the NWA members throughout the village. They confront various members, including the murderous butcher, the aggressive farmers, the creepy twins, and the formidable Reverend Shooter, who proves to be surprisingly agile. The duo uses their combined skills – Angel's tactical prowess and Danny's enthusiasm and knowledge of action movie tropes – to systematically take down the NWA.

The chase culminates in a thrilling pursuit through the village, involving cars, a high-speed golf cart, and even a swan. Angel and Danny corner Frank Butterman in the model village. Frank attempts to escape, leading to a final confrontation in the village square, where he is eventually subdued. The remaining NWA members are arrested, and the truth about Sandford's dark secret is exposed. Chief Inspector Walker and Inspector Janine arrive from London, prepared to reinstate Angel, but he chooses to stay in Sandford, having found a true purpose and a loyal friend in Danny. He is promoted to Inspector, and Danny becomes Sergeant.

The film ends with Angel and Danny back at the police station, dealing with the aftermath. As they process paperwork, the last surviving member of the NWA, Tom Weaver, attempts a final, desperate attack. Angel heroically takes a pen to the neck, but it's revealed to be a mere scratch. In the ensuing struggle, Danny accidentally discharges his firearm, shooting Weaver. The final scene shows Angel, now a respected member of the Sandford community, continuing his duties alongside Danny, having truly found his place.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Simon Pegg as PC/Sgt/Insp. Nicholas Angel
• Nick Frost as PC/Sgt. Danny Butterman
• Jim Broadbent as Inspector Frank Butterman
• Timothy Dalton as Simon Skinner
• Paddy Considine as DS Andy Wainwright
• Rafe Spall as DC Andy Cartwright
• Bill Nighy as Chief Inspector Bob Walker
• Edward Woodward as Tom Weaver
• Bill Bailey as Sergeant Turner
• Olivia Colman as PC Doris Thatcher

Crew:

• Director: Edgar Wright
• Writers: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg
• Producers: Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
• Cinematography: Jess Hall
• Editor: Chris Dickens
• Composer: David Arnold

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: February 14, 2007 (UK), April 20, 2007 (US)
• Language: English
• Genre: Action, Comedy, Buddy Cop, Satire
• Running Time: 121 minutes
• Accolades: Empire Award for Best British Film, Saturn Award for Best International Film, National Movie Award for Best Action/Adventure. Nominated for numerous other awards including BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay.