Hot Fuzz Moriarty

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AICN's Drew McWeeney (a.k.a., "Moriarty") is calling Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's Hot Fuzz (Focus Features, 4.20) "an instant classic" in the vein of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's Used Cars. The film has also persuaded him that Wright and Pegg "are great screenwriters [because] they've managed to take the things they did well in Shaun of the Dead and do them again, and I think they've actually fixed what they needed to fix, structural issues that sort of deflate Shaun for some of the third act."

Germain interviews Murphy<< previous | next >>"The Orphanage"

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 12, 2007 at 12:17 PM

comment #1

p.Vice says ...

Since when is making a movie like Used Cars worthy of merit? When these idiots make an "instant classic" in the vein of Cast Away, let me know.

Posted by p.Vice at February 12, 2007 1:10 PM

comment #2

ROTC says ...

Cast Away is an "instant classic"?????????? Seemed more like two wasted hours of my life I'll never get back.

I wouldn't call Used Cars an instant classic, but it is certainly a cult one.

Posted by ROTC at February 12, 2007 1:15 PM

comment #3

JD says ...

For my money, Used Cars is the best film Zemeckis will ever make. Cast Away is occasionally worthwhile, but it has an uninspired, clumsily schematic structure, one of the worst third acts I've ever seen, and it fails miserably in its shallow stab at significance/thematic weight.

Posted by JD at February 12, 2007 1:27 PM

comment #4

Arran says ...

I think it probably will be an instant classic from a geekboy perspective.

Which means I'll love it. I'm fully expecting this to be my favourite movie of the year.

Posted by Arran at February 12, 2007 1:49 PM

comment #5

Mike Schaefer says ...

That will be 2 cop-parody movies in 6 weeks, as the Reno 911 flick opens at the end of this month. I saw the Reno trailer in a packed house before Borat in November and the audience howled almost as loudly for the trailer as they did for Borat.

But I liked Shaun, so I'll look forward to Fuzz.

Posted by Mike Schaefer at February 12, 2007 1:56 PM

comment #6

christian says ...

i'm there. but CAST AWAY? that cartoon about fed ex losing a beachball? didn't hanks do one of the voices?

Posted by christian at February 12, 2007 2:21 PM

comment #7

Geoff says ...

Holy shit, Cast Away??

Posted by Geoff at February 12, 2007 2:50 PM

comment #8

Geoff says ...

Holy shit, Cast Away??

Posted by Geoff at February 12, 2007 2:51 PM

comment #9

Geoff says ...

Oh c'mon, stupid submission error.

Posted by Geoff at February 12, 2007 2:51 PM

comment #10

jeffmcm says ...

Take away every scene involving Helen Hunt from Cast Away and it's a four-star masterpiece.

Posted by jeffmcm at February 12, 2007 2:53 PM

comment #11

Pelham123 says ...

"Shaun of the Dead" was brilliant. I hope "Hot Fuzz" is more of the same. These guys are very talented.

Posted by Pelham123 at February 12, 2007 3:07 PM

comment #12

breadlymoore says ...

So Drew was flown to London, wined and dined by the studio, given free access to interviews, put up in a nice hotel...

And weeks later, a glowing review.

Well, ain't it funny is more like it.

Posted by breadlymoore at February 12, 2007 3:46 PM

comment #13

Craptastic says ...

What's this "Green Planet" movie Shamalamadingdong is doing with Brice Dallas Howard? Keep hearing snippets here and there... but no story info and such.

Anyone know about this?

Posted by Craptastic at February 12, 2007 3:48 PM

comment #14

Devin Faraci says ...

So Drew was flown to London, wined and dined by the studio, given free access to interviews, put up in a nice hotel...

And weeks later, a glowing review.

Well, ain't it funny is more like it.

Posted by: breadlymoore [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 12, 2007 03:46 PM

Different studio. Nice try.

Posted by Devin Faraci at February 12, 2007 3:53 PM

comment #15

Geoff says ...

Cast Away never had the chance to be a masterpiece. Added to Helen Hunt, they gave away the whole fucking movie in the trailer and commercials.

Posted by Geoff at February 12, 2007 4:01 PM

comment #16

Craptastic says ...

LOL! "Nice try"!

Change the studio name and the point still remains the same. (and a good one, at that)

Plus, Drew seems to have serious anger issues. Don't make him angry.

Posted by Craptastic at February 12, 2007 4:03 PM

comment #17

jeffmcm says ...

"they gave away the whole fucking movie in the trailer and commercials."

So? Are you unable to watch The Wizard of Oz because you know (SPOILERS) that she makes it home at the end too?

Posted by jeffmcm at February 12, 2007 4:12 PM

comment #18

jeffmcm says ...

Oh yeah, it's true: Drew will go into a hulk-esque rage for no reason. Can't imagine why Mr. McWeeny would have anger management issues...

Posted by jeffmcm at February 12, 2007 4:13 PM

comment #19

Geoff says ...

I was simply left with a nice plane crash sequence and a short film on what it would be like to be stranded on an island. It would be lonely.

Posted by Geoff at February 12, 2007 4:13 PM

comment #20

Craptastic says ...

Yeah... it kills me how he goes NUTS on the very people (fellow nerds) that put money in his pocket. Ever see him go nuts on talkbackers? Its rage-a-rific.

Posted by Craptastic at February 12, 2007 4:17 PM

comment #21

storymark says ...

I don't know. Reading an average AICN talkback generally puts me into a rage, based on the sheer stupidity on display. And they're not attacking me personally.

Posted by storymark at February 12, 2007 4:39 PM

comment #22

twinsdad says ...

I don't think Drew is as pathetic as Harry. Most of Harry's 10 best list were movies shown at his BNAT movie marathon including Rocky 6 or 7 (or whichever one it was) and a couple movies that are not even out yet.

One thing I like about Drew is he gets the occasional review from Neil Cumpston including this week's howler on '300'.

Posted by twinsdad at February 12, 2007 4:49 PM

comment #23

The Pimpstick of Christ says ...

Drew is not as pathetic as Harry? That's comparing a pimple to a zit.

And Devin, how can you type with Drew's cock in your mouth? I'm impressed, that's pretty talented.

Posted by The Pimpstick of Christ at February 12, 2007 4:59 PM

comment #24

MASON says ...

It's not Moriarty. It's "Drew McWeeney, Los Angeles"

Posted by MASON at February 12, 2007 5:07 PM

comment #25

The Movie Man says ...

"And Devin, how can you type with Drew's cock in your mouth? I'm impressed, that's pretty talented."

Yeah I can't imagine why Drew would rage at the AICN talkbackers with all the coolheaded, clear film debate on display. Be gone AICN talkbackers! And forget you ever came across HE!

Posted by The Movie Man at February 12, 2007 6:51 PM

comment #26

Drew says ...

Awwwww... you guys are gonna make me blush if you keep it up.

"So Drew was flown to London, wined and dined by the studio, given free access to interviews, put up in a nice hotel...

And weeks later, a glowing review.

Well, ain't it funny is more like it."

You cracked the case!

Only... Universal didn't know I was going to London, and they didn't invite me to see the movie, and they didn't have anything to do with where I stayed, and they gave me no access to anyone or anything.

But otherwise, top-notch detective work!

Posted by Drew at February 12, 2007 8:22 PM

comment #27

David Ehrlich says ...

saw hot fuzz this afternoon. not quite as hysterical as shaun of the dead was upon first viewing (though it certainly promises that it will reward innumerable future viewings) but undeniably a "better" film. moreover, as an exercise in genre deconstruction, its a fucking masterpiece.

Posted by David Ehrlich at February 12, 2007 9:05 PM

comment #28

christian says ...

well, tho drew banned me long ago from aicn for the limpest of reasons -- testament to his early days of fanboy rage -- he's mellowed and i trust his reviews more than the others. he particularly aptly ripped tony scott for the awful DOMINO...

Posted by christian at February 12, 2007 9:50 PM

comment #29

Drew says ...

You'll love the DOMINO stuff in HOT FUZZ, Christian.

And I'll tell you what... give me your old screen name, and I'll happily unban you. Hell, I'd even happily unban Jeffmcm, but I'm sure he'd rather just grumble about me. It makes him warm and fuzzy.

And David Erlich, you must be bought and paid for by Universal! Only if you are bought and paid for would you like this film!

See it a second time. Everyone's performance seems totally different when you do.

Posted by Drew at February 12, 2007 11:12 PM

comment #30

christian says ...

well now that's a nice gesture drew...i'll send it your way...

now about that trip you offered me...

Posted by christian at February 12, 2007 11:21 PM

comment #31

DavidF says ...

This thread is making me want to watch Cast Away again.

Why don't YOU try acting almost an entire movie with yourself and a volleyball. If Hank hadn't just won two Oscars the credit for that performance would have been through the roof.

If you say you didn't get misty when (SPOILER!) Wilson drifts away you're either lying or soulless. And if you can't give credit to a film for making you care about a volleyball...well, too bad for you.

And the whole "Fed Ex commercial" criticism doesn't play with me any more than a criticism of, say, Ferris Bueller's Day Off for being a Ferrari commercial.

Posted by DavidF at February 13, 2007 6:31 AM

comment #32

EDouglas says ...

I've seen Hot Fuzz and though I've been told that ALL reviews are embargoed until April, it's quite good and very funny... just not nearly as brilliant as Simon and Edgar's drinking buddies make it sound with their embargo-sidestepping reviews.

Glass houses, Devin...

Posted by EDouglas at February 13, 2007 9:05 AM

comment #33

craiged says ...

Dont really see any point of an april review embargo when it opens in the UK tomorrow

Posted by craiged at February 13, 2007 9:55 AM

comment #34

jeffmcm says ...

Drew, you can unban me if you also apologize for doing it in the first place. Not that I really care since I simply log in under a different username on the rare occasions that I feel a need to comment.

Posted by jeffmcm at February 13, 2007 11:10 AM

comment #35

Craig Kennedy says ...

McWeeney is a decent read. His opinions don't always align with my own, but they often do where it counts and why would I want to read a guy who just agreed with me all the time?

I don't read most reviews until after I've seen a movie so the author's motives for writing are irrelevant. As long as he is a thoughtful writer (he is) who likes some of the same movies I do (he does), then nothing else really matters.

I've never met the guy. We've never had a conversation. I may have seen him at Dave's once upon a time in the halcyon days of Laserdiscs, but I wouldn't have known it. He might be the biggest jerk ever. Or he might not. Who cares?

Posted by Craig Kennedy at February 13, 2007 12:27 PM

comment #36

The Movie Man says ...

cj's got it right, let's say the worst is true and these circumstances are influencing the reviews (and I think Harry is a bad case of that, he more or less likes everything and his reviews are so indulgent and laced with hyperbole as to be practically unreadable), so what? This isn't life or death people.

And, for the record, I think Drew is one of the better online critics right now, he's a pretty unpretentious mix of fanboy and cinephile and, as for actual pure opinion, more reliable for me than Ebert for the most part.

But Drew, Tsotsi for Best Picture? Really?

Posted by The Movie Man at February 13, 2007 12:56 PM

comment #37

DarthCorleone says ...

The island section of Cast Away was brilliant. The rest was only so-so for me. I wouldn't blame Helen Hunt. I just don't think the frame story was that compelling. It was far too heavyhanded to be emotionally resonant for me.

Posted by DarthCorleone at February 13, 2007 1:43 PM

comment #38

Geoff says ...

DarthCorleone: I agree. I mean, I like any movie where a director chooses to convey a story with practically no dialogue. I just get a little confused when people are eager to nudge the word masterpiece or brilliant in there somewhere.

Posted by Geoff at February 13, 2007 2:07 PM

comment #39

christian says ...

i like CAST AWAY for one thing:

the final shot of hanks looking at the crossroads. beyond subtle for a zemeckis film.

Posted by christian at February 13, 2007 2:19 PM

comment #40

Drew says ...

The Movie Man...

TSOTSI hit me at the exact right moment. I was a new dad, and I am, as most creative people are to some degree, a big man-boy. I want to maintain my ability to just lose myself in movies all day or spend a week working on script pages, but all of a sudden, I had this other person completely dependent on me for everything.

TSOTSI crystallized all the feelings that I was going through, and did it so simply, in such an unadorned fashion, that it pretty much flattened me.

That's why I think you can't just write a quick infoblurb type of review. Someone else may have seen TSOTSI and rejected it completely, but my personal take on it was obviously influenced by what I was going through when I saw it.

Posted by Drew at February 13, 2007 2:21 PM

comment #41

Drew says ...

And, EDouglas, you're doing it again.

You're accusing someone of breaking an embargo, and you don't know what you're talking about.

I broke no HOT FUZZ embargo. If you're being told you can't write about it by Rogue/Focus, that's your problem. But I think you should turn the snide down considerably, because you're wrong. Period.

Posted by Drew at February 13, 2007 2:24 PM

comment #42

The Movie Man says ...

Drew-I respect that. That was more a "I kid because I love" kind of statement than anything else anyway. The only beef I really have with you is canceling your full time DVD spin off site, that was a nice place to go.

Posted by The Movie Man at February 13, 2007 2:33 PM

comment #43

EDouglas says ...

Not you so much, Drew, but definitely Devin, and when I asked the indepedendent publicist handling the movie who told me that they were asking reviews to be held since these were early preview screenings, they said that "Devin was flown to UK to see the movie and do a press event with the filmmakers" which as all three of us know is COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLSHIT.

And maybe you and AICN don't believe in the embargoes that every major studio puts on ALL reviews, which is usually opening day but at the very least opening week... but it's something done to be fair to print outlets who print reviews opening day. And that's probably why online critics are getting invited to screenings later and later, making it really hard to write our stories/reviews in time for opening day.

Maybe Focus believes that these tongue-up-the-ass reviews on CHUD and AICN are necessary for their early promotion of the movie and maybe it is... but as we've seen, early reviews of The Fountain and Lady in the Water did shit to help those movies.

Posted by EDouglas at February 13, 2007 5:32 PM

comment #44

Craig Kennedy says ...

Drew, how dare you respond positively to a movie because it touched you personally!? The nerve. What kind of a studio paid shill are you anyway?

Posted by Craig Kennedy at February 13, 2007 5:58 PM

comment #45

Dellamorte says ...

So what Ed is saying is that he's hating cause he's emargoed.

Posted by Dellamorte at February 13, 2007 6:49 PM

comment #46

Drew says ...

We've been through this, Ed.

I don't break embargoes.

It's not that I don't believe in them. It's that I have cleared the publication of anything I'm invited to before I publish.

Every. Single. Time.

Sorry if we have different publication dates. It's just the way it is. I'm also sorry you feel the need to call my review a "tongue-up-the-ass" review, since it's just a sincere reaction to an excellent action-comedy.

No need to be insulting about it.

Posted by Drew at February 13, 2007 11:09 PM

comment #47

EDouglas says ...

Then that's all you have to say, Drew, that you asked Focus and they allowed you to post your review early to be a part of their marketing program. But rather than acting snotty every time I mention review embargoes that have been set in place for YEARS (at least as long as I've writing for CS), you should just say that this is the case.

But please please PLEASE don't try to act that you and Devin aren't just another part of the system and that either of your sites' journalistic or critical integrity should be taken seriously, because that goes right out the window as soon as you raise a glass or pal around with the filmmakers. (Don't get me wrong, the movie IS an excellent action-comedy and I love those guys as much as either of you, but come on, guys... at least be honest with yourselves if you're not going to be honest with your readers.)

Posted by EDouglas at February 14, 2007 4:22 AM

comment #48

EDouglas says ...

"So what Ed is saying is that he's hating cause he's emargoed."

No, you're wrong there. Au contraire, I don't want to write about the movie until I get a chance to see it again with a more critical eye because I'd been waiting a long time to see it and I want to make sure that I don't post a gushing review just from my excitement about finally getting a chance to see it.

Posted by EDouglas at February 14, 2007 4:55 AM

comment #49