Homework: Research on Bad Boys, Point Break etc Watch trailers Class feedback

“Good over evil” vs “evil over good”? “Where the American movies show a heavily tooled-up and male combination of might and right triumphing over evil, these British films satirically and pessimistically show evil eroding the valiant forces of good.”

Professor Tom Weaver, played by Edward Woodward (who features in The Wicker Man)

Main Themes Friendship of Nicholas Angel and Dannie Butterman – link to relationship in US cop movies such as Bad Boys II and Point Break… There are many oppositions in the film (Levi Strauss and binary opposites?): –Urban vs Rural (on the surface it appears to be an idealised “heritage” Britain but dig further and things become sinister) – presented as opposites (Nicholas is a symbol or metaphor of urban life) –Good vs evil –Old vs young Subtext – what lies beneath the surface… Key characters: Nicholas Angel, Dannie (main comic vehicle?), Frank Butterman, Simon Skinner (Timothy Dalton – ex James Bond)

Narrative Linear for the most part but flash backs to the murders Intertextuality – Dannie shooting in the air invites comparisons to Point Break. Bad Boys II and Die Hard also referenced, and there are allusions to Straw Dogs and The Wicker Man Follows classic structure but seems to have 2 endings – Shaun of the Dead (first film of the Edgar Wright trilogy) – to emphasise their closeness? Nicholas Angel playing hero on classic quest, who has to make critical decisions (and is involved in an emotional struggle) regarding a moral dilemma (he has to make a series of decisions which define him) – he plays the role of the outsider entering an insular community: –Does he play the classic action hero who is defined by his physical prowess rather than any emotional or intellectual qualities? Or is he perhaps more sophisticated than this?

Comedy Blurred genre boundaries Is this a “postmodern” film in that it self-consciously parodies other types of film? Macabre or black humour Schadenfreud – laughing at the fool’s mistakes and naivety (Danny – main comic vehicle?) Eccentric characters – surreal? Satire – use of sarcasm or irony to expose folly or vice Farce – things which couldn’t ordinarily happen Parody – comic imitation of other genres Other genres: action film and British gothic/psychological thrillers (Wicker Man, Straw Dogs)

Technical Aspects Consider familiar action movie scenes and set pieces (gun fights, car chases): –Special effects? –Pace of editing? –Use of sound effects and music? –Over the shoulder shots? –Editing effects (e.g. slow motion)? –Fast pan shots? –Etc…..

Homework Write an essay answering the question: –“Hot Fuzz is an action as much as a comedy film.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Think about your main points and what evidence you have for them (reference other films like Bad Boys II, as well as key characters, themes and scenes from Hot Fuzz)

What elements do you think Hot Fuzz shares with Straw Dogs (watch clip)?

What elements do you think Hot Fuzz shares with these films? Straw Dogs (watch clip) Wicker Man Die Hard