Plot
Top London cop Nicholas “Nick” Angel – is a little too good, and too by the book for his superiors – so they “promote” him to Sergeant at a small rural town of Sandford Gloucestershire.
There he meets the zany townsfolk, with a lead Inspector Frank Butterman, who oversees a police force with several interesting and incompetent characters… including his son
Danny.
When a series of deaths start occurring, which Nick’s colleagues and superiors put down to ‘accidents’ – Nick thins there is more to it than meets the eye.
Direction
Directed by Edgar Wright, the second of the Cornetto trilogy. He pairs brutal almost ‘horror’ violence (not quite as violent as SotD) with laugh out loud comedy.
His usual quick cuts, as well as close ups of ‘the mundane’ have a very QT feel to it, but his add of comedy makes it his own.
Cast
Simon Pegg plays Nick, in the second of the “Cornetto Trilogy”. His inability to ‘turn off’ being a cop is what leads to his relationship breakup and reassignment to the small town.
Nick Frost plays Danny,
Timothy Dalton plays Simon Skinner, the manager of the local supermarket.
Jim Broadbent plays Frank, the chief of police, and Danny’s father – who is incapable of seeing that there is more to these ‘accidents’.
Paddy Considne, Rafe Spall, Kelvin Eldon, Karl Johnson, Bill Bailey (as twins?) and OIivia Coleman as the police force working under Insp Butterman.
A who’s who of British cast appear as well including and not limited to Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Stuart Wilson, Rory McCann, Stephen Merchant, David Bradley and Lucy Punch.
Cate Blanchett and Steve Coogan appear uncredited early in the film as well.
Breakdown
Starting with a “serious” introduction to Nick – which in the way it is shown you know you are getting a very funny film from some very funny people. We soon learn that Nick is a ‘little’ too good for his superiors to handle, so they boot him off to a small town hours away (as an Australian – I can’t fathom that 2hrs is “far”).
He quickly tries to assert his authority, but finds the small town isn’t used to his level of perfection, from the way he speaks and gives titles to people (Police “OFFICER”), or to his inability to get his Inspector to understand consequences (his son was going to drink drive – but its all for the ‘greater good of the town).
From there is a fun bit of an almost “whodunnit” where Nick investigates a series of deaths – which we the audience know is being executed by a cloaked figure – and his superiors believe to be just tragic accidents.
He also finds that there is an overzealous NWA (Neighbourhood Watch Alliance ) that tries to make sure the town is going to win the town of the year – and will do anything from getting rid of graffiti, to getting rid of a ‘human statue… and getting rid of… well.. anything that will stand in their way…
The reveal in the final act that the murders are all committed by the NWA – who are getting rid of people who are standing in their way of winning the Best Town Award. It is so on point in the film, and if it just works.
The final shootout between Nick/Danny and the NWA lets Danny get his “Point Break” moment when Daddy dearest (who is the leader) gets away at one stage. It is all over the top silly and hilarious at the same time.
Overall
Very very funny, and like SotD before it very very violent.
The cast all do a great job, and you will laugh out loud many times throughout the film.
The overall ‘reason’ behind all the deaths is also so silly and hilarious that you can’t help but laugh.
4/5
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