Fandom Overview: Hot Fuzz
Hello! I am goddessdster and I'll be driving the Hot Fuzz van this month. I'm very excited about my recs and hope you all find something to appreciate as well.
Hot Fuzz
Police Constable Nicholas Angel: born and schooled in London, graduated Canterbury University in 1993 with a double first in Politics and Sociology. Attended Hendon College of Police Training. Displayed great aptitude in field exercises, notably Urban Pacification and Riot Control. Academically excelled in theoretical course work and final year examinations. Received a Baton of Honour, graduated with distinction into the Metropolitan Police Service and quickly established an effectiveness and popularity within the community. Proceeded to improve skill base with courses in advanced driving... and advanced cycling. He became heavily involved in a number of extra-vocational activities and to this day, he holds the Met record for the hundred metre dash. In 2001, he began active duty with the renowned SO19 Armed Response Unit and received a Bravery Award for efforts in the resolution of Operation Crackdown. In the last twelve months, he has received nine special commendations, achieved highest arrest record for any officer in the Met and sustained three injuries in the line of duty, most recently in December when wounded by a man dressed as Father Christmas.
Constable Nicholas Angel is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He's so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel's superiors promote him to Sergeant and send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing - the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police constable Danny Butterman. The son of amiable Inspector Frank Butterman, Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and the intrigue deepens when his attempts to uncover what is happening lead to an attack on him. As Nicholas and Danny's friendship deepens to a true partnership, they confront those controlling the sleepy town in an explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action-packed finale.
Why it is so good:
Hot Fuzz is a movie geek's dream. Almost every scene contains a tribute, homage, or reference to other movies, specifically buddy cop movies, but there are other references as well - The Simpsons, Masters of the Universe, and The Muppets, for example. It parodies action films, not by looking down at them, but with the humor and appreciation of true movie lovers. On top of that, it also manages to be brilliantly funny, touching, and somewhat grotesque at the same time. Co-written by Simon Pegg (as Nicholas Angel) and Director Edgar Wright, Hot Fuzz sets out to make British policing exciting, excessive paperwork and all. At the center of the film, and carrying its heart, are Pegg and Nick Frost (as Danny Butterman) as unlikely partners who find friendship and trust in the middle of a town where no one can be trusted and the local police have gone soft. But this is also an ensemble movie, with supporting players every bit as much fun to watch as the two leads.
Here are some of them:
Pegg and Frost as Angel and Butterman in the front. The rest are (l to r): Paddy Considine as DS Andy Wainwright, Rafe Spall as DC Andy Cartwright, Jim Broadbent as Inspector Frank Butterman, Kevin Eldon as Sergeant Tony Fisher, Olivia Colman as PC Doris Thatcher, Karl Johnson as PC Bob Walker. Missing from the photo are Saxon the dog and Bill Bailey, who plays the identical twin Sgts. Turner.
The Sandford Police Service have been living in the dream world created by those running the town. As all crime is covered up without their knowledge, there isn't much for them to do but eat, drink, and gossip. They are dismissive of Angel's by-the-book procedural tactics, and unwelcoming of his suspicions. But when push comes to shove, they back him up to take down the bad guys, bringing out their own hidden policing talents.
The Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (NWA) is the controlling force behind the sleepy facade of Sandford. Their determination to keep Sandford as "Village of the Year" (as per a title awarded yearly) has led to multiple murders and devious scheming. Led by Police Inspector Frank Butterman and supermarket owner Simon Skinner (played by Timothy Dalton), the NWA is responsible for murders and cover-ups going back since the suicide of Danny's mother - who killed herself when Sandford lost the Village of the Year Title due to a sudden influx of Travellers. As the "safest village in England," all crime, even petty underage drinking and shoplifting, leads to murderous cover-ups. All of Sandford's leading residents are members of the NWA, including the town doctor, Reverend, and primary school headmistress, as well as the owners of the main shop, pub, and hotel in town.
Other characters that may be mentioned or featured:
Janine (cameo by Cate Blanchett) - Nicholas's ex-girlfriend. Their relationship went sour when Nicholas devoted more time and energy to his work than to her.
Met Sergeant (played by Martin Freeman), Met Inspector (played by Steve Coogan), and Met Chief Inspector (played by Bill Nighy) - Seen at the beginning and end of the movie, the Met officers are the ones responsible for sending Angel to Sandford, and then show up to ask him to return when the arrest numbers fall.
Michael Armstrong (aka Lurch) - Skinner's trolley boy, who accomplishes most of the NWA's grunt work for them (though they all seem to enjoy partaking in the violence).
Other things that get mentioned surprisingly often [Added with the assistance of dr_tectonic]
The Peace Lily - Nicholas brings a Japanese peace lily with him from London. It's kind of his only friend at first.
The Hedgehog - lives in the police station armoury.
The Swan - Danny & Nick spend some time chasing after an escaped swan owned(?) by Mr. Peter Ian Staker.
The Cuddly Monkey - is won by Angel for Danny at the shooting gallery at the church fete.
The Horse - when Nicholas comes riding back into Sandford to save the day, he does so on a white horse. Yes, really.
Cornettos - are a kind of ice cream. Danny is very fond of them.
The peace lily, the cuddly monkey, and the swan all play minor but key roles in taking down the bad guys.
While all these other characters are fantastic and a lot of fun to write and read, the main focus of the movie is the Nicholas and Danny relationship. Like all buddy cop movies, Hot Fuzz features disparate partners who find common ground and learn to appreciate each other and work together. But Hot Fuzz takes it about a half-step further. Early in the movie, Angel is told by his ex, Janine, that "until he finds a person he cares about more than the job, he never will [learn to switch off]." By the end of his hero's journey to Sandford, Nicholas has found that in Danny. Even when his return to London is personally requested by the same officers who banished him, Nicholas opts to stay. The (almost) end of the movie shows Danny taking a bullet meant for Nicholas, cementing their devotion to each other. It is because of this that the majority of Hot Fuzz fanfiction focuses on the Nicholas/Danny relationship, either as slash or gen buddy fiction.
Other Sources:
The Official Hot Fuzz site.
The Evidence Room - Hot Fuzz fiction archive (new and still being uploaded with older stories)
sandfordpolice - the definitive Livejournal community for all things Hot Fuzz
Old Sandford Police archive - good for finding older fics that are buried on author pages.
Hot Fuzz IMDB page
Working Title Films Hot Fuzz page
gypsyjr's Hot Fuzz screen caps.
Hot Fuzz
Police Constable Nicholas Angel: born and schooled in London, graduated Canterbury University in 1993 with a double first in Politics and Sociology. Attended Hendon College of Police Training. Displayed great aptitude in field exercises, notably Urban Pacification and Riot Control. Academically excelled in theoretical course work and final year examinations. Received a Baton of Honour, graduated with distinction into the Metropolitan Police Service and quickly established an effectiveness and popularity within the community. Proceeded to improve skill base with courses in advanced driving... and advanced cycling. He became heavily involved in a number of extra-vocational activities and to this day, he holds the Met record for the hundred metre dash. In 2001, he began active duty with the renowned SO19 Armed Response Unit and received a Bravery Award for efforts in the resolution of Operation Crackdown. In the last twelve months, he has received nine special commendations, achieved highest arrest record for any officer in the Met and sustained three injuries in the line of duty, most recently in December when wounded by a man dressed as Father Christmas.
Constable Nicholas Angel is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He's so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel's superiors promote him to Sergeant and send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing - the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police constable Danny Butterman. The son of amiable Inspector Frank Butterman, Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and the intrigue deepens when his attempts to uncover what is happening lead to an attack on him. As Nicholas and Danny's friendship deepens to a true partnership, they confront those controlling the sleepy town in an explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action-packed finale.
Why it is so good:
Hot Fuzz is a movie geek's dream. Almost every scene contains a tribute, homage, or reference to other movies, specifically buddy cop movies, but there are other references as well - The Simpsons, Masters of the Universe, and The Muppets, for example. It parodies action films, not by looking down at them, but with the humor and appreciation of true movie lovers. On top of that, it also manages to be brilliantly funny, touching, and somewhat grotesque at the same time. Co-written by Simon Pegg (as Nicholas Angel) and Director Edgar Wright, Hot Fuzz sets out to make British policing exciting, excessive paperwork and all. At the center of the film, and carrying its heart, are Pegg and Nick Frost (as Danny Butterman) as unlikely partners who find friendship and trust in the middle of a town where no one can be trusted and the local police have gone soft. But this is also an ensemble movie, with supporting players every bit as much fun to watch as the two leads.
Here are some of them:
Pegg and Frost as Angel and Butterman in the front. The rest are (l to r): Paddy Considine as DS Andy Wainwright, Rafe Spall as DC Andy Cartwright, Jim Broadbent as Inspector Frank Butterman, Kevin Eldon as Sergeant Tony Fisher, Olivia Colman as PC Doris Thatcher, Karl Johnson as PC Bob Walker. Missing from the photo are Saxon the dog and Bill Bailey, who plays the identical twin Sgts. Turner.
The Sandford Police Service have been living in the dream world created by those running the town. As all crime is covered up without their knowledge, there isn't much for them to do but eat, drink, and gossip. They are dismissive of Angel's by-the-book procedural tactics, and unwelcoming of his suspicions. But when push comes to shove, they back him up to take down the bad guys, bringing out their own hidden policing talents.
The Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (NWA) is the controlling force behind the sleepy facade of Sandford. Their determination to keep Sandford as "Village of the Year" (as per a title awarded yearly) has led to multiple murders and devious scheming. Led by Police Inspector Frank Butterman and supermarket owner Simon Skinner (played by Timothy Dalton), the NWA is responsible for murders and cover-ups going back since the suicide of Danny's mother - who killed herself when Sandford lost the Village of the Year Title due to a sudden influx of Travellers. As the "safest village in England," all crime, even petty underage drinking and shoplifting, leads to murderous cover-ups. All of Sandford's leading residents are members of the NWA, including the town doctor, Reverend, and primary school headmistress, as well as the owners of the main shop, pub, and hotel in town.
Other characters that may be mentioned or featured:
Janine (cameo by Cate Blanchett) - Nicholas's ex-girlfriend. Their relationship went sour when Nicholas devoted more time and energy to his work than to her.
Met Sergeant (played by Martin Freeman), Met Inspector (played by Steve Coogan), and Met Chief Inspector (played by Bill Nighy) - Seen at the beginning and end of the movie, the Met officers are the ones responsible for sending Angel to Sandford, and then show up to ask him to return when the arrest numbers fall.
Michael Armstrong (aka Lurch) - Skinner's trolley boy, who accomplishes most of the NWA's grunt work for them (though they all seem to enjoy partaking in the violence).
Other things that get mentioned surprisingly often [Added with the assistance of dr_tectonic]
The Peace Lily - Nicholas brings a Japanese peace lily with him from London. It's kind of his only friend at first.
The Hedgehog - lives in the police station armoury.
The Swan - Danny & Nick spend some time chasing after an escaped swan owned(?) by Mr. Peter Ian Staker.
The Cuddly Monkey - is won by Angel for Danny at the shooting gallery at the church fete.
The Horse - when Nicholas comes riding back into Sandford to save the day, he does so on a white horse. Yes, really.
Cornettos - are a kind of ice cream. Danny is very fond of them.
The peace lily, the cuddly monkey, and the swan all play minor but key roles in taking down the bad guys.
While all these other characters are fantastic and a lot of fun to write and read, the main focus of the movie is the Nicholas and Danny relationship. Like all buddy cop movies, Hot Fuzz features disparate partners who find common ground and learn to appreciate each other and work together. But Hot Fuzz takes it about a half-step further. Early in the movie, Angel is told by his ex, Janine, that "until he finds a person he cares about more than the job, he never will [learn to switch off]." By the end of his hero's journey to Sandford, Nicholas has found that in Danny. Even when his return to London is personally requested by the same officers who banished him, Nicholas opts to stay. The (almost) end of the movie shows Danny taking a bullet meant for Nicholas, cementing their devotion to each other. It is because of this that the majority of Hot Fuzz fanfiction focuses on the Nicholas/Danny relationship, either as slash or gen buddy fiction.
Other Sources:
The Official Hot Fuzz site.
The Evidence Room - Hot Fuzz fiction archive (new and still being uploaded with older stories)
sandfordpolice - the definitive Livejournal community for all things Hot Fuzz
Old Sandford Police archive - good for finding older fics that are buried on author pages.
Hot Fuzz IMDB page
Working Title Films Hot Fuzz page
gypsyjr's Hot Fuzz screen caps.