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The first shot we see is
the logo of Universal
Studios, a prestigious
production company. This
instantly associates the
film with a high
expectation and credibility,
given to it by the good
reputation of Universal.
This scene has slower
camera shots which suggest
more realism than other
parts of the film. This is
important for constructing
the dejection of the
character which remains
continuous throughout the
film. Humour is juxtaposed
with the sad atmosphere
created by the content of
the scene.
Also, another notable
feature of these early
scenes is the casting of the
characters; ones in the city
are cast with more famous
actors (Nighy, Blanchett,
etc) whereas the ones in
the countryside are more
anonymous, which reflects
the stereotypes of the
contrast between city and
countryside; the
countryside is more
unknown than the cities.
This is a panning zoom shot
of the main character - this
is his first appearance and
therefore introduces him in
a way that grabs the
audienceƞs attention. The
location and costume of the
character also set up the
role of the main character
and the central theme of
the film (UK police, which
would appeal to a British
audience because it can be
easily identified with). Also,
the actor playing the main
character is shown; Simon
Pegg has a good reputation
from other films such as
Shaun of the Dead.
Pacey shots with no
dialogue are again used to
condense the information
given, in a more physical
way. It helps to summarise
the characterƞs journey
(with shots such as ones on
buses, trains and taxiƞs, as
well as the gradually
diminishing phone signal).
The gloomy editing also
adds emotion to the
journey, and reflects the
characters mood - his body
language is again dejected
and he experiences bad
luck, such as missing the
train, which is relatable and
identifiable with the British
audience.
The next section is an
assortment of fast-paced
shots which give a
summary of the
characterƞs lifestyle, thus
giving us instant
familiarisation with the
character. The way the
shots are put together
also condenses the
information given into a
short yet manageable
time span. The important
of this is so by the next
scene, the audience has
an idea of what to expect
of the main characterƞs
personality before even
hearing him speak.
Another over-shoulder
shots conversation is
presented, in order to show
more emotion in the
characters. There is some
genre intertextuality used
as well - many horror films
are set in hotels, and in
Hot Fuzz they use this for a
humorous effect (ie, Ɲcheck
in? But youƞve always been
here...ƞ). This reinforces a
stereotype used by the film
of country B&B owners
being quirky and strange.
In this over-shoulder shot
conversation, the
personality of the main
character is revealed (he is
serious, down to earth and
proud). This scene features
cameoƞs from a popular
British cast (Martin
Freeman, Steve Coogan
and Bill Nighy) which would
be appealing to a UK
audience. Stereotypes are
raised such as unfair,
irrational bosses who are
overruling, which would
again appeal to Britons; this
is done by sarcastic humour
and effective repetition (ie,
Ɲhowƞs the hand?ƞ).
Again, a stereotype is raised;
this time it is Ɲhoodie cultureƞ,
a contemporary issue in the
UK, which would make it
identifiable to the British
audience. It also appeals to
them because in a comedy
film like Hot Fuzz, it is likely
that the film is making light of
issues such as this one, so we
can laugh at them.
However, the spooky sound
effects and darkness,
combined with the
presentation of the hoodies
(faceless and anti-social)
foreshadows the possibly
more sinister goings-on in the
village.