"Marvel will one day rue the day..."
Simon: "Uhh...I thought you said you were already over that."
"One day..."
5. The World's End (4)
Ahh the finale to the unofficial-official "Cornetto trilogy." I will concede that Simon Pegg gives his best performance to date as a guy who just can't let go of the past, and some of his best acted scenes are found in the third act of the film. He definitely kept me more invested in the film than I otherwise would've, and I'd probably be less positive on the film if it weren't for him.
That said, I've always found this film to be more "just good" rather than great from the previous films in the trilogy. It's not nearly as funny, and sometimes it doesn't decide if it wants to be a parody of sci-fi invasion films, or just a funny version of those. There's enough in the film for me to still technically like it, but in the end, this is a one-and-done for me compared to the previous two films.
4. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
I would like to start off by saying that I do technically like this film. Many of the films' technical aspects are memorable to be sure (the costumes, the soundtrack) and the film has a solid supporting cast filled with actors who would later go on to have bigger careers (Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza, Mary Elizabeth Winstead). There's a lot of fun to be had in the action scenes, and Wright does succeed in replicating the feel and energy of the graphic novel.
However, one key aspect where the film falters falls on the shoulders of Michael Cera. Although he's not exactly terrible, he doesn't give the likeable performance that the film needed in order for the audience to root for him to defeat the evil exes, as he comes off as annoying and boring. In fact, I sometimes wanted them to win. The film is fun for sure, but its' lead performer prevents it from reaching greater heights.
3. Baby Driver
Drive by way of Edgar Wright. The film does deliver on creating good action scenes, such as the opening getaway, the Austin Power heist, and the escape from Atlanta sequence. Unlike Scott Pilgrim, this does have a likeable lead delivered by Ansel Elgort (although he's a hardly better actor than Cera). Again, most of the cast is very good in filling out the ensemble of criminals (Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal) as well as Lily James as the charming love interest of the title role. Edgar Wright also grants a unique style to the story, as the editing and the film itself is very coordinated to a varied selection of songs. This helps in adding a special touch to the film that makes it stand out than it otherwise would've with a workmanlike director.
With all that in mind, one thing that prevents the film from reaching greater heights is the script. It's one that I wouldn't technically consider bad, yet I'd consider it more as "going through the motions". Many of the characters are written as simply as possible, such as the head criminal portrayed by a current persona non grata, and the aforementioned love interest. The criminals themselves are archetypal as it gets, which can work from time to time, yet here, they are rather standard. All the actions their characters (and others) are there just to get the plot moving, and they aren't well-developed. The film still works to a degree thanks to Wrights' direction, yet it can't advance past a certain point due to his writing.
2. Shaun of the Dead (4.5)
Edgar Wrights' first theatrically released film, and it is quite a good one. The film itself is very effective in using tropes usually found in zombie films, and Wright makes sure to find his own voice in his take on the genre. I find many of the jokes to be funny, and Wright also delivers on creating a surprisingly emotional story where it is properly anchored by Simon Pegg.
Pegg delivers a great performance as the titular Shaun, and the films' emotional heft depends a lot on him, as his character could've come off as unlikeable as written if it had been played by a lesser actor. Past that, Frost (who I haven't mentioned until now, surprisingly) is very funny as Peggs' dimwitted friend Ed.
Wright creates many memorable sequences in the film, such as the scene where Shaun first walks out in London completely oblivious to the fact at the zombie apocalypse that has occurred. The following action scenes are all memorable in granting a proper balance of kinetic horror, while also allowing several gags to exist in the same film, both thanks to Wright. I've even come to appreciate the climactic scene in the bar, as I did think it came off a bit too serious on my first viewing, but nevertheless, it is a strong debut.
1. Hot Fuzz (5)
One of the greatest parodies of all-time in any film genre, while also being a great entry into that genre itself. Hot Fuzz of course follows Nick Angel, a high-achieving officer in London who gets sent to a small village in rural England due to jealousy amongst his cohorts.
I'll begin by stating that Simon Pegg is once again terrific (and even kind of surprising) as an action hero, since one glance at the guy wouldn't suggest that he'd be one, but I digress. He is great in delivering a certain intensity for a determined, disciplined officer, yet is careful enough to not make him into a stick-in-the-mud as to not make his character seem off-putting. He is the audience surrogate the film needs to follow as we see that Sandford (the small village) isn't all that seems.
Past Pegg, the film has one of the greatest comedy ensembles recorded on celluloid. You have:
- Nick Frost as the loveable goofball sidekick
- Jim Broadbent as the proper, yet more-than-he-seems Inspector
- Future Oscar winner Olivia Colman as the only female police officer in the village
- Edward Woodward as the head of the Neighborhood Watch Alliance, as a shoutout of sorts to his role in The Wicker Man (which is kind of similar to this film once you break it down)
- Bill Nighy, Steve Coogan, and Martin Freeman as London officers who send Angel on his way
- And last but not least...Timothy Dalton in a glorious turn as one of the most obvious villains who have ever existed on film, and with a smile so hateable, you easily want to see him get his comeuppance...but boy is he fun to watch.
Anyways, the film is very funny in several ways. One is how utilizes the films its referencing, such as Point Break (shooting the gun in the air). In another film, it may have come off as a gratuitous reference, yet here, it actually earns it, as it is part of the climax of the film, as well as an important plot point. Another way that the film is very funny is the action scenes themselves; they embrace the ridiculousness that can be found in action films from time to time, yet they are very well-made on their own. Not to mention that the film actually does have a compelling plot that takes it past a standard police procedural.
Lastly, the film is immensely quotable:
"The greater good..."
"He murdered Shakespeare."
"You ever shot your gun in the air and yelled AAAHHHHHH?"
What is your favorite Edgar Wright film? Your least favorite? Answer off in the comments below.
