Media AS Phoebe GibsonMr Drummond

Hot Fuzz opening analysis

At the beginning of the movie, before any on screen action has happened, the non-diegetic sound of whistles and various different sirens. This represents the evolution of the police force and immediately suggests the police force to be key theme in this movie. It also communicates a sense of urgency possibly foreshadowing the event to come later in the film. The first shot is a long shot of the protagonist, Nicholas Angel, walking towards the camera with a purposeful pace. This give the audience an instant idea that this character is confident in everything he does. He is placed in the centre of the screen suggesting he has a great importance. As Simon Pegg approaches the camera the close up of his face then the identical expression on the ID card creates comic effect as it communicates that this character is always the same and rarely shows any alternative emotion and suggests he is very serious about his job.

The long silence, besides Angel’s footsteps as he walks towards the camera, is broken by a voice over of his voice introducing himself followed by the song ‘Goody Two Shoes’ by Adam Ant. I believe that this song is effective as it communicates the ideas that Angel is a ‘Goody Two Shoes’ when it come to law. Also the fast pace rhythm of the song matches the speed of the action to follow contributing to the energy of the scenes.

It then cuts to many shots using a very fast wipe. This contributes the energetic speed of the scenes. It changes from a close up of his feet to a low angle of Angel walking purposely towards the camera. The speed of the feet suggests a sense of purposefulness. The low angle shot looking up on the protagonist creates an image of authority and these traits communicate and idea that he is an important man and powerful individual. This is followed by a number of shots of his side profile walking that change rapidly from medium shot, showing his up right posture in a police uniform, to an extreme close up of the shoulder badge emphasising the key role of a police officer to the audience. Then a close up of the side of his face showing how the expression has still not changed emphasising the seriousness of this character. Then further showing this by a final extreme close up of his side profile.

The colours on screen are mainly deep blues blacks and greys that can be associated as formal colours suggesting this character is/works in an extremely professional place. The blue is also significant in the following shots of the punch bags, the power point and the fencing match. The blue could have been used to represent the police force, as this is a vital theme throughout the movie. Having it threaded in so much in the intro sets an image for the audience.

In the next few shots of Angel in training, such as the group of trainee police officers (“attended Hendon Collage…”), completing the exam, and receiving the baton of honour. Pegg is placed in the centre drawing the audiences’ attention on him and clearly reflecting his significance. These shot jump from one to the other using more rapid wipes. This communicates the jumping forward in time creating the impression of following him through the key moments of his training of becoming a police officer. Pegg still holds the same expressionless facial expression throughout communicating that over this change in time, his

Media AS Phoebe GibsonMr Drummond

character and attitude hasn’t changed and he is still just as serious and professional.

This is followed by a dolly shot following Angel’s fast paced movement up a flight of stairs. This may communicate the idea that this character is rapidly moving higher and higher in positions in the police department; reflecting his journey through the job.

Humour is achieved in many parts of this intro however especially in the car/bike shots. The extremely short takes create a sense of speed enhancing an idea of danger that almost suggests that Angel wants you to see. This is communicated in the close up of his sharp intense look at the camera. The following bike shot that reflects similar movements of the car skid contributes to the humour as the intense skid and even the close up of his sharp look at the camera is repeated yet wearing a helmet and cycling glasses are added. This is successful as the similar shots and the same intense facial expression being repeated suggests that both activities are just as mad and dangerous as each other and implies that Angel wants the audience to be impressed.

The long dolly shot following Angel into an elevator changes with a wipe that give the impression that he is walking into another scene. The contrast in scene from a purposeful walk in an officer’s uniform to fast pace running wearing an armed response uniform communicates the idea that Angel has had many different experiences in his profession suggesting he is very experienced. The wipe creating the illusion of walking from one scene to another illustrates a passing of time and indicates the idea that he regularly movies from job to job with ease impaling he is very good at what he does.

Throughout the whole of the opening of the movie, the voice over of Angel continues to list all his accomplishments and his journey from training to becoming a well-respected officer. This on going list of achievements and the way they are delivered sound similar to what you would read from a resume. This contributes to the theme of professionalism and the work place suggesting that all the protagonist thinks about is his job; setting up an idea of the character for the audience.