Hot Fizzle? An unfair review of a perfectly fine movie

Cinematic success seems like a real pisser. This is not the thought of a jealous critic who will never be as famous as the subjects that he mercilously judges. It is the thought I had while watching Hot Fuzz, the new comedy from writer-director Edgar Wright and writer-star Simon Pegg.
The movie is an off beat British take to American kaboom-style action flicks. It is the perfect balance of satire and homage; the glory and idiocy of the genre are given equal time. While the film is full of memorable supporting performances (particularly by Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall as detectives both named Andy) its cornerstone is the relationship between Pegg (as the expeditious Sargent Nicholas Angel) and long time collaborator Nick Frost (as Danny Butterman, his protégé with a penchant for bafoonery). These two actors have an amazing connection that is hilarious, adorable, and believable all at the same time.
All of these elements would make for a joyous time at the movies if it were not for something called Shaun of the Dead. The 2004 film, which is one of the best comedies of the last decade, was Wright and Pegg’s satire/homage of splatter-style zombie flicks. I found it impossible not to spend the whole movie comparing and contrasting the two. I couldn’t help but come to the conclusion that Hot Fuzz is a flatter version of Shaun of the Dead.
It is this thought that fills me with empathy for these filmmakers. In my mind, the quality of Hot Fuzz is diminished by the excellence of Shaun of the Dead. And this is the pisser. Success causes fans of your film to become the harshest critics of everything you do henceforth (perusal of any fan site on the internet will attest to this fact). We criticize Hot Fuzz because it is a slightly sub par Shaun of the Dead. Yet, had the follow up film been a huge departure, we’d probably be bemoaning that as well. It is a pickle.
I will close with a more appropriate comparison to put the film in perspective. Hot Fuzz is much funnier, more original and satisfying than the myriad of movie genre satires that have been released in recent years. It is my hope that you will go to this movie and enjoy it like a sensible person and enjoy it for what it is, not focus on what it isn't.