HOT FUZZ – Opening Sequence

Christopher Cowell – AS Media Studies

• Universal Studios• Silhouette Figure• Office• Professional• Protagonist?

In this image, our attention is drawn to the silhouetted figure walking toward the camera because there seems to be a pool of light around them. We can hear the footsteps of this character but there is no dialogue and no soundtrack as this shot is shown which leaves us asking questions as to the identity of the character. Is he/she the protagonist? Universal Studios has been imposed over the top of the shot which tells us that this is a high budget film and will generally contain well known actors and actresses and is therefore expected to be of a high standard. Although we cannot say for certain, the figure looks to be dressed professionally and the setting seems to be of an office of sorts which suggests that the film is possibly of a generally professional genre.

In this still, we are presented with a close-up of who we later learn is the Protagonist, played by Simon Pegg. We can immediately tell that he is a professional person simply by his uniform, as he is wearing a tie with the top button of his shirt fastened which suggests further that he is professional and takes a lot of pride in his dress and appearance. This also suggests to us that he is a man of power and influence. There is no diegetic speech throughout the whole of the opening scene, however there is a soundtrack and a voice-over by Simon Pegg, which helps to narrate the story and enhance our understanding of what is happening. He has a stern and powerful expression on his face during this still, suggesting that he is influential and powerful as a person. However, light has been used to effect here to create both a light and dark section of his face which could suggest a dual personality.

• Stern expression• Light/Dark• No Speech• Soundtrack• Voice Over• Uniform• Protagonist

• Police Officer• Constable• Badge• Shiny• Formal• Stern expression

This image tells us immediately that the character is a police officer, due to the badge and photo ID card. We can see in the photo that the stern expression remains from the last image, possibly suggesting that he is always powerful and that maybe he doesn’t have a lighter side. We can also see that he has gained the rank of Constable, which again aids our understanding of the character and shows us his true power as this is a fairly high rank. The fact that we are given this much information about the character right from the start of the film suggests that he is indeed the protagonist.

• Confidence• Examination• Completion• Ease

We are told by the voice over that the protagonist has undertaken an examination and his facial expression in this image suggests that he found it easy whilst the other officers in the background seem to be struggling, this sets the protagonist aside from a “normal” officer and makes him seem more important and therefore allows him to be viewed in a better light than the other police officers. The sound of the pen clicking has also been dubbed in over the top of the shot afterwards which adds emphasis to his confidence and satisfaction.

• Proud• Professional• Honour• Uniform• Baton

We are informed, again by the voice over, that the protagonist has received the baton of honour for the highest number of arrests ever recorderd by one officer. This is a huge achievement and we can now appreciate truly how good of an officer he is and we accordingly adjust our view of him even further so that we feel like he is a role model to us. His facial expression has changed in this still as he ow seems to have a faint, smug smile suggesting that he is proud of his achievements and may have a brighter side after all. His uniform and his gloves in particular also add to his professionalism and aid in our understanding of his character and his brilliance as a professional. Compared with the other officers around him, he seems to look a great deal smarter and it can even be said that he is the best looking out of all of them. This may have been done on purpose to give the illusion of him being perfect.

• Gun• Anger• Agression• Riot helmet• Raid• Stab vest• Leader

In this image, the protagonist is seen aiming a gun at a drug dealer whilst on what we is told is a raid with the SO19 armed response unit. This information is given to us, once again, by the voice over of Simon Pegg. His facial expression has changed from the previous images to be much more angry and aggressive, possibly to intimidate the drug dealers. This gives us the impression of his strength and “manliness” that is associated with a male protagonistic character. He is seen to be wearing a riot helmet and stab vest which emphasizes the seriousness of his situation and makes him seem braver as he has entered such a situation. We can also see that there are no officers in front of him, they are all behind him. This emphasizes his skills as a leader and again makes him seem braver and more courageous as he is putting his life at risk. This is very stereotypical of a male “hero” type character.

• Knife• Father Christmas• Pain• Weakness• Screaming

This image shows a whole different view of the protagonist as he is in a situation of weakness and is obviously in pain as he is yelling. This is quite subversive to the general stereotype of a male police officer who we would often associate more with the earlier images of being professional and powerful. In this image he seems helpless and powerless to his aggressor, which would certainly be embarrassing considering his rank and status within the police service. The knife is quite a sinister weapon and the look on the attackers face is one of pure intent and hatred which adds further to the sinister nature of the image. On the other hand, the fact that the attacker is dressed as father Christmas helps to lighten the mood and makes the protagonist’s injury even more embarrassing as it is so comical.