Run, Fat Boy, Run [DVD]

Great film for kicking back and just laughing!

This film had been sitting in my 'to watch' DVD pile for a while. After viewing the dire 'Four Christmases' (see separate review) a few nights previously, I was dubious about sitting through another 'comedy', but with nothing else to do at 1am on New Years Day (!), I decided to stick it on. To my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be much better than I initially expected.The basic premise is that Pegg is a well-meaning loser, who five years previously (literally) ran away from his wedding to his pregnant fiancé (Thandie Newton). Now, she's hooked up with oh-too-perfect Hank Azaria. Learning that Azaria is to run an upcoming marathon, Pegg insists that he too will run the marathon, in a bid to woo Newton back.This film seems to have had a lot of criticisms in that it is not like Pegg's previous modern classic, 'Shaun of the Dead', and its (underrated) follow-up 'Hot Fuzz', which in turn were natural successors to TV's wonderful 'Spaced'. Well, I won't pretend for a moment that 'Fat Boy...' is anywhere on the same level of those wonderful, reference-laden offerings. BUT - it doesn't pretend to be. This is a totally different kind of story, a slightly gentler, character-based tale. Besides, wouldn't it be boring if Pegg did exactly the same kind of film all the time?!The cast generally do well. I couldn't really warm to Newton's character, but there was enough else going on for this not to matter too much. Azaria (in case you can't place him, amongst various film roles, he does a lot of 'Simpsons' voices) isn't really in one of his best roles, but gets the job done. Although I liked 'Black Books', I've never really been a fan of Dylan Moran (who appeared with Pegg in 'Shaun of the Dead'), I generally find him too shouty; but here I actually found him quite amusing, and would say this is one of his better roles. But the highlight of the main cast, for me, is Harish Patel, as Pegg's landlord-come-trainer. Patel is great fun, and lights up every scene he appears in.The direction is handled ably by David Schwimmer (who Pegg starred alongside in 2006's 'Big Nothing', which I would recommend if you like your comedy very black and with a lot twists). Only at a few points in the middle do things start to sag slightly, but thankfully they soon pick themselves up again. About fifty minutes in, the story does turn into more of a comedy-drama (which is why some may be against this film), but things still proceed along nicely. There are few real surprises in the plot, but even so, I did find the climatic scenes pleasing.There are also a number of cameos to look out for, including David Walliams (as a very similar character to his Mr. Mann persona in 'Little Britain'), and Ricky Gervais' associate Stephen Merchant, to name but two. But an unexpected highlight for me was to spot children's TV legend Floella Benjamin as Newton's mother. She only has a couple of lines and appears only briefly, but I wish they had utilised her more!The comedy is generally more straightforward than say, 'Shaun...', but there are still some good moments. However, I did feel that it couldn't always decide on the type of comedy it was going for - prime example being Moran piercing a truly massive blister on Pegg'' foot, causing it to squirt everywhere (leading to several off-colour remarks). Fairly amusing, but I found this sort of humour to be out of kilter with the film's general tone.Although not a solid classic - maybe it would have fared better as a TV movie - I still really enjoyed this film, and give it a decent four stars. Pegg and Nick Frost are returning in the forthcoming 'The World's End' - but in the meantime, don't limit yourself, give some of Pegg's different kinds of comedy, such as this, a try.

its ok fun wise not as good as his other comedies though

Run Fatboy Run is a funny movie, but it's predictable. It's a low brow romantic comedy that has two of the funniest comics working in showbiz today. While Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, and Hot Fuzz are riddled with intuitive humor and cultural gags, Run Fatboy Run hits the low road with slapstick humor. That's not a bad thing - not always anyway.Simon Pegg plays a man who we see leave his bride to be at the altar - pregnant. Years later, the out of shape Pegg is working as a security guard, sharing visits of his son with his ex, played by Thandie Newton. Pegg finds that his ex is seeing Hank Azaria, a high achieving American who runs marathons. To prove he can rise to the challenge, Pegg tries out for the marathon.Run Fatboy Run is a fairly formulaic comedy yarn. Most of the comedy in the film comes from interactiong between Pegg and Dylan Moran, who plays Pegg's down and out friend. Moran tries to prep Pegg for the marathon. There is often a lot of physical slapstick humor, such as the now infamous blister gag. It's not as sharp witted as were used to seeing from Pegg. The reason it often works is because of the comedic timing of the two talented comedians' delivery.Not to be outdone is Hank Azaria, of Simpsons fame. He has fun with his role, especially as he starts to drill into Pegg's character, trying to disgrace him. He's fun to watch, especially as he gets a little physical with Pegg.The highlight of the film maybe the marathon itself. Having endured Pegg's trials throughout the film, you can't help but root him on. This is the core of the film, even if it some of it seems predictable. I felt somewhat unfulfilled at the end, maybe because of my expectations for Pegg. Take it for what it is, though. It's fun and cute. The characters aren't nearly as interesting as they could be and the humor's on the low side, but Run Fatboy Run is definitely worth at least one watch, but don't expect the returns you get from Hot Fuzz or Shaun of the Dead.

REVIEWA good rom-com, Simon Pegg is funny as usual, Dylan Moran plays his usual role as a drunk (which he always plays brilliant) and Hank Azaria plays a great loathsome man. People on their reviews seem to compare the film to Simon Pegg and Nick Frosts Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the dead saying run fat boy run isn't as good (which is true don't get me wrong) but run fat boy run was not written or directed by the same writers. Run fat boy run is directed by David Schwimmer (Ross from Friends) who worked with Pegg on a film called 'the big nothing'.QUICK STORY RUNDOWNSimon Pegg plays a guy called Dennis who left his pregnant fiancee Libby (Thandie Newton) at the alter... 5 years later she his hooked up with a rich and powerful man (Hank Azaria) who asks Libby to marry him. Dennis wants another chance with Libby but she believes he his a quitter, so he decides to run against her new fiancee in a marathon to prove he is not. Dennis gets his best friend (Dylan Moran), a gambling drunk to train him for the marathon.

Fun loving film especially if you like comedy & into running. Watched this when I was in Berlin before the marathon & again before the LM virtual last year.It’s a little dated now & not quite as good as I remember but it’s still a fun watch. If you haven’t seen it I recommend it.

Family entertainment

I purchased this as a Father's Day present, as the recipient in question is a fan of Simon Pegg films. Sadly the feedback was not great, the film is not especially funny and hasn't been watched again, despite the good price for a Blu Ray. If you are a fan of Simon Pegg, I would not recommend adding this one to your watchlist, and perhaps go with his later films instead, as this one lacks the same level of humour which is more established in films such as Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead.If you found this review useful, please mark it as helpful.