![]() It’s also worth noting that the film’s grain field is generally unobtrusive, but occasionally spikes for no apparent reason. Unfortunately, minor crushing, problematic delineation, and some unnatural, oversaturated skintones keep ‘Run Fatboy Run’ from making a bigger impact. On that note, I also didn’t detect any troublesome artifacting, edge enhancement, or DNR. There are a few bouts of softness here and there, but it seems to be inherent to the print rather than a problem with the transfer itself. For the most part, textures are crisp, edges are sharp, and the lines in Pegg’s anxious face have been meticulously rendered. Colors may be painfully oversaturated at times, but primaries are vibrant, blacks are deep, and whites are quite comfortable (especially considering how hot they sometimes get). I’m sure there’s an audience out there for harmless comedies like ‘Run Fatboy Run’… I’m just not a part of it.īleached palette and overblown contrast aside, ‘Run Fatboy Run’ arrives on Blu-ray with a consistent 1080p/VC-1 transfer that only suffers from a few, unsightly issues. Sadly, I couldn’t push memories of ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz’ out of my head long enough to endure Pegg’s trek through such an ordinary, run-of-the-mill film. That just doesn’t happen here.Īs it stands, casual comedy fans who come to ‘Run Fatboy Run’ expecting little more than a cheery British farce will probably find something to enjoy. ![]() Comedy, at its very essence, makes us laugh because we’re both surprised and thrilled by something unexpected. Yes, yes… I know the film is a PG-13 romp where bodily fluids are the most dangerous thing anyone can possibly encounter, but I stopped wondering what was around the next corner within the first fifteen minutes of the film. ![]() The biggest problem is their punchlines and playouts are all too safe. Considering ‘Run Fatboy Run’ was penned by Pegg and the extraordinarily droll Michael Ian Black (member of MTV’s short-lived sketch opus, “The State,” and co-creator of the shamefully overlooked and prematurely-canceled Comedy Central series, “Stella”), I expected a lot more than a by-the-numbers rom-com that any pair of Hollywood hacks could have cranked out in a weekend. In fact, the entire film, from its jokes to its conventional plot, should feel extremely familiar to anyone who’s watched a romantic comedy in the last eight years. Unfortunately, the writing is terribly hit-or-miss, the comedy is far too dependent on sight gags and worst-day-ever contrivances, and the object of Pegg’s affection - Newton, bringing anything but her A-game - is a bland and underdeveloped catalyst for change. First-time film director David Schwimmer even brings a sure-handed confidence to the production and makes decisions that benefit the story. I had a few chuckles at the expense of some well-written situational comedy, enjoyed watching Pegg and Azaria go scowling head to scowling head, and still managed to maintain a small smile when the script veered off course into cliché-ridden waters. there’s just nothing particularly special about it either. Honestly, there’s nothing particularly wrong with ‘Run Fatboy Run’. Goshdashtidar (Harish Patel), Dennis begins training to compete against Whit, overcome his own anxieties, and finally learn to commit. With the help of his friends Gordon (Dylan Moran) and Mr. As it turns out, Dennis is still in love with Libby and concocts a mind-numbingly juvenile plan to win her back: running in the Nike River Run to prove he can finish what he starts. Five years later, Dennis is out of shape and working as a security guard, Libby is still in touch, but has started dating a successful American businessman named Whit (Hank Azaria), and their young son, Jake (Matthew Fenton), is steadily traversing the boundaries of his parents’ awkward relationship. Alas, Pegg’s appearance in an underwhelming comedy like ‘Run Fatboy Run’ has left me wondering if the actor should be quite so eager to venture off on his own.ĭennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) was about to marry his pregnant fiancé Libby (Thandie Newton) when a case of cold feet sent him dashing for the door. But as it is with most creative partnerships, the two men had separate careers to think of and, like Damon and Affleck, decided to follow their own paths. As far as I’m concerned, British wonder-duo Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are responsible for two of the sharpest comedies of the last decade: the wickedly funny ‘ Shaun of the Dead’ and the blazingly hilarious ‘ Hot Fuzz.’ In both films, Wright’s witty writing and deliberate direction crafted the perfect framework for Pegg to unleash his quick timing and charming everyman schtick.
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