Run, Fat Boy, Run stars Simon Pegg whose previously leading roles came in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, both great movies. But not only did Pegg star in those movies, he also co-wrote them with director, Edgar Wright. Considering previous awesomeness, Run, Fat Boy, Run should be a great movie as Pegg stars in and co-wrote the picture. Too bad the director this time is David Schwimmer (Ross? Really?) and Pegg’s writing partner was Michael Ian Black. Judging from this result, apparently Edgar Wright’s role in the previous movies was winnowing down the number of stereotypical and annoying sidekicks.
It’s not all bad. Run, Fat Boy, Run is generally funny as follows Pegg’s Dennis’ attempts to get his life on track after running out on his preggers fiancé, Libby, (Thandi Newtown) on their wedding day. He works as a security guard at a lingerie store, constantly locks himself out of his apartment and deals with his rotund landlord, a man who’s very unhappy that Dennis can never seem to pay his rent. The only bright spot in Dennis’ life is his son, Jake…that is until Libby starts dating Whit, played by a seriously buff Hank Azaria.
Whit turns out to be charming, rich and magnanimous too, as he runs marathons for charity. So, Dennis does the obvious thing and…starts running marathons? Couldn’t he have just decided to get hot and rich instead? It seems less painful. But this raises a confusing point for me: Hank Azaria was really hot in this movie. Like, really hot. Disconcertingly so. Doesn’t he know he’s a cartoon character voice? He’s Chief Wiggum/ Apu/ Sea Captain! None of those people are hot. Hank Azaria is, apparently. And it was disturbing.
Anyway, as the movie turns to Dennis’ training, it starts to drag. There are only so many times it’s funny to watch a fat guy on a scooter swat Pegg’s pasty
legs with a spatula. Sounds funny? Right, it is -- just that once. But, Dennis trains, Whit turns out to be a jerk, and things end well, but not too treacley, I suppose. There are just too many background characters and not enough Nick Frost, who’s really the only sidekick Simon Pegg will ever need in my book. In the end, not a great movie, but, hey, much better than I expected from this guy -->
It’s not all bad. Run, Fat Boy, Run is generally funny as follows Pegg’s Dennis’ attempts to get his life on track after running out on his preggers fiancé, Libby, (Thandi Newtown) on their wedding day. He works as a security guard at a lingerie store, constantly locks himself out of his apartment and deals with his rotund landlord, a man who’s very unhappy that Dennis can never seem to pay his rent. The only bright spot in Dennis’ life is his son, Jake…that is until Libby starts dating Whit, played by a seriously buff Hank Azaria.
Whit turns out to be charming, rich and magnanimous too, as he runs marathons for charity. So, Dennis does the obvious thing and…starts running marathons? Couldn’t he have just decided to get hot and rich instead? It seems less painful. But this raises a confusing point for me: Hank Azaria was really hot in this movie. Like, really hot. Disconcertingly so. Doesn’t he know he’s a cartoon character voice? He’s Chief Wiggum/ Apu/ Sea Captain! None of those people are hot. Hank Azaria is, apparently. And it was disturbing.Anyway, as the movie turns to Dennis’ training, it starts to drag. There are only so many times it’s funny to watch a fat guy on a scooter swat Pegg’s pasty
legs with a spatula. Sounds funny? Right, it is -- just that once. But, Dennis trains, Whit turns out to be a jerk, and things end well, but not too treacley, I suppose. There are just too many background characters and not enough Nick Frost, who’s really the only sidekick Simon Pegg will ever need in my book. In the end, not a great movie, but, hey, much better than I expected from this guy -->
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