A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING

6 out of 10

Released: 8th June 2012

Directors:  Crispian Mills (Slaughterhouse Rulez) & Chris Hopewell

Cast: Simon Pegg, Amara Karan, Alan Drake, Clare Higgins, Kerry Shale and Paul Freeman

Writer: Crispian Mills

Trailer: A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING

Much criticism has been aimed at actors that languish in their comfort zone. They find their limit and splash around for decades doling out the same character again and again. Two such actors that spring to mind are Hugh Grant and Simon Pegg.  Whereas Hugh Grant has publicly admitted that he doesn’t feel the necessity to act and is basically dragged kicking and screaming to the set, Simon Pegg is the opposite.  Everytime he has pushed at his limits he shows visible discomfort. For instance, roles in high profile blockbusters like Mission Impossible 4 and Star Trek (2010) have been cringeworthy to watch. So in conclusion, I welcome him playing within his comfort zone.  His procession of losers in small British fare and the American Paul are examples of Simon Pegg enjoying himself, not in awe of mega co-stars and special effects. He’s home.

That lengthy intro brings us to his latest movie which may find some love on DVD.  It was utterly ignored on its cinema release which I’d say is a shame.  This is is because Simon Pegg puts in his best performance to date.  He virtually carries the first half of the movie which sees Hackney based author hermit under siege from his over fertile imagination. Writing a tome on grisly Victorian serial killers, everytime the wind blows or a floor board creaks he is diving for cover or grabbing the nearest knife.  Turns out a meeting with an American agent will prove that sometimes excessive paranoia doesn’t mean you’re wrong.

Much of the comedy is physical and for the first half the set is inventive and funny. Only in the last stretch does the film overstay its welcome with a very moronic turn of events that include one of cinema’s most annoying villains.  Elsewhere, the sets are reminiscent of old British TV staples; Rising Damp and The Young Ones and whilst being very obviously a film set, they prove very effective, an unusually long and creepy corridor proving to be the scariest element of all.  An inventive soundtrack that echoes Cape Fear (1992) paints proceedings all the more gothic, alongside the inclusion of Ice Cube and Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band’s In Gadda Di Vida.

In short this film contains Simon Pegg’s best ever performance (he should avoid Hollywood), proving he’s an excellent physical performer as well as having a great comedic and dramatic range. It starts off very well but suffers from the need to include the outside world and populate it with a gallery of equally off-the-wall nut-jobs.  This is a very good example of pushing the creative envelope by daring to be different but it misses the target by losing its way half way through. A great shame but there are still nuggets of fun to be had along the way.  Look out for Crispian Mills (son of Haley, Grandson of John, ex-lead of Kula Shaker) because he has enough originality to perhaps be our own Spike Jonze.

5/10 – Enough to enjoy if you like Simon Pegg. First half is a wonderful showcase for his skills and he also proves that he’s a great physical comedian as well.  Mostly original but suffers by comparison to Bunny & The Bull by the Mighty Boosh Posse.  I’d be very interested to see what’s next on the home front for Simon Pegg (Not Star Trek!!!) and his director.

WHAT HAVE I SEEN THAT PERSON IN BEFORE?

• Simon Pegg: The Dark Crystal (voice)(TV), The Boys (TV), Slaughterhouse Rulez, Mission Impossible 6 – Fall Out, Terminal, Ready Player One, Star Trek 3 – Beyond, Ice Age 5 – Collision Course (voice), Star Wars – The Force Awakens (mo-cap), Absolutely Anything, Mission Impossible 5 – Rogue Nation, Kill Me Three Times, Man Up, The Boxtrolls (voice), Hector and the Search For Happiness, The World’s End, Star Trek 2 – Into Darkness (2013), Ice Age 4 – Continental Drift (voice), Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol, Burke & Hare, Paul, Ice Age 3 – Dawn of the Dinosaurs (voice), Star Trek (2010), How To Lose Friends & Alienate People, The Good Night, Mission Impossible 3, Run Fat Boy Run, Hot Fuzz, Shaun Of The Dead, Guest House Paradiso, Spaced (TV)
• Amara Karan: Lucky Man (TV), The Night of… (TV), Ambassadors (TV), Jadoo, All In Good Time,  The Task, The Darjeeling Limited, St Trinians
• Clare Higgins: The Worst Witch (TV), Heretiks, Ready Player One, Doctor Who (TV), Eastenders (TV), Holby City (TV), I Give It a Year, Small Faces, Bad Behaviour, Hellraiser 2 – Hellbound, Hellraiser, The Fruit Machine
• Kerry Shale: Angel Has Fallen, Thomas The Tank Engine (TV)(voice), Show Dogs (voice), Final Portrait, Hello Carter, Blood Moon, Narcopolis, Moonwalkers, The Trip (TV), Universal Soldier 3 – Regeneration, Little Shop Of Horrors
• Paul Freeman: The Gatehouse, Of Gods and Warriors, A Very English Scandal (TV), Da Vinci’s Demons (TV), Getaway, Death (2014), Centurion, Hard Boiled Sweets, Hot Fuzz, Powers Rangers – The Movie, Just Like a Woman, Indiana Jones and The Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The Long Good Friday