Run, Formula Filmmaking, Run

Have just come back from a mid-afternoon screening of Run, Fatboy, Run ... which could also be called Watch Americans Make Simon Pegg Unfunny. But that doesn't have the same ring to it, eh?

I think in the future, Simon should bag Mr. Schwimmer (who seemingly really tried to be all Richard Curtis) and stick with Edgar Wright. I'm sure the money's better with the stateside financing, but a fatter budget seems to have rounded the edges of off dark humor. I was hoping that Michael Ian Black would have co-penned a funnier script, but this one didn't work out so well.

And what was with David Walliams' semi-cameo? A tired spin on one of his Little Britain characters. So. Not. Funny.

Anyway, it's a predictable, frothy little fairy tale about a man who decides to get the love of his life (Thandie Newton, as beautiful as can be) back by running a marathon (with three weeks to train and requisite race-day injury to boot). There are some good gags, and Pegg does the best with what he's given to work with. Dylan Moran turns in a very cheeky performance as well.

Does he finish? Does he get the girl and win his 5-year-old son's affection? Is the too-good-to-be-true American investment wanker truly too good to true? Do the people that have bet against him get their comeuppance?

You'll just have to run to the cinema (or take a leisurely walk to the video store ... it should be there soon) to find out.