Where ‘Shaun of the Dead’ became an engrossing, unexpected zombie horror/comedy, ‘Run Fatboy Run’ becomes a by-the-book date movie, which, though still entertaining, becomes less and less engaging as it goes on.

“Run Fatboy Run” is a comedy about true love, commitment, and growing up—eventually. Simon Pegg (‘Shaun of the Dead,’ ‘Hot Fuzz’) plays Dennis, a regular guy stubbornly coming to terms with his adult responsibilities. After leaving his pregnant fiancee Libby (Thandie Newton) on their wedding day, Dennis spends the next five years unsuccessfully trying to win her back.

When Dennis learns that Libby has been seeing a suave American businessman named Whit (Hank Azaria), Dennis enrolls in a charity marathon to prove to Libby that he’s changed and that Whit isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be.

At first the plot seems strangely similar to the love story in “Shaun of the Dead.” Pegg’s role is that of the undependable boyfriend who constantly teeters on the edge of winning his love interest’s heart and losing her completely. But once the plot really starts rolling, the similarities stop. Where “Shaun of the Dead” became an engrossing, unexpected zombie horror/comedy, “Run Fatboy Run” becomes a by-the-book date movie, which, though still entertaining, becomes less and less engaging as it goes on.

The film is co-written by Michael Ian Black, who was a writer and producer of the short-lived, oddball comedy “Stella” which aired on Comedy Central. Both “Run Fatboy Run” and “Stella” share the same sense of fragmented plot progression. In “Stella” the frequently nonsensical jumps from scene to scene and loosely related plot points were purposeful and expected. They’re concepts that work fine for a half-hour time slot. In a feature length film, though, they serve as little but distractions.

Thankfully, the loveable characters and simple but amusing humor are captivating enough to carry the film. The jokes often rely on goofy physical antics for laughs, which work extremely well for the concept.

A few examples include the popping of a ridiculously large blister on the bottom of Dennis’ foot, Harish Patel’s playing of Dennis’ landlord-turned-trainer who is constantly hitting people with a metal spatula, and a fight between Dennis and his best friend Gordon (Dylan Moran). The gags are nothing complex, but they don’t really need to be.

“Run Fatboy Run” was directed by David Schwimmer, better known as Dr. Ross Geller on the popular television show “Friends.” Much of Schwimmer’s directorial experience comes from the small screen in the form of sitcoms including “Friends” and “Joey.”

It comes as no surprise, then, that “Run Fatboy Run” plays like an extended sitcom. The plot is thin, the acting is passable, and the gags are slapstick, but it’s a short and largely entertaining film that will satisfy audiences looking for just a bit of fun.

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