Hot Fuzz leaps to top of UK film box office

LONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) Wacky police comedy ''Hot Fuzz'' vaulted straight to the top of the British box office on its opening weekend, taking as much as 5.9 million pounds including previews, according to Screen International.

The story of an over-achieving cop in a sleepy crime-free village -- written by the authors of ''Shaun of the Dead'' -- leapfrogged ''Charlotte's Web'' which stayed in second place.

Third, down from top, was Hugh Grant's portrayal of a washed-up 80s pop star in ''Music and Lyrics'' in which he and Drew Barrymore grow close as they race to write a pop hit in record time.

Fourth, down one place, was ''Epic Movie,'' a parody of the past two years' screen blockbusters made along the lines of ''Date Movie'' and ''Scary Movie.'' Fifth, up two, was kids' fantasy tale ''Arthur and the Invisibles'' with Leonardo DiCaprio in ''Blood Diamond'' unchanged at sixth.

Seventh, down from fifth, was the school-based drama for which Dame Judi Dench has been nominated for Best Actress in this month's Oscars, ''Notes on a Scandal.'' At eight, down from four, was ''Silence of the Lambs'' prequel ''Hannibal Rising'' in which a young Hannibal watches his parents die violently in eastern Europe at the end of World War Two.

The week's only other newcomer, ''Because I said So,'' a romantic comedy starring Diane Keaton as a meddling mother trying to find a mate for her youngest daughter, came in at nine.

Tenth down from eight was ''Dreamgirls.'' Reuters PDS VP0440