Run, Fat Boy, Run ***

A sweet send-up of sports movies, "Run, Fat Boy, Run" manages to touch all the bases without making us feel like anything was stolen. Unlike, say, "Superhero Movie," also out this week, which takes scenes from the movies it's spoofing and just adds sight gags and fart jokes, "Fat Boy" gives us its own original story which is nevertheless firmly rooted in the genre.

Our story is set in London, where unlikely hero Dennis (Simon Pegg), a women's clothing store security guard, desperately wants to win back the affections of Libby (Thandie Newton, who you may remember from "Crash"), the woman he left at the altar, pregnant, five years earlier. His only contact with her is through visits with his son, which Libby allows, even encourages, which shows you how much nicer a person she is than Dennis. Enter rich American businessman Whit (Hank Azaria), who is quite taken with Libby - she looks like Thandie Newton, remember - and her son, and who wants to be part of their lives.

Whit, who seems to good to be true, is also a marathoner. Dennis decides to compete with him on his own turf by entering the upcoming charity marathon. Never mind that Dennis looks like he might be a wee bit pregnant himself, and has the discipline of a plate of spaghetti. Dennis' best friend gets involved (a standout Dylan Moran). Also his landlord (a funny Harish Patel). Soon we're caught up in the quest for Dennis to actually finish something.

The story works itself out with predictable precision, with colorful performances, clever dialog, and good pacing. The latter is no doubt due to David Schwimmer, of "Friends" fame, in his directorial debut. It's a delightful and often laugh out loud movie, and enjoyable on its own terms, just when you thought that Will Ferrell had sucked the genre dry.

Rated PG-13. 100 Minutes. David Schwimmer - Director, Michael Ian Black - Writer (screenplay) (story), Simon Pegg - Writer (screenplay), Sarah Curtis - Producer, Robert Jones - Producer, Richard Greatrex - Cinematographer, Alex Wurman - Composer, Sophie Becher - Production Designer, Michael Parker - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Picturehouse Entertainment.

Principal actors: Simon Pegg, Hank Azaria, Thandie Newton, Dylan Moran, Matthew Fenton, and Harish Patel.