From the creators of such classic R rated funny films as Pineapple Express, Superbad and Goon comes this hilariously stupid new comedy, This Is the End. When I say stupid I mean that in the most loving way possible; I think when they made this they knew how ridiculous it really is. The special effects are cheap and hokey but that really isn’t the point here; this is all about the laughs and there are plenty to be had. Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, James Franco, and Craig Robinson, talk about a comedy dream team. This is officially Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s first directorial effort and I think they did a great job.
When the world ends, what happens exactly? Who survives? And is survival necessarily a good thing? At the start of the end certain people are taken up into the sky by blue lights emanating from the clouds above. What looks like an alien abduction turns out to be the beginning of the apocalypse, the biblical one. Angels, demons and the devil himself all make a very abrupt entrance and all hell literally breaks loose upon L.A. When the end comes even the rich celebrities have to deal with this hellish new environment. In this case all the celebrities are very funny comedians who barricade themselves in James Franco’s new mansion and hope for the best. With supplies dwindling and emotions running high, not to mention certain bodily fluids covering the house, this is a true test of their ability to survive. When the end comes, all bets are off.
This is no genius comedy but I’ll be damned if I don’t admit it made me laugh, a lot! In an alternate reality a bunch of comedian actors play extremely douchey versions of themselves and it makes for some classic moments. Jonah Hill wears an earring and that’s okay I guess, Seth and the rest are all soft and scared children in grown up form. This is a how-to manual on what not to do in the event of the apocalypse. I also can’t fail to mention at least some of the many cameos riddled throughout. Jason Segal, Michael Cera, Rihanna, Paul Rudd and of course the gorgeous Emma Watson all make hilarious appearances.
This is essentially a two hour movie that lets everyone make fun of everyone and the terrible movies they have starred in all set to the backdrop of an apocalyptic L.A. They make faux sequels to their hit comedies; they talk major trash to one another and eventually are redeemed in a way that is more random than anything I’ve seen in a very long time. You will never see the ending coming and for this reason the movie really comes to a great close. I’m telling you… random, but funny! If you can just turn the stingy movie critic off in your brain then you should find this just as wonderful as I did. If you are not a fan of the Apatow crew than avoid this movie like the plague (Ha, bible reference!).
I feel as though any weaknesses this film has it somehow revels in it, and makes it work in a positive light. The stupid humor is upfront and very apparent and that’s how it was intended. I really can’t think of anything that hurts it, nothing specific at least. Maybe a better story could have helped, but again I don’t think they wanted a real in depth comedy. All in all it’s stupid but funny as all get out. A group of 6 hilarious actors brought together to survive the apocalypse, that just has funny written all over it. I think many will hate it because of its stupidity and trust me, that is an easy thing to do with this one, but I was able to accept the dumb and in doing so the funny came in a plenty. It was certainly nice to see Franco in a movie that wasn’t completely terrible like Springbreakers, what a sh*t fest that was. Come this weekend it’s all about Man of Steel but if you want to see something before that then maybe see This Is the End.
Rated R for: crude and sexual content throughout, brief graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug use and some violence
Run time: 107 minutes
After Credits Scene: None
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Jason Segal, Paul Rudd
Directed By: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Out of 5 Nerdskulls
Story: 3/ Acting: 3/ Directing: 4/ Visuals: 4
OVERALL: 4 Nerdskulls
Check out the trailer below:
