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Thursday 4 July 2013

This is the End


Genre: Comedy
Director: Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen 
Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogan, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel & Jonah Hill
Running: 107 Mins

A gathering of "stoners" and every Seth Rogen cohort you can think of, turn up for James Franco's house warming. Sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you are actually friends with these guys. But unfortunately, a seat in a dark room with a big ass screen is as close as we are going to get to witnessing the adventure of six of the funniest guys in Hollywood (at the moment); Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel. 

Seth Rogen plans a weekend of consistent weed smoking and 3D television with Jay Baruchel. Much to Jay's disappointment, a the change of plan results in the attendance of James Franco's house warming party featuring a bunch of Hollywood comedic personalities; an atmosphere that Jay would have liked to avoid. However Jay isn't forced to endure the vanity of Jonah Hill for too long as an apparent Earth Quake ruptures the centre of Hollywood, opening up the ground and swallowing many victims (most of the party actually). A group of six are barricaded in Franco's house with very little food and not much patience, resulting in the hilarious circumstance that showcases the witty humour and the chemistry involved with each actor. This is the end depends on the bond that each personality share with each other in the real world, carrying that over, resulting in an effortless movie that comes across extremely well rounded, even if it does become stupidly far-fetched toward the end.

If you enjoyed "Superbad" (2008) and "Knocked up" (2007), you will love this. If you don't enjoy crude humour and you are not one for recognising a bunch of movie references when you hear them, well then you will struggle to engage and I for one, pity you. This is the end survives on crude dialogue and a lot of references relating to the career of each actor and movies in general. As seen in Superbad and Knocked up, the cast are serious movie fans, with a premise that sets out to both mock and praise Hollywood movies. This is the end is very similar; but original due to the casts official identity, slagging their own personal experiences in Hollywood, regretting some of their own flicks which makes for great comedy.

If you include cameo's such as Michael Cera, Emma Watson and many more, the overall cast is huge and gives you so much more than the trailer shows us (which is rare might I add). However, the star of the show is James Franco who, following on from his role in Pineapple Express continues to show his comedic side. James Franco is simply hilarious, and partly out shines the "true" comedians if you like.

This is the end is by no means consistently funny, with the last 20 minutes appearing extremely nuts and a bit silly. But we forget these guys are constantly "high", once again going with a "dizzy stoner" premise that worked so well in Pineapple Express and Knocked Up. You will find scenes being noticeably set up for the next. And while Jay Baruchul and Craig Robinson get themselves into some funny situations, it is the back to back bickering from each individual that really makes this movie memorable.

This is the end is no "Superbad" which is not too unfortunate as it succeeds in trying so desperately to move on, however fans of Seth Rogen and co will have such a good time with this one.

Overall: Great cast  - Far-fetched - Not consistently funny - but, when it's funny...it's hilarious

7.5/10

See it if you liked: Superbad, Knocked up and Pineapple Express.